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2014 GT Test Awards: Winners, Reviews, and Highlights

Imagine the pressure of performing in a championship match or competing on the world stage: roaring crowds, millions watching around the globe, and the mix of excitement and nerves as athletes prepare. For most competitors, peak performances come infrequently—every few years or during a single season—but the winners of the GT Tested Reader Survey deliver gold-medal service multiple times a day, to countless travelers, every day of the year.

Welcome to the Super Bowl of travel: the 2014 GT Tested Reader Survey awards. For the 11th year, our readers cast votes from January through August. Global Traveler once again names the industry MVPs—from airlines, hotels and destinations to travel goods, services and credit card programs. The winners below represent the top performers of 2014.

Etihad Airways claimed the top honor as Best Overall Airline in the World, unseating decade-long champion Singapore Airlines. Etihad also earned recognition as Best Airline in the Middle East and Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents.

oneworld continued its dominance, winning Best Airline Alliance for the fifth straight year. Its members—airberlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, TAM, Qantas and Qatar Airways—form an outstanding global team.

The Boeing 787 took home Best Aircraft Type after a market debut that changed expectations for long-haul travel.

Several newcomers to the survey captured Rookie of the Year honors in new categories: JetBlue.com (Best Airline Website); Delta Air Lines Sky Club, ATL Concourse C (Best Individual Domestic Lounge); Lufthansa First Class Lounge, Munich (Best Individual International Lounge); Starwood.com (Best Hotel Website); FlightTrack (Best Travel App); Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 (Best Travel Camera); and the Royal Caribbean Visa Credit Card from Bank of America (Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card).

© Asiana Airlines

Consistent leadership earns captains their stripes. Asiana Airlines, for example, secured Best Airline for Onboard Service and Best Airline for Flight Attendants for the 11th consecutive year and added Best First-Class Seat Design in 2014. Other long-running champions include United MileagePlus (Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program), South African Airways (Best Airline in Africa), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (Best Airport in North America) and Sheraton Hotels & Resorts (Best Hotel Chain in Latin America). Air Canada and IHG Rewards Club maintained decade-long streaks as Best Airline in North America and Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World, respectively.

Singapore Airlines earned three major accolades this year—Best Airline for Business Class, Best Business-Class Seat Design and Best Airline in Southeast Asia (third year running). Emirates won Best Airline for International First Class, while Korean Air was recognized for Best Flight Attendant Uniforms. Delta Air Lines captured Best Airline for Domestic First Class and Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service, Americas, and its Sky Club lounges were named among the Best Airport Lounges. Alitalia took Best Airline Cuisine, EL AL Israel Airlines remained Best Airline for Security for the eighth year, and American Airlines earned Best Airline for New Service Launch for its Dallas (DFW) to Shanghai (PVG) route. Avianca’s LifeMiles again topped Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption.

© Delta Air Lines

Regional winners showed strength across routes and markets. LAN Airlines was named Best Airline to South America; Aeromexico won Best Airline in Mexico for the fifth consecutive year; Air India and All Nippon Airways led their respective regions; and repeat winners included Air New Zealand, Fiji Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, China Airlines, Hainan Airlines and Brussels Airlines. TAP Portugal continued its strong showing in Europe, and Incheon Airport was again voted Best Overall Airport in the World. United Airlines was named Best Trans-Pacific Airline. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Dubai Duty Free were recognized for Best Airport Dining and Best Duty-Free Shops.

Hotels also stood out. The Address Downtown Dubai was voted Best Individual Hotel in the World for the fourth year in a row, and The Peninsula Beverly Hills was named Best Hotel in the United States for the fourth straight year. Westin Hotels & Resorts earned Best International Hotel Chain, Hilton Hotels was named Best Domestic Hotel Chain, Andaz was voted Best Lifestyle Hotel (five-time winner), and Shangri-La led as Best Hotel Chain in Asia. Grand Hyatt Grand Club was recognized as Best Hotel Club Floor.

© Grand Hyatt

Grand Hyatt Incheon added Best Airport Hotel to its accolades (three years running) and captured Best MICE Hotel. Lotte Hotel Seoul earned Best Hotel in Korea for the third consecutive year, and Golden Horseshoe Golf Club in Williamsburg, Va., was named Best Golf Resort.

On loyalty and service, top programs stood out: Hilton HHonors won Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program (Diamond) and Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service, Americas; Marriott Rewards was voted Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program; and Starwood Preferred Guest topped Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption.

In the category of European hotel chains, The Ritz-Carlton tied with Kempinski Hotels for Best European Hotel Chain. Among travel products and services, Volvo again won Best Overseas Delivery Program; Hertz was named Best Car Rental Company; Boingo Wireless took Best WiFi Service for the fourth year; Verizon and Briggs & Riley Travelware continued to lead as Best Wireless Service in the World and Best Luggage Brand, respectively; and Sony won Best Noise-Canceling Headset.

© Boingo Wireless

For destinations, Ireland was voted Best Tourism Destination for the third consecutive year, and Singapore earned Best MICE City for 2014.

Credit card winners showed the strength of travel-linked rewards: United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase was named Best Credit Card and Best Credit Card Rewards Program (three years running); Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card from Chase was Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card for three years; Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express and several others were recognized across promotion, benefits and redemption categories.

A hush gives way to a roar as we celebrate the 2014 GT Tested Reader Survey award winners. Congratulations to all the honorees for excelling in the major leagues of travel service.

The Voting Process

Open-ended ballots ran in subscriber copies of Global Traveler and online from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, 2014. Ballots were also distributed via direct mail and email during that period. Entries with fewer than half the fields completed were disqualified. More than 26,000 qualified ballots were returned. Employees of FX Express Publications, Inc., and affiliated travel-industry members were ineligible to vote.

Best Overall Airline in the World

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

Best Airline Alliance

  1. oneworld
  2. Etihad/airberlin/Aer Lingus/Air Seychelles
  3. SkyTeam
  4. Star Alliance
  5. Emirates/Qantas

Best Aircraft Type

  1. Boeing 787
  2. Airbus A380
  3. Boeing 777
  4. Boeing 747
  5. Airbus A340
  6. Boeing 737
  7. Airbus A330
  8. Boeing 767
  9. Airbus A320

Best Airline Website

  1. jetblue.com
  2. delta.com
  3. united.com
  4. aa.com
  5. southwest.com
  6. britishairways.com
  7. lufthansa.com
  8. aircanada.com

Best Airline for Business Class

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

Best Airline for International First Class

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

Best Airline for Domestic First Class

  1. Delta Air Lines
  2. Virgin America
  3. United Airlines
  4. American Airlines

Best Airline for Onboard Service

  1. Asiana Airlines
  2. Etihad Airways
  3. Emirates
  4. Singapore Airlines
  5. Air Canada
  6. LAN Airlines
  7. TAM
  8. Qatar Airways
  9. South African Airways
  10. Swiss International Air Lines

Best Airline for Flight Attendants

  1. Asiana Airlines
  2. Etihad Airways
  3. Air Canada
  4. Singapore Airlines
  5. airberlin
  6. Emirates
  7. LAN Airlines
  8. Qatar Airways
  9. TAM
  10. South African Airways

Best Flight Attendant Uniforms

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

Best Airline Cuisine

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

Best Airline for Security

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

Best First-Class Seat Design

  1. Asiana Airlines
  2. Etihad Airways
  3. Emirates
  4. Swiss International Air Lines
  5. Singapore Airlines
  6. Qatar Airways
  7. British Airways
  8. Qantas
  9. Cathay Pacific Airways
  10. United Airlines

Best Business-Class Seat Design

  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. Etihad Airways
  3. British Airways
  4. LAN Airlines
  5. TAM
  6. Virgin Atlantic Airways
  7. airberlin
  8. Qantas
  9. Asiana Airlines
  10. Swiss International Air Lines

Best Airline for New Service Launch

  1. American Airlines (DFW to PVG)
  2. Turkish Airlines (BOS)
  3. Delta Air Lines (SEA to LHR)
  4. American Airlines (DFW to BOG)
  5. Etihad Airways (DFW)
  6. Delta Air Lines (SEA to INC)
  7. Emirates (BOS)
  8. American Airlines (DFW to HKG)
  9. Qatar Airways (DFW)
  10. Delta Air Lines (SEA to HKG)

Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program

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

Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program

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

Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program

  1. United MileagePlus
  2. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
  3. LifeMiles (Avianca)
  4. American Airlines AAdvantage
  5. Air Canada Aeroplan
  6. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
  7. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
  8. Virgin America Elevate
  9. Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
  10. TAM Fidelidade

Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption

  1. LifeMiles (Avianca)
  2. Air Canada Aeroplan
  3. American Airlines AAdvantage
  4. TAM Fidelidade
  5. United MileagePlus
  6. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
  7. Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
  8. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
  9. Virgin America Elevate

Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service, Americas

  1. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
  2. LifeMiles (Avianca)
  3. Virgin America Elevate
  4. American Airlines AAdvantage
  5. Air Canada Aeroplan
  6. LAN LANPass
  7. United MileagePlus
  8. Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
  9. TAM Fidelidade

Best Airline in North America

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

Best Airline to South America

  1. LAN Airlines
  2. TAM
  3. Aerolineas Argentinas
  4. Avianca

Best Airline in Mexico

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

Best Airline to Australia and New Zealand

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

Best Airline in the South Pacific

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

Best Airline in Europe

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

Best Airline in Eastern Europe

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

Best Airline in Africa

  1. South African Airways
  2. Ethiopian Airlines
  3. Royal Air Maroc
  4. Kenya Airways
  5. Air Namibia
  6. Arik Air

Best Airline in the Middle East

  1. Etihad Airways
  2. Emirates
  3. Qatar 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 Airlines in North Asia (excluding China)

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

Best Airline in Southeast Asia (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam)

  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. Thai Airways
  3. Philippine Airlines
  4. Garuda Indonesia
  5. SilkAir
  6. Royal Brunei
  7. AirAsia

Best Airline in China

  1. Hainan Airlines
  2. China Southern Airlines
  3. China Eastern Airlines
  4. Air China

Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India

  1. Air India
  2. Jet Airways
  3. Biman Bangladesh Airlines
  4. PIA

Best Airline to Japan

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

Best Trans-Atlantic Airline

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

Best Trans-Pacific Airline

  1. United Airlines
  2. Singapore Airlines
  3. Asiana Airlines
  4. All Nippon Airways
  5. Thai Airways
  6. Japan Airlines
  7. Korean Air
  8. China Southern Airlines
  9. Air China
  10. Cathay Pacific Airways

Best Overall Airport in the World

  1. Incheon Airport
  2. Singapore Changi Airport
  3. Amsterdam Schiphol
  4. Tokyo/Haneda Airport (TIE)
  5. Hong Kong International Airport
  6. Munich Airport
  7. Frankfurt Airport
  8. Shanghai International Airport
  9. Beijing Capital International Airport
  10. Zürich Airport

Best Airport in North America

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

Best Airport Lounges

  1. Delta Air Lines Sky Club
  2. Etihad Airways
  3. American Airlines Admirals Club
  4. United Airlines United Club
  5. British Airways Executive Club
  6. Lufthansa First Class Lounges
  7. Emirates
  8. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
  9. South African Airways Cycad Lounge
  10. Asiana Airlines
  11. Japan Airlines

Best Individual Domestic Lounge

  1. Delta Air Lines Sky Club, ATL Concourse C
  2. American Airlines Admirals Club, LAX Terminal 4
  3. United Airlines United Club, LAX Terminal 4
  4. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, JFK Terminal 4
  5. Alaska Airlines Board Room, SEA
  6. Delta Air Lines Sky Club, JFK
  7. American Express Centurion Lounge, DFW
  8. United Airlines Global First, SFO

Best Individual International Lounge

  1. Lufthansa First Class Lounge Munich
  2. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, LHR
  3. Cathay Pacific The Pier, HKG
  4. Lufthansa First Class Lounge Frankfurt
  5. Etihad Diamond First Lounge, ABU
  6. Singapore Airlines Silverkris Lounge, SIN
  7. British Airways Concorde Room, LHR

Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents

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

Best Airport Dining

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

Best Duty-Free Shops

  1. Dubai Duty Free
  2. Incheon Airport
  3. Abu Dhabi International Airport
  4. Amsterdam Schiphol
  5. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
  6. Singapore Changi Airport
  7. Hong Kong International Airport
  8. Frankfurt Airport
  9. Rome Fiumicino
  10. London Heathrow Airport

Best Individual Hotel in the World

  1. The Address Downtown Dubai
  2. The St. Regis Bora Bora
  3. Jumeirah Etihad Towers Abu Dhabi
  4. Hotel de Crillon, Paris
  5. InterContinental Thalasso Resort & Spa, Bora Bora
  6. The Waldorf Astoria Chicago
  7. The Corinthia Hotel London
  8. The Peninsula Beverly Hills
  9. The Four Seasons Bora Bora
  10. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

Best International Hotel Chain

  1. Westin Hotels & Resorts
  2. The Peninsula Hotels
  3. Four Seasons
  4. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
  5. The Ritz-Carlton
  6. Marriott Hotels
  7. Conrad Hotels & Resorts
  8. Jumeirah International
  9. Park Hyatt
  10. Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces

Best Domestic Hotel Chain

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

Best Lifestyle Hotel

  1. Andaz
  2. W Hotels
  3. Hotel Indigo
  4. Affinia Hotels
  5. Kimpton Hotels

Best Airport Hotel

  1. Grand Hyatt Incheon
  2. Regal Airport Hotel, Hong Kong
  3. Langham Place, Beijing Airport
  4. Sofitel London Heathrow
  5. Crowne Plaza Singapore Changi Airport
  6. Kempinski Hotel Munich Airport
  7. Oryx Rotana Doha
  8. Grand Hyatt DFW
  9. Pan Pacific Kuala Lumpur Airport
  10. Novotel Suvarnabhumi Bangkok

Best Golf Resort

  1. Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, Williamsburg, Va.
  2. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon, Ore.
  3. Pebble Beach Resorts, Pebble Beach, Calif.
  4. One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, Mexico
  5. The Old Course, St. Andrews, Scotland
  6. Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst, N.C.
  7. Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island, S.C.
  8. Adare Manor, Ireland
  9. Steenberg Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa
  10. The Royal County Down, Northern Ireland

Best MICE Hotel

  1. Grand Hyatt Incheon
  2. The Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco
  3. Lotte Hotel Seoul
  4. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
  5. Regal Airport Hotel, Hong Kong
  6. Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao
  7. Grosvenor House, London
  8. Kempinski Hotel Wuxi
  9. China World Hotel, Beijing
  10. The Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Scotland
  11. Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin

Best Hotel Club Floor

  1. Grand Hyatt Grand Club
  2. The Ritz-Carlton Club Level
  3. JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts
  4. The Peninsula Hotels
  5. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
  6. Hilton Hotels Corp.
  7. Marriott Hotels & Resorts
  8. Westin Hotels & Resorts
  9. Renaissance Hotels

Best Hotel Website

  1. starwood.com
  2. hilton.com
  3. marriott.com
  4. ritzcarlton.com
  5. intercontinental.com
  6. peninsula.com
  7. loews.com
  8. fairmont.com
  9. hyatt.com

Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World

  1. IHG Rewards Club
  2. Hilton HHonors
  3. Starwood Preferred Guest
  4. Marriott Rewards
  5. Hyatt Gold Passport
  6. Shangri-La Golden Circle
  7. Loews YouFirst
  8. Leading Hotels Leaders Club
  9. Fairmont President’s Club
  10. Club Carlson

Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program

  1. Hilton HHonors Diamond
  2. Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite
  3. Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum Preferred
  4. Hyatt Gold Passport Platinum
  5. Fairmont President’s Club Platinum
  6. Wyndham Rewards ByRequest
  7. IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite
  8. Sol Meliá MAS Rewards
  9. Choice Privileges Platinum

Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program

  1. Marriott Rewards
  2. Hilton HHonors
  3. IHG Rewards Club
  4. Wyndham Rewards
  5. Club Carlson
  6. Starwood Preferred Guest
  7. Hyatt Gold Passport
  8. Omni Select
  9. Choice Privileges
  10. Fairmont President’s Club

Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption

  1. Starwood Preferred Guest
  2. Marriott Rewards
  3. IHG Rewards Club
  4. Hilton HHonors
  5. Club Carlson
  6. Choice Privileges
  7. Hyatt Gold Passport
  8. Wyndham Rewards
  9. Omni Select
  10. Fairmont President’s Club

Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service, Americas

  1. Hilton HHonors
  2. Marriott Rewards
  3. Starwood Preferred Guest
  4. IHG Rewards Club
  5. Choice Privileges
  6. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards
  7. Hyatt Gold Passport
  8. Club Carlson
  9. Kimpton InTouch
  10. Fairmont President’s Club

Best Hotel in the United States

  1. The Peninsula Beverly Hills
  2. The Waldorf Astoria Chicago
  3. The Peninsula Chicago
  4. The Eliot Hotel, Boston
  5. The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown
  6. Mandarin Oriental, New York
  7. Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas
  8. Four Seasons Hotel New York
  9. The Inn at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach, Calif.
  10. Montage Beverly Hills

Best European Hotel Chain

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

Best Hotel Chain in Asia

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

Best Hotel in Korea

  1. Lotte Hotel Seoul
  2. Park Hyatt Seoul
  3. W Hotel Seoul Walkerhill
  4. The Shilla, Seoul
  5. Grand Hyatt Seoul
  6. The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul
  7. InterContinental Seoul
  8. Banyan Tree Club and Spa, Seoul
  9. JW Marriott Hotel Seoul
  10. The Westin Chosun

Best Hotel Chain in Latin America

  1. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
  2. Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts
  3. The Ritz-Carlton
  4. Caesar Park Hotels
  5. Four Seasons
  6. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
  7. The Luxury Collection
  8. Grand Hyatt
  9. Westin Hotels
  10. Meliá Hotels

Best Hotel Chain in Mexico

  1. Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts
  2. Sheraton Hotels
  3. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
  4. Westin Hotels
  5. W Hotels

Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East

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

Best Overseas Delivery Program

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

Best Car Rental Company

  1. Hertz
  2. National Car Rental
  3. Avis
  4. Budget
  5. Enterprise
  6. Alamo
  7. Sixt

Best Tourism Destination

  1. Ireland
  2. South Africa
  3. India
  4. Spain
  5. China
  6. Australia
  7. United Kingdom
  8. Hong Kong
  9. Brazil
  10. Germany

Best MICE City

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

Best WiFi Service

  1. Boingo Wireless
  2. AT&T Wireless
  3. Verizon Wireless
  4. iPass
  5. LodgeNet

Best Wireless Service in the World

  1. Verizon
  2. T-Mobile
  3. AT&T Wireless
  4. Sprint
  5. U.S. Cellular
  6. MetroPCS
  7. Cricket Wireless
  8. Boost Mobile

Best Noise-Canceling Headset

  1. Sony Digital Noise-Canceling Headphones
  2. Sennheiser Urbanite XL
  3. Bose QuietComfort
  4. Studio Beats Pro
  5. JVC
  6. Audio-Technica

Best Luggage Brand

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

Best Travel App

  1. FlightTrack
  2. GateGuru
  3. TripIt
  4. Concur
  5. XE Currency
  6. Award Wallet
  7. Delta Air Lines
  8. United Airlines
  9. American Airlines
  10. Skype

Best Travel Camera

  1. Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
  2. Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
  3. Nikon D3200
  4. Canon PowerShot S120
  5. Panasonic Lumix LX7
  6. Fujifilm X100S
  7. Sony CyberShot DSC RX100 II
  8. Fujifilm X-Pro 1
  9. Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR
  10. Olympus Tough TG-2
  11. Panasonic Lumix TZ40

Best Credit Card

  1. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
  2. American Express Platinum Card
  3. Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
  4. Plum Card from American Express Open
  5. American Express Blue Card
  6. Chase Ink Card
  7. United MileagePlus Explorer Card from Chase
  8. American Airlines WorldElite MasterCard
  9. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
  10. Escape Card from Discover
  11. Delta SkyMiles Gold Card from American Express

Best Credit Card Rewards Program

  1. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
  2. Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card from Chase
  3. Membership Rewards from American Express
  4. Capital One Venture Rewards
  5. Delta SkyMiles by American Express
  6. Chase Sapphire
  7. Miles by Discover
  8. Chase Sapphire Preferred
  9. Chase Freedom Card

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card

  1. Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card from Chase
  2. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
  3. Starwood Preferred Guest American Express
  4. Choice Privileges Visa Signature
  5. Hyatt Gold Passport Card
  6. Hilton HHonors American Express
  7. US Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Card

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions

  1. Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
  2. Hilton HHonors American Express
  3. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
  4. Choice Privileges Visa Signature
  5. Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card from Chase
  6. Hyatt Gold Passport Credit Card

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits

  1. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
  2. Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
  3. Marriot Rewards Visa Signature Card from Chase
  4. Hilton HHonors American Express
  5. Hyatt Gold Passport Credit Card
  6. Choice Privileges Visa Signature

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions

  1. Hilton HHonors Credit Card from American Express
  2. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
  3. Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card from Chase
  4. Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
  5. Hyatt Gold Passport Card
  6. Choice Privileges Visa Signature

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card

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

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits

  1. US Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Card
  2. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select Card
  3. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
  4. Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
  5. United MileagePlus Explorer Card from Chase
  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 Airlines Rapid Rewards Card

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions

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

Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card

  1. Royal Caribbean Visa Credit Card from Bank of America
  2. Norwegian Cruise Line MasterCard from Bank of America
  3. Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature Card
  4. Princess Cruises Visa Signature Card

Wines on the Wing 2014

The results of Global Traveler’s Wines on the Wing airline wine competition appeared in the August 2014 issue. Twenty-nine airlines submitted 126 in-flight samples and 24 professional wine experts judged the entries. Asiana Airlines won Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing. Brussels Airlines was awarded Best International Business-Class Wines on the Wing for the third consecutive year and also took Best International Business-Class Red and White Wines. Other winners included TAM (Best International Business-Class Champagne), British Airways (Best International First-Class Champagne and Best International First-Class White Wine), Jet Airways (Best International First-Class Red Wine), EL AL Israel Airlines (Best International First-/Business-Class Sparkling Wine) and Star Alliance (Best Alliance Wines on the Wing). In the North American category, American Airlines swept Best North American Wines on the Wing and its sparkling, white and red wine categories.

Cheers to the winners as they continue to raise the bar in service excellence.

Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing
Asiana Airlines

Best International First-Class Champagne
British Airways

Best International First-Class White Wine
British Airways

Best International First-Class Red Wine
Jet Airways

Best International Business-Class Wines on the Wing
Brussels Airlines

Best International Business-Class Champagne
TAM

Best International Business-Class White Wine
Brussels Airlines

Best International Business-Class Red Wine
Brussels Airlines

Best International First-/Business-Class Sparkling Wine
EL AL Israel Airlines

Best Alliance Wines on the Wing
Star Alliance

Best North American Wines on the Wing
American Airlines

Best North American Sparkling Wine
American Airlines

Best North American White Wine
American Airlines

Best North American Red Wine
American Airlines