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2019 GT Tested Reader Survey: Award Winners Revealed

WELCOME TO OUR SUPER SWEET 16! This year we celebrate the 16th anniversary of the GT Tested Reader Survey awards with a grand salute to the travel industry’s top performers. Our readers—experienced, frequent, and discerning travelers—voted across airlines, airports, hotels, loyalty programs, credit cards and more. Below we unveil the winners of our 2019 survey and highlight the standout brands and services that earned their spot on the winners’ list.

Raymond Duncan once said, “The best substitute for experience is being sixteen.” At 16, we lean on the real-world experience of our readers to identify the best in travel. From airlines that excel in service to airports that set the standard for passenger experience, these winners reflect what matters most to travelers.

This year’s airline winners read like a who’s who of the industry. For the fifth consecutive year, Singapore Airlines takes home Best Overall Airline in the World. The oneworld alliance claims Best Airline Alliance for the tenth year running, and the Airbus A350 earns the nod for Best Aircraft Type.

American Airlines captured multiple honors, including Best Airline Website (AA.com) for the third straight year, Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific, also for the third year, Best Airline for Domestic First Class for the fourth time, Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service for the AAdvantage program (two-time winner), and Best Airline App for the second consecutive year.

New this year, Best Airline Lounges goes to Delta Sky Club, while Delta also wins for Best Flight Attendant Uniforms and Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program (SkyMiles Diamond Medallion).

Lufthansa is recognized as Best Airline for International First Class, and Turkish Airlines claims Best Airline for Business Class for the third year. Turkish also earns Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers (Turkish Airlines Corporate Club) and Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents.

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ASIANA AIRLINES
Best Airline for Onboard Service and Best Airline for Flight Attendants PHOTO: © ASIANA AIRLINES

Three carriers celebrate their 16th wins: Asiana Airlines for Best Airline for Onboard Service and Best Airline for Flight Attendants; South African Airways as Best Airline in Africa; and United Airlines’ MileagePlus as Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program. MileagePlus also takes Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program for the seventh consecutive year. LifeMiles from Avianca wins Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption.

Alitalia and Air France each appear twice among the winners. Alitalia earns Best Airline Cuisine for the 10th year and Best Business-Class Seat Design for the second time. Air France wins Best First-Class Seat Design and Best Airline for New Service Launch for the Paris (CDG) to Dallas (DFW) route.

EL AL Israel Airlines secures Best Airline for Security for the 13th consecutive year. Regional winners include Air Canada (Best Airline in North America), LATAM Airlines Group (Best Airline to South America), Aeromexico (Best Airline in Mexico), TAP Air Portugal (Best Airline in Europe), Virgin Australia (Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand), Air Tahiti Nui (Best Airline in the South Pacific), LOT Polish Airlines (Best Airline in Eastern Europe), Emirates (Best Airline in the Middle East), China Airlines and Hainan Airlines (regional leaders in North Asia and China), Air India (Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India) and Japan Airlines (Best Airline to Japan and Best Trans-Pacific Airline in selected categories). Brussels Airlines is named Best Trans-Atlantic Airline.

Airports are the gateways that shape travel experiences. Chicago O’Hare International Airport earns its 16th win as Best Airport in North America. Singapore Changi Airport is named Best Overall Airport in the World for the fourth time and also wins Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia. Incheon International Airport takes Best Airport in Asia for the third straight year.

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SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT
Best Overall Airport in the World
PHOTO: © SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT

Other airport winners include Addis Ababa Bole (Best Airport in Africa), Amsterdam Schiphol and Munich Airport (European honors), Dubai Duty Free (Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World and in the Middle East) and Hamad International Airport in Doha (Best Airport in the Middle East). El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá is Best Airport in South America; Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta wins Best Airport Dining; Miami International wins Best Airport Shopping; and Ontario International Airport in California is the Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport.

Hotels and hotel chains light up the celebration. The Ritz-Carlton wins both Best International Hotel Chain and Best Domestic Hotel Chain for the fifth straight year. Lotte Hotel Seoul is Best MICE Hotel and Best Hotel in South Korea. IHG Rewards Club takes Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World for the 15th year and also wins Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program, with IHG.com named Best Hotel Website.

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THE RITZ-CARLTON
Best International Hotel Chain and Best Domestic Hotel Chain PHOTO: © THE RITZ-CARLTON

Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt lead in frequent-stay categories for elite programs and award redemptions. Moxy Hotels debuts as Best Lifestyle Hotel, and The Peninsula Beverly Hills earns its ninth consecutive win as Best Hotel in the United States. International winners include Mandarin Oriental, Taipei (Best Hotel in Asia), Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski in Munich (Best Hotel in Europe) and The Address Hotel Downtown Dubai (Best Individual Hotel in the World). Hilton wins Best Hotel App.

Among travel providers and services, Briggs & Riley scores its 10th consecutive Best Luggage Brand award, while Boingo Wireless is a nine-time Best WiFi Service winner. Volvo is recognized for Best Overseas Delivery Program and Hertz for Best Car Rental Company.

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Best Airport Parking
PHOTO: © THE PARKING SPOT

New categories in 2019 include Best Airport Parking, awarded to The Parking Spot, and Best Small- to Mid-Sized Business Program, won by IHG Business Edge. Seoul is named Best MICE City for the fifth consecutive year, and India receives recognition as Best Tourism Destination.

Credit card winners round out the list of travel essentials. The United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase earns Best Overall Credit Card and Best Credit Card Rewards Program for the eighth year. The United Explorer Card from Chase and Alaska Airlines’ Visa Signature Card from Bank of America are among co-branded cards recognized for redemptions, benefits and promotions. Citi Entertainment receives Best Credit Card Special Events, and Capital One Spark Miles for Business takes Best Small Business Credit Card. Marriott Bonvoy co-branded cards dominate frequent-stay affinity categories.

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PHOTO: © UNITED

Wines on the Wing, our annual airline wine competition judged by professional wine experts, highlights the best in-flight selections. American Airlines takes Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing and other North American wine honors. Etihad earns top business-class wine awards, and oneworld is named Best Alliance Wines on the Wing.

THE VOTING PROCESS

Open-ended ballots ran in subscriber copies of Global Traveler and online from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, 2019. Ballots were distributed via direct mail and email. Ballots with less than 50 percent of fields completed were disqualified. More than 20,000 qualified ballots were returned. Employees of FX Express Publications, Inc., and affiliated members of the travel industry were not allowed to participate.

AWARD WINNERS 2019

Best Overall Airline in the World

  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. United Airlines
  3. Delta Air Lines
  4. Swiss International Air Lines
  5. Asiana Airlines
  6. Qatar Airways
  7. British Airways
  8. Emirates
  9. Korean Air
  10. Lufthansa

Best Airline Alliance

  1. oneworld
  2. Star Alliance
  3. SkyTeam

Best Aircraft Type

  1. Airbus A350
  2. Boeing 787
  3. Boeing 777
  4. Airbus A330
  5. Boeing 747
  6. Airbus A380
  7. Airbus A340
  8. Boeing 767
  9. Boeing 737

Best Airline Website

  1. AA.com
  2. delta.com
  3. united.com
  4. alaskaair.com
  5. southwest.com
  6. britishairways.com
  7. jetblue.com
  8. china-airlines.com
  9. qatarairways.com
  10. hongkongairlines.com

Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific

  1. American Airlines
  2. United Airlines
  3. Japan Airlines
  4. China Southern Airlines
  5. Hainan Airlines
  6. All Nippon Airways
  7. China Eastern Airlines
  8. China Airlines
  9. Xiamen Airlines
  10. Hong Kong Airlines

Best Airline for Business Class

  1. Turkish Airlines
  2. Singapore Airlines
  3. United Airlines
  4. Alitalia
  5. Qatar Airways
  6. Delta Air Lines
  7. Asiana Airlines
  8. China Airlines
  9. Lufthansa
  10. Hong Kong Airlines

Best Airline for International First Class

  1. Lufthansa
  2. Emirates
  3. Etihad Airways
  4. Cathay Pacific Airways
  5. Qatar Airways
  6. Singapore Airlines
  7. Swiss International Air Lines
  8. Korean Air
  9. Japan Airlines
  10. Air France

Best Airline for Domestic First Class

  1. American Airlines
  2. United Airlines
  3. Delta Air Lines
  4. Alaska Airlines

Best Airline for Onboard Service

  1. Asiana Airlines
  2. Singapore Airlines
  3. Turkish Airlines
  4. Emirates
  5. LATAM Airlines Group
  6. Korean Air
  7. Qatar Airways
  8. South African Airways
  9. Swiss International Air Lines
  10. Hong Kong Airlines

Best Airline Lounges

  1. Delta Sky Club
  2. American Airlines Admirals Club
  3. United Polaris Club
  4. Alaska Board Room
  5. Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club
  6. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
  7. Star Alliance Lounges
  8. British Airways Lounges
  9. American Express Centurion Lounges

Best Airline for Flight Attendants

  1. Asiana Airlines
  2. Singapore Airlines
  3. Lufthansa
  4. Etihad Airways
  5. Emirates
  6. Hong Kong Airlines
  7. LATAM Airlines Group
  8. Qatar Airways
  9. Korean Air
  10. South African Airways

Best Flight Attendant Uniforms

  1. Delta Air Lines
  2. Air France
  3. Singapore Airlines
  4. Emirates
  5. Asiana Airlines
  6. Turkish Airlines
  7. Korean Air
  8. Etihad Airways
  9. China Airlines
  10. Qatar Airways

Best Airline Cuisine

  1. Alitalia
  2. Swiss International Air Lines
  3. Brussels Airlines
  4. Air France
  5. Singapore Airlines
  6. Lufthansa
  7. Turkish Airlines
  8. Etihad Airways
  9. Qatar Airways
  10. Asiana Airlines

Best Airline for Security

  1. EL AL Israel Airlines
  2. Swiss International Air Lines
  3. British Airways
  4. Lufthansa
  5. United Airlines
  6. Austrian Airlines

Best First-Class Seat Design

  1. Air France
  2. All Nippon Airways
  3. Singapore Airlines
  4. Qantas
  5. Qatar Airways
  6. American Airlines
  7. British Airways
  8. Emirates
  9. Japan Airlines
  10. Etihad Airways

Best Business-Class Seat Design

  1. Alitalia
  2. Asiana Airlines
  3. Singapore Airlines
  4. LATAM Airlines Group
  5. Turkish Airlines
  6. Swiss International Air Lines
  7. Hong Kong Airlines
  8. Qantas
  9. China Airlines
  10. Cathay Pacific Airways

Best Airline for New Service Launch

  1. Air France (CDG to DFW)
  2. American Airlines (CLT to MUC)
  3. British Airways (PIT to LHR)
  4. KLM (BOS to AMS)
  5. Singapore Airlines (SIN to EWR)
  6. Air New Zealand (AKL to ORD)
  7. United Airlines (SFO to AMS)
  8. Air India (BOM to JFK)
  9. American Airlines (CLT to NRT)
  10. TAP Air Portugal (LIS to SFO)

Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers

  1. Turkish Airlines Corporate Club
  2. American Airlines Business Extra
  3. United PerksPlus
  4. American Express Platinum Card
  5. Delta SkyBonus
  6. Air Canada Corporate Rewards
  7. Lufthansa PartnerPlus
  8. Air France SkyBlue
  9. Korean Air KAL BIZ
  10. British Airways One Business

Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program

  1. United MileagePlus
  2. American Airlines AAdvantage
  3. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
  4. Lufthansa Miles & More
  5. Air Canada Aeroplan
  6. JetBlue TrueBlue
  7. Southwest Rapid Rewards
  8. British Airways Executive Club
  9. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program

  1. Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion
  2. United MileagePlus Premier Executive 1K
  3. American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum
  4. Alaska Mileage Plan MVP Gold
  5. HawaiianMiles Pualani Platinum
  6. Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred
  7. Frontier Early Returns Summit Level
  8. JetBlue TrueBlue

Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program

  1. United MileagePlus
  2. American Airlines AAdvantage
  3. Delta SkyMiles
  4. Alaska Mileage Plan
  5. LATAM Fidelidade
  6. Air Canada Aeroplan
  7. LifeMiles (Avianca)
  8. Southwest Rapid Rewards
  9. HawaiianMiles
  10. Frontier Early Returns

Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption

  1. LifeMiles (Avianca)
  2. Air Canada Aeroplan
  3. American Airlines AAdvantage
  4. United MileagePlus
  5. Delta SkyMiles
  6. Southwest Rapid Rewards
  7. LATAM Fidelidade
  8. HawaiianMiles
  9. Frontier Early Returns

Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service

  1. American Airlines AAdvantage
  2. United MileagePlus
  3. Air Canada Aeroplan
  4. Delta SkyMiles
  5. Alaska Mileage Plan
  6. LATAM Pass
  7. LifeMiles (Avianca)
  8. Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian-Mile

Best Airline in North America

  1. Air Canada
  2. American Airlines
  3. Delta Air Lines
  4. United Airlines
  5. JetBlue
  6. Alaska Airlines
  7. Frontier Airlines
  8. Porter Airlines
  9. Southwest Airlines

Best Airline to South America

  1. LATAM Airlines Group
  2. Avianca
  3. Aerolineas Argentinas

Best Airline in Mexico

  1. Aeromexico
  2. Interjet
  3. VivaAerobus
  4. Volaris

Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand

  1. Virgin Australia
  2. Qantas
  3. Air New Zealand
  4. Air Tahiti Nui
  5. Fiji Airways

Best Airline in the South Pacific

  1. Air Tahiti Nui
  2. Fiji Airways
  3. Virgin Australia
  4. Qantas
  5. Air New Zealand

Best Airline in Europe

  1. TAP Air Portugal
  2. Brussels Airlines
  3. Austrian Airlines
  4. Swiss International Air Lines
  5. Lufthansa
  6. Virgin Atlantic Airways
  7. British Airways
  8. Iberia
  9. Aer Lingus
  10. Alitalia

Best Airline in Eastern Europe

  1. LOT Polish Airlines
  2. Aeroflot
  3. S7 Airlines
  4. Transaero
  5. Wizz Air
  6. Adria Airways
  7. Croatia Airlines
  8. Tarom Romanian Airlines

Best Airline in Africa

  1. South African Airways
  2. Kenya Airways
  3. Air Namibia
  4. Air Seychelles
  5. Royal Air Maroc
  6. Air Mauritius
  7. Ethiopian Airlines
  8. TAAG Angola Airlines
  9. Mango
  10. Kulula

Best Airline in the Middle East

  1. Emirates
  2. Qatar Airways
  3. Etihad Airways
  4. Saudi Arabian Airlines
  5. EL AL Israel Airlines
  6. Royal Jordanian
  7. Middle East Airlines
  8. Gulf Air
  9. Royal Air Maroc
  10. EgyptAir

Best Airline in North Asia (excluding China)

  1. China Airlines
  2. EVA Air
  3. Asiana Airlines
  4. Korean Air
  5. Japan Airlines
  6. Cathay Pacific Airways
  7. Dragonair
  8. All Nippon Airways
  9. Hong Kong Airlines

Best Airline in China

  1. Hainan Airlines
  2. Air China
  3. China Southern Airlines
  4. Shenzhen Airlines
  5. China Eastern Airlines
  6. Juneyao Airlines
  7. Shandong Airlines
  8. Spring Airlines
  9. Sichuan Airlines
  10. Tianjin Airlines

Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India

  1. Air India
  2. Indigo
  3. SpiceJet
  4. SriLankan Airlines
  5. Mihin Lanka
  6. Air Astana
  7. Biman Bangladesh Airlines
  8. PIA

Best Airline to Japan

  1. Japan Airlines
  2. All Nippon Airways
  3. American Airlines
  4. United Airlines
  5. Delta Air Lines

Best Trans-Atlantic Airline

  1. Brussels Airlines
  2. TAP Air Portugal
  3. American Airlines
  4. United Airlines
  5. Swiss International Air Lines
  6. Air France
  7. Lufthansa
  8. Delta Air Lines
  9. British Airways
  10. Austrian Airlines

Best Trans-Pacific Airline

  1. Japan Airlines
  2. Asiana Airlines
  3. Singapore Airlines
  4. China Southern Airlines
  5. Korean Air
  6. Hong Kong Airlines
  7. United Airlines
  8. China Eastern Airlines
  9. Delta Air Lines

Best Overall Airport in the World

  1. Singapore Changi Airport
  2. Incheon International Airport
  3. Hamad International Airport, Doha
  4. Munich Airport
  5. Shanghai International Airport
  6. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
  7. Frankfurt am Main Airport
  8. Beijing Capital International Airport
  9. Hong Kong International Airport
  10. Tokyo Haneda International Airport

Best Airport in North America

  1. Chicago O’Hare International Airport
  2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  3. Denver International Airport
  4. Miami International Airport
  5. San Francisco International Airport
  6. George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston
  7. Portland International Airport
  8. Pittsburgh International Airport
  9. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
  10. Newark Liberty International Airport

Best Airport in Asia

  1. Incheon International Airport
  2. Singapore Changi Airport
  3. Taipei Taoyuan International Airport
  4. Tokyo Haneda International Airport
  5. Osaka Kansai International Airport
  6. Hong Kong International Airport
  7. Kuala Lumpur International Airport
  8. Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
  9. Tokyo Narita International Airport
  10. Beijing Capital International Airport

Best Airport in Africa

  1. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
  2. King Shaka International Airport Durban
  3. Cape Town International Airport
  4. Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos
  5. Port Elizabeth International Airport
  6. O.R. Tambo International Airport Johannesburg
  7. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Mauritius International Airport
  8. Cairo International Airport
  9. Seychelles International Airport

Best Airport in Europe

  1. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
  2. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
  3. Zürich Kloten International Airport
  4. Frankfurt am Main Airport
  5. Munich Airport
  6. Brussels Zaventem Airport
  7. Vienna International Airport
  8. London Heathrow Airport
  9. Copenhagen Airport
  10. Hamburg Airport

Best Airport in the Middle East

  1. Hamad International Airport, Doha
  2. Dubai International Airport
  3. Bahrain International Airport
  4. Abu Dhabi International Airport
  5. Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport Medina
  6. Muscat International Airport
  7. King Khalid International Airport Riyadh
  8. King Fahd International Airport Dammam
  9. Al Maktoum Dubai World Central

Best Airport in South America

  1. El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá
  2. Jorge Chávez International Airport
  3. Quito International Airport
  4. José Joaquín de Olmedo Guayaquil International Airport
  5. São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport
  6. Ministro Pistarini Buenos Aires International Airport
  7. Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez Santiago International Airport
  8. Rio de Janeiro International Airport
  9. Simón Bolívar Caracas International Airport

Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents

  1. Turkish Airlines
  2. Singapore Airlines
  3. United Airlines
  4. EVA Air
  5. Lufthansa
  6. Delta Air Lines
  7. Asiana Airlines
  8. Qatar Airways
  9. Emirates
  10. Etihad Airways

Best Airport Dining

  1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  2. Singapore Changi Airport
  3. Hamad International Airport
  4. Brussels Zaventem Airport
  5. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
  6. London Heathrow Airport
  7. Vienna International Airport
  8. Los Angeles International Airport
  9. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
  10. Frankfurt am Main Airport

Best Airport Shopping

  1. Miami International Airport
  2. Dubai International Airport
  3. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
  4. Incheon International Airport
  5. Hamad International Airport, Doha
  6. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  7. London Heathrow Airport
  8. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
  9. Hong Kong International Airport
  10. Zürich Kloten International Airport

Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport

  1. Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California
  2. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
  3. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
  4. Los Angeles International Airport
  5. Dallas Love Field Airport
  6. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
  7. Nashville International Airport
  8. Portland International Airport
  9. William P. Hobby Airport, Houston
  10. Oakland International Airport

Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World

  1. Dubai Duty Free
  2. Incheon International Airport
  3. Hamad International Airport, Doha
  4. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
  5. Frankfurt am Main Airport
  6. Singapore Changi Airport
  7. Abu Dhabi International Airport
  8. Hong Kong International Airport
  9. Vancouver International Airport
  10. London Heathrow Airport

Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia

  1. Singapore Changi Airport
  2. Incheon International Airport
  3. Taipei Taoyuan International Airport
  4. Tokyo Haneda International Airport
  5. Osaka Kansai International Airport
  6. Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
  7. Kuala Lumpur International Airport
  8. Tokyo Narita International Airport
  9. Hong Kong International Airport
  10. Beijing Capital International Airport

Best Duty-Free Shopping in Africa

  1. Seychelles International Airport
  2. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
  3. King Shaka International Airport Durban
  4. Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos
  5. Port Elizabeth International Airport
  6. O.R. Tambo International Airport Johannesburg
  7. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Mauritius International Airport
  8. Cairo International Airport
  9. Cape Town International Airport

Best Duty-Free Shopping in Europe

  1. Munich Airport
  2. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
  3. London Heathrow Airport
  4. Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Rome
  5. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
  6. Frankfurt am Main Airport
  7. Zürich Kloten International Airport
  8. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
  9. Brussels Zaventem Airport
  10. Vienna International Airport

Best Duty-Free Shopping in the Middle East

  1. Dubai Duty Free
  2. Hamad International Airport, Doha
  3. Bahrain Duty Free
  4. Muscat International Airport
  5. Amman Queen Alia International Airport
  6. Abu Dhabi International Airport
  7. King Khalid International Airport Riyadh
  8. Al Maktoum Dubai World Central

Best International Hotel Chain

  1. The Ritz-Carlton
  2. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
  3. Westin Hotels & Resorts
  4. Conrad Hotels
  5. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
  6. The Peninsula Hotels
  7. Marriott Hotels
  8. Four Seasons
  9. Park Hyatt
  10. Waldorf Astoria

Best Domestic Hotel Chain

  1. The Ritz-Carlton
  2. Waldorf Astoria
  3. JW Marriott
  4. Park Hyatt
  5. Hilton Hotels Corp.
  6. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
  7. Westin Hotels & Resorts
  8. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
  9. W Hotels
  10. Four Seasons

Best Lifestyle Hotel

  1. Moxy
  2. Andaz
  3. Aloft Hotels
  4. Vida Hotels + Resorts
  5. Element Hotels
  6. W Hotels
  7. Affinia Hotels
  8. Hotel Indigo
  9. Kimpton Hotels + Restaurants

Best MICE Hotel

  1. Lotte Hotel Seoul
  2. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
  3. Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Los Angeles
  4. Aspen Meadows Resort
  5. Hilton London Metropole
  6. Sheraton Ankara Hotel & Convention Center
  7. Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin
  8. Kempinski Hotel Wuxi
  9. Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
  10. The Gleneagles

Best Hotel Websites

  1. IHG.com
  2. peninsula.com
  3. ritzcarlton.com
  4. marriott.com
  5. hilton.com
  6. loews.com
  7. shangri-la.com
  8. mandarinoriental.com
  9. hyatt.com

Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World

  1. IHG Rewards Club
  2. Marriott Bonvoy
  3. Hilton Honors
  4. Wyndham Rewards
  5. World of Hyatt
  6. Le Club AccorHotels
  7. Loews YouFirst
  8. Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club
  9. Radisson Rewards
  10. I Prefer Hotel Club

Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program

  1. Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite
  2. World of Hyatt Platinum
  3. Hilton Honors Diamond
  4. Le Club AccorHotels Platinum
  5. IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite
  6. Wyndham Rewards ByRequest
  7. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards
  8. Sol Meliá MAS Rewards
  9. Choice Privileges Platinum

Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program

  1. IHG Rewards Club
  2. Marriott Bonvoy
  3. Hilton Honors
  4. World of Hyatt
  5. Le Club AccorHotels
  6. Choice Privileges
  7. Wyndham Rewards
  8. Omni Select Guest
  9. Sol Meliá MAS Rewards
  10. Radisson Rewards

Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption

  1. World of Hyatt
  2. Marriott Bonvoy
  3. IHG Rewards Club
  4. Hilton Honors
  5. Leaders Club, Leading Hotels of the World
  6. Sol Meliá MAS Rewards
  7. Radisson Rewards
  8. Wyndham Rewards
  9. Omni Select Guest
  10. Best Western Rewards

Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service

  1. Marriott Bonvoy
  2. Le Club AccorHotels
  3. IHG Rewards Club
  4. Sol Meliá MAS Rewards
  5. World of Hyatt
  6. Hilton Honors
  7. Radisson Rewards
  8. Leaders Club, Leading Hotels of the World
  9. Sonesta Travel Pass

Best Hotel in the United States

  1. The Peninsula Beverly Hills
  2. The Peninsula Chicago
  3. The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
  4. Montage Beverly Hills
  5. Terranea Resort
  6. Mandarin Oriental, New York
  7. Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas
  8. Four Seasons, Washington, D.C.
  9. Wentworth Mansion
  10. The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown
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Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
Best Hotel in Asia
PHOTO: © MANDARIN ORIENTAL, TAIPEI

Best Hotel in Asia

  1. Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
  2. SIGNIEL Seoul, Lotte Tower
  3. The Peninsula Bangkok
  4. Four Seasons Seoul
  5. The Peninsula Hong Kong
  6. The Peninsula Shanghai
  7. The Mulia, Bali
  8. Four Seasons Bali at Sayan, Indonesia
  9. The Upper House, Hong Kong
  10. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Best Hotel in South Korea

  1. Lotte Hotel Seoul
  2. Grand Hyatt Seoul
  3. SIGNIEL Seoul, Lotte Tower
  4. The Plaza Seoul
  5. The Shilla, Seoul
  6. Four Seasons Seoul
  7. InterContinental Seoul
  8. The Ritz-Carlton Seoul
  9. The Westin Chosun
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BURJ AL ARAB JUMEIRAH Best Hotel in the Middle East PHOTO: © JUMEIRAH

Best Hotel in the Middle East

  1. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
  2. One&Only Royal Mirage
  3. Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Hotel
  4. Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
  5. The St. Regis Dubai
  6. Four Seasons Bahrain Bay
  7. Al Maha Resort & Spa
  8. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
  9. Emirates Palace Hotel
  10. The Palace Downtown Dubai

Best Hotel in Europe

  1. Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, Munich
  2. Le Meurice Paris
  3. Hotel de Russie Rome
  4. Belmond Hotel Cipriani, Venice
  5. Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Place, Budapest
  6. Four Seasons Hotel Ritz, Lisbon
  7. Merrion Hotel Dublin
  8. Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at The Bosphorus
  9. Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome
  10. Le Bristol Paris

Best European Hotel Chain

  1. St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
  2. Kempinski Hotels
  3. The Ritz-Carlton
  4. The Luxury Collection
  5. Westin Hotels & Resorts
  6. W Hotels
  7. Marriott Hotels
  8. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
  9. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
  10. Conrad Hotels

Best Hotel Chain in Asia

  1. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
  2. Grand Hyatt
  3. Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
  4. Mandarin Oriental
  5. Park Hyatt
  6. The Peninsula Hotels
  7. Four Seasons
  8. Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces
  9. Conrad Hotels
  10. Langham Hotels

Best Hotel Chain in Latin America

  1. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
  2. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
  3. Westin Hotels & Resorts
  4. Sol Meliá Hotels
  5. Barceló Hotels & Resorts
  6. Fiesta Americana
  7. Accor Hospitality
  8. The Ritz-Carlton
  9. Riu Hotels & Resorts
  10. Caesar Park Hotels

Best Hotel Chain in Mexico

  1. Fiesta Americana
  2. Sheraton Hotels
  3. W Hotels
  4. Westin Hotels
  5. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
  6. Barceló Hotels & Resorts
  7. Riu Hotels & Resorts

Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East

  1. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts
  2. The Ritz-Carlton
  3. The Address Hotels + Resorts
  4. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
  5. Marriott International
  6. Four Seasons
  7. Kempinski Hotels
  8. W Hotels
  9. Raffles Hotels
  10. Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts

Best Individual Hotel in the World

  1. The Address Hotel Downtown Dubai
  2. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
  3. St. Regis Bora Bora
  4. Hotel de Crillon, Paris
  5. Wentworth Mansion
  6. The Langham, Chicago
  7. Corinthia Hotel London
  8. The Peninsula Beverly Hills
  9. Montage Laguna Beach
  10. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

Best Overseas Delivery Program

  1. Volvo
  2. BMW
  3. Porsche
  4. Mercedes-Benz

Best Car Rental Company

  1. Hertz
  2. National Car Rental
  3. Avis
  4. Budget
  5. Sixt
  6. Alamo
  7. Enterprise
  8. Dollar
  9. Thrifty
  10. Payless

Best Airport Parking

  1. The Parking Spot
  2. Wally Park
  3. ParkRideFly
  4. AirportParking
  5. ParkingConnection
  6. AirportParkingNet
  7. APCParking
  8. Chauntry
  9. PreFlight

Best Tourism Destination

  1. India
  2. Ireland
  3. Australia
  4. South Africa
  5. Spain
  6. Kenya
  7. Israel
  8. Italy
  9. Brazil
  10. Mexico

Best MICE City

  1. Seoul
  2. Dubai
  3. Singapore
  4. London
  5. Abu Dhabi
  6. Doha
  7. Paris
  8. San Francisco
  9. Sydney
  10. Hong Kong

Best WiFi Service

  1. Boingo Wireless
  2. AT&T Wireless
  3. Verizon Wireless
  4. iPass
  5. U.S. Mobile
  6. GoGo Inflight

Best Luggage Brand

  1. Briggs & Riley
  2. Tumi
  3. Travelpro
  4. Hartman
  5. Samsonite
  6. Delsey
  7. Swiss Army
  8. Rimowa
  9. Victorinox
  10. Louis Vuitton

Best Hotel App

  1. Hilton Hotels
  2. Hyatt Hotels
  3. Hotel Tonight
  4. Marriott Hotels
  5. Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
  6. Four Seasons
  7. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
  8. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
  9. The Ritz-Carlton

Best Airline App

  1. American Airlines
  2. United Airlines
  3. Delta Air Lines
  4. Asiana Airlines
  5. Singapore Airlines
  6. Emirates
  7. Lufthansa
  8. Swiss International Air Lines
  9. Alaska Airlines
  10. Qatar Airways

Best Small- to Mid-Sized Business Program

  1. IHG Business Edge
  2. Delta Edge
  3. American Airlines BusinessExtra
  4. Marriott Bonvoy
  5. Hilton Hotels Corp.
  6. Alaska Airlines
  7. United PerksPlus
  8. American Express Platinum
  9. Hyatt Hotels

Best Overall Credit Card

  1. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
  2. Delta SkyMiles Gold Card from American Express
  3. United Explorer Card from Chase
  4. American Express Blue Card
  5. Chase Ink Card
  6. American Express Platinum Card
  7. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
  8. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
  9. Escape Card from Discover
  10. Plum Card from American Express Open

Best Small-Business Credit Card

  1. Capital One Spark Miles for Business
  2. United Explorer Card from Chase
  3. American Express Business Platinum
  4. Chase Ink Cash Business Preferred
  5. American Express Business Platinum Card from Open
  6. Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Credit Card from American Express
  7. Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Credit Card from American Express
  8. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express
  9. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard

Best Credit Card Special Events

  1. Citi Entertainment
  2. Inside Access from Chase
  3. Chase Sapphire
  4. MasterCard Priceless Cities
  5. Chase Experiences
  6. American Express

Best Credit Cards Rewards Program

  1. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
  2. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase
  3. Membership Rewards Program from American Express
  4. Capital One Venture Rewards
  5. Delta SkyMiles by American Express
  6. United Explorer Card from Chase
  7. Barclays Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard
  8. Wells Fargo Propel American Express
  9. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card

  1. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase
  2. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express
  3. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
  4. World of Hyatt Card from Chase
  5. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
  6. Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
  7. Choice Privileges Visa Signature
  8. IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions

  1. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express
  2. Hilton Honors Card from American Express
  3. Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
  4. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase
  5. World of Hyatt Credit Card
  6. Choice Privileges Visa Signature
  7. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits

  1. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express
  2. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase
  3. Hilton Honors Card from American Express
  4. World of Hyatt Credit Card
  5. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
  6. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions

  1. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase
  2. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express
  3. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
  4. World of Hyatt Card
  5. Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
  6. Hilton Honors Card American Express
  7. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card

  1. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
  2. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
  3. Delta SkyMiles Card from American Express
  4. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
  5. British Airways Visa Signature Card
  6. United Explorer Card from Chase
  7. Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card
  8. JetBlue American Express Card
  9. Lufthansa Miles & More Card

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions

  1. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
  2. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
  3. United Explorer Card from Chase
  4. JetBlue American Express Card
  5. British Airways Visa Signature Card
  6. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
  7. Delta SkyMiles by American Express
  8. Lufthansa Miles & More Card
  9. Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits

  1. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
  2. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
  3. Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
  4. United Explorer Card from Chase
  5. Aeromexico Club Premier La Tarjeta from American Express
  6. British Airways Visa Signature Card
  7. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
  8. Lufthansa Miles & More Card
  9. JetBlue American Express Card
  10. Southwest Rapid Rewards Card

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions

  1. United Explorer Card from Chase
  2. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
  3. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
  4. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
  5. Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
  6. British Airways Visa Signature Card
  7. JetBlue American Express Card
  8. Southwest Rapid Rewards Card

Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card

  1. Princess Cruises Visa Signature Card from Barclays
  2. Royal Caribbean Visa Credit Card from Bank of America
  3. Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature Card
  4. Norwegian Cruise Line MasterCard from Bank of America
  5. The Carnival MasterCard from Barclaycard
  6. Disney Premier Visa

Wines on the Wing 2019

Our Wines on the Wing competition judged the best in-flight wines and sparkling selections. American Airlines won Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing and several North American wine categories. Etihad earned multiple business-class wine awards. All Nippon Airways, Singapore Airlines, Aeromexico, Alaska Airlines and others also placed in various categories. Once again, oneworld was voted Best Alliance Wines on the Wing. Cheers to the airlines serving the best wines in the sky.

WINES ON THE WING WINNERS

Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing

  1. GOLD: American Airlines
  2. SILVER: All Nippon Airways
  3. BRONZE: Air France
  4. Singapore Airlines
  5. Etihad Airways

Best International First-Class Champagne

  1. GOLD: Air France
  2. SILVER: American Airlines
  3. BRONZE: All Nippon Airways / Singapore Airlines (TIE)
  4. Delta Air Lines / Etihad Airways (TIE)

Best International First-Class White Wine

  1. GOLD: Singapore Airlines
  2. SILVER: American Airlines
  3. BRONZE: American Airlines
  4. All Nippon Airways
  5. All Nippon Airways

Best International First-Class Red Wine

  1. GOLD: All Nippon Airways
  2. SILVER: American Airlines
  3. BRONZE: All Nippon Airways
  4. Air France
  5. American Airlines

Best International Business-Class Wines on the Wing

  1. GOLD: Etihad Airways
  2. SILVER: United Airlines
  3. BRONZE: Aeromexico
  4. All Nippon Airways
  5. Air Tahiti Nui / Singapore Airlines (TIE)

Best International Business-Class Champagne

  1. GOLD: Aeromexico / Etihad Airways (TIE)
  2. SILVER: Air Tahiti Nui / Singapore Airlines (TIE)
  3. BRONZE: Aeroflot / Air New Zealand (TIE)
  4. United Airlines
  5. Delta Air Lines

Best International Business-Class White Wine

  1. GOLD: All Nippon Airways
  2. SILVER: Etihad Airways
  3. BRONZE: Air Tahiti Nui
  4. United Airlines
  5. TAP Air Portugal

Best International Business-Class Red Wine

  1. GOLD: Etihad Airways
  2. SILVER: Etihad Airways / Singapore Airlines (TIE)
  3. BRONZE: Singapore Airlines
  4. EL AL Israel Airlines
  5. Aeromexico

Best Airline Alliance Wines on the Wing

  1. oneworld
  2. Star Alliance
  3. SkyTeam

Best North American Wines on the Wing

  1. GOLD: American Airlines
  2. SILVER: United Airlines
  3. BRONZE: Aeromexico
  4. Delta Air Lines

Best North American Sparkling Wine

  1. GOLD: Aeromexico
  2. SILVER: United Airlines
  3. BRONZE: Delta Air Lines
  4. American Airlines

Best North American White Wine

  1. GOLD: American Airlines
  2. SILVER: Aeromexico
  3. BRONZE: United Airlines
  4. American Airlines
  5. Alaska Airlines

Best North American Red Wine

  1. GOLD: Alaska Airlines
  2. SILVER: United Airlines
  3. BRONZE: Delta Air Lines
  4. Aeromexico / American Airlines (TIE)
  5. American Airlines

Congratulations to all the winners. With these award-winning travel providers and services, the world is yours to explore—here’s to another sweet 16 years.