The Complete Guide to the Best Frequent Flyer Programs

by Ellie Smith / May 7, 2025

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

With tons of different loyalty programs and travel credit cards to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. At Blacklane, we know a thing or two about seamless travel. Our global professional chauffeur service helps travelers move smoothly around the world and we understand the value of choosing the best frequent flyer program to make every journey even better. Here’s a rundown of what frequent flyer programs are, and how to get the most out of your miles.

What’s the best frequent flyer program?

It often comes down to the airline that offers the flights you want, when you want them. Case in point, Alaska Airlines was recently ranked as having one of the best frequent flyer programs in the U.S., especially for its generous redemption rates and partnerships. However, if you often travel to New York and need a wider choice of nonstop flights to and from different cities, Delta’s SkyMiles program, backed by its major hub at JFK Airport, might be a better fit for you.

So before you pick an airline to be loyal to, make sure it’s the one that offers routes you want to take to destinations you frequently travel to, and at a reasonable price. For instance, if a United flight has a stopover but is a 200 USD round trip while the direct Alaska flight is 500 USD, you might want to consider United MileagePlus instead. It all depends on where you live, how you like to fly, and where you’re going.

The “top” frequent flyer programs can vary from year to year, but Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan, United Airlines' MileagePlus, Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles, and American Airlines' AAdvantage consistently rank among the best airline rewards programs. JetBlue Airways' TrueBlue and Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards also offer valuable benefits, particularly for travelers based in specific regions or with particular travel preferences.

If your travels often take you internationally, it’s also smart to look at airline alliances. For instance, Qantas is a partner of American Airlines. That means even if you’re on a Qantas plane flying in Australia, you can still earn miles and even status on American Airlines. Also, United is part of the Star Alliance, the largest airline alliance, which includes Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines and many others across Europe and beyond. If one of those airlines is your go-to for international trips, you might want to use United for domestic flights to maximize your frequent flyer benefits.

By and large, many international airlines are linked to U.S. carriers. The key is figuring out which partnership best fits your travel needs, and then always using your frequent flyer number when you book.

Quick takeaway:

• Flying mostly in the U.S.? Alaska, Delta, United, and American are top picks.

• Prefer regional travel? Try JetBlue or Southwest.

• Travel internationally? Look for alliance partners like Star Alliance (United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines).

• Best choice = the airline that flies where you need to go most often, at the best price.

What is a frequent flyer program?

Frequent flyer programs are loyalty programs created by airlines to reward their most loyal customers. Even if you’re not loyal to a single airline, finding the best frequent flyer program for your travel style can offer major benefits.

The goal of every program is to accumulate points, often referred to as miles, on the airline. Those points are often accumulated on a yearly basis, and when you get enough, you’re awarded “Status,” an indication to both you and the airline that you’re a frequent flyer. That status comes in different tiers, with different perks. The more points you have, the higher your tier of status will be and the better the perks associated with it.  

What is a frequent flyer number?

A frequent flyer number is a membership number that is unique to you and identifies you to the airline. In some cases, that number is actually letters, or a combination of numbers and letters. No matter what it’s made of, your frequent flyer number will be unique and will only work when it’s connected to a booking for you to fly with an airline.

Think of it like a rewards card number. You’ll input your frequent flyer number whenever you book a flight, and the airline will track how much you’ve flown during the year and what perks you’re eligible for. You’ll get your own unique number when you sign up for a frequent flyer program with an airline.

How to get a frequent flyer number

Frequent flyer numbers are free and easy to get. To get one, simply visit the website for the airline you plan to fly with and look for its loyalty program. Each airline calls its program something different, but they all work similarly.

When you sign up, you’ll need to provide your name and address. In the U.S., you’ll also be prompted to input your Known Traveler or Redress number, if you have one, which is provided by TSA when you’re approved for TSA PreCheck. When you do that, all subsequent flights you book with your frequent flyer number will automatically have that number attached, helping you qualify for TSA Pre on your boarding pass.

How do you accumulate frequent flyer points?

The easiest way to accumulate frequent flyer points or miles is simply by flying. Each time you fly with an airline, you’ll earn points (or miles) that will be credited to your account, which is key to maximizing the benefits of a frequent flyer program.

You’ll earn points in two separate ways. The first is through "Elite Qualifying Miles" (sometimes called different terms depending on the airline), which represent the actual number of miles you fly. These miles are used by airlines to determine your "status" level. For example, if your flight was 2,000 miles, you’d earn 2,000 Elite Qualifying Miles.

Typically, you’ll need about 25,000 qualifying miles and a certain minimum spend, often around $3,000 annually, to achieve the first tier of elite status​. (This varies slightly depending on the airline.)

You’ll also earn redeemable miles each time you fly. These are the miles you can use to pay for future flights, Wi-Fi, upgrades, and more. How many miles you earn varies based on ticket type, class of service, and elite status.

For example, on American Airlines, Gold members receive a 40 percent mileage bonus, Platinum members get 60 percent, Platinum Pro gets 80 percent, and Executive Platinum members earn 120 percent more miles​.

Many frequent flyer programs also allow you to retroactively claim miles from flights taken within the last 30 to 90 days after enrolling.

What about the best frequent flyer credit cards?

Generally, the best frequent flyer credit card for you is the one affiliated with the airline you fly most often. Major airlines partner with banks to offer branded cards that give you many of the same perks as elite loyalty members, such as:

• Free checked bags

• Priority boarding

• Discounted or complimentary lounge access

Most airline-specific credit cards also allow the money you spend to count toward achieving frequent flyer status. For example, Delta’s American Express cards offer:

• A waiver for Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs)

• 2 miles per Delta purchase, 1 mile per other purchases

• Discounted Sky Club access and priority boarding

If you tend to fly with several airlines, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card continues to be considered one of the best air miles program credit card for travelers​. Benefits include:

• 3x points on travel and dining, 1x on everything else

• $300 annual travel credit

• Complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges (Priority Pass)

• Travel insurance coverage included

• 1:1 point transfer to over a dozen airline and hotel partners

• 50% more value when booking through Chase (e.g., 50,000 points = $750 in travel)

How to maximize your frequent flyer points

Frequent flyer points can be used to pay for future flights, similar to how you might use another currency. The amount of miles or points you’ll need to purchase a flight depends on the airline you’re flying and the timing of your trip.

In general, flights that cost less in cash will also require fewer miles. For example, a $500 flight will typically require fewer miles than a $700 flight. Airlines with the best frequent flyer programs often use dynamic award pricing, where the number of miles required changes based on demand.

Just like booking with cash, it pays to book your flights early when you’re using miles, especially during busy seasons.

Why do you want elite status?

Elite status comes with a variety of perks, all designed to make frequent flying more pleasant.

At a basic level, the higher your status, the more miles you’ll earn, which can be redeemed for future flights or upgrades. Elite members also get access to priority check-in lines, waived baggage fees, early boarding groups, and even occasional complimentary upgrades to higher classes of service.

Many programs offer extra perks like drink coupons, lounge access, and better customer service support for elite members.

Pair your frequent flyer benefits with a premium ride

Whether you’re a business traveler or simply love a good getaway, finding the best frequent flyer program for your needs can help you get the most out of every trip.

And when it’s time to get to the airport, your hotel, or simply around the city, Blacklane’s professional chauffeur service is here to make your journey even smoother. With reliable, stress-free rides available in cities around the world, we’re proud to be part of your travel experience on the ground.

Book Now