Loyalty is not what used to be in the world of constantly evolving trips, especially when it comes to the airline rewards. In recent years, radical changes in loyalty programs have frustrated frequent flyers. Ascending thresholds for elite status, devalued points and increasingly unpredictable exchange options have led travelers to question if they remain faithful to a single airline, the effort is still worth it.
The truth: Not all programs are the same. As we enter 2025, some airlines continue to deliver advantages, flexibility and value to loyal customers. We find seven points and miles experts to discover which airline loyalty programs, if they think, still deserve their dedication in 2025.
Alaska Airlines: The best for reimbursement rates and updates
Myriad Companies tracks the value of the airline mixture programs by analyzing millions of reimbursement rates over time and assigning miles an expense value. One of them is the points route, an engine search engine for Google flights.
The company’s founder and CEO, Julian Kheel, told Afar that, according to the company’s data, Alaska miles are worth most of any airline, with 1.45 cents each (for comparison, Delta Skymiles only uses 1.1 cents each). He added that often, “Alaska miles can be exchanged for flights in a wide variety of partners at reasonable speeds. This even includes American Airlines, whose flights are often available for less miles of Alaska than American miles themselves. “
Another company that identifies the Alaska mileage program as the most valuable is Nerdwallet. The Financial Services Company appointed the best -value airline rewards program in 2025.
Sally French, an expert in Nerdwallet trip, said that this is partly due to the fact that Alaska deviates from other US airlines in which she gives miles depending on the flight distance, not spent dollars. That means that those who fly more come forward of those who fly less frequently, but are put for more expensive business class tickets.
Paul Rubio, the special correspondent for Afar for points and miles, said that “the benefits of Alaska elite status, such as updates and other benefits, are some of the most generous airlines among the United States.” Even in short itineraries, the airline gives a minimum of 500 miles per leg. Similarly, the airline offers elite members complementary improvements on international flights, which is even more attractive now that the carrier plans to fly to Japan and South Korea.
American Airlines: The best for unpredictable travel days and profit potential
Although updates are more difficult to obtain than ever, having a condition can be useful when flights are full or want priority during unusual situations, for example, when you need that last seat on another flight to get where you are going.
“Winning the first -level state of American is well worth it, especially during irregular operations, due to the benefit of being confirmed on two flights for the same route,” said Adam Sterling, founder of The Sterling Traveler, a points blog and a blog miles . With this type of elite status, he will not be waiting for one leg, waiting for him to reach his destination. Instead, all the legs of the flights are confirmed.
Having that flexibility is useful, but Rubio said the multiple routes to obtain the state of winning are why it is “all about” in the American alliance and Oneworld this year.
“While some may have feelings found in this regard, American elite status is not based on how many miles, these are loyalty points,” Rubio explained. “These points can be obtained in countless ways beyond the flight reserve. For example, it will earn one point for each dollar spent on American brand shared credit cards, and can accumulate even more through American purchasing platforms, hotels and events. This makes winning the elite status is much more attainable, even if your work is not paying for each trip. “
Southwest Airlines: The best to facilitate use
An element of redeeming miles that frequent travelers often complain is the ambiguity that surrounds the cost of prize flights. Kurt Adams, senior marketing manager of content in The Going, a website and an application that helps travelers find cheap flights, said Southwest is the exception because “the cost of their award tickets tends to track the price in Ticket cash, which facilitates understanding the value of a ticket. ” Jesse Neugarten, CEO of Dollar Flight Club, a cheap flight alert newsletter, added: “The Southwest fast rewards program is super simple, without blackout dates or hidden rates, which makes it really easy to plan and exchange” .
There is no airline loyalty program: the best for cheaper flights and better connections
Achieving the state of the Elite airline unlocks a world of travel advantages: priority shipping, courtesy updates, access to the living room and even free control bags. But there is another face of elite status charm: travelers feel encased by their loyalty.
“While elite status offers freedom in the form of advantages and updates, it can also feel like a golden wife, joining it to a specific airline and its limitations,” French said.
With so many airline programs that base the state almost exclusively on how much money you spend with them, and often in motion that goal post, many experts say it makes more sense to be a “free agent” and look for the best price or the route plus convenient for your needs.
“I have seen too many people take a ridiculous amount of unnecessary flights or look for itineraries with long and little practical connections in search of the maximum number of state gain miles,” said Daniel Green, co -founder of Faye Travel Insurance. Green added that if you are going to play the loyalty game, it is better to invest in a program with which you will fly regularly. “Do not pursue the status with an airline based in a country that you will never visit about the company you need to fly several times a year, because most airlines will prioritize their own members about someone in an associated airline. “
Instead of collecting miles with a specific airline, Kheel recommends “with the aim of winning flexible points with a bank program such as Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards or Capital One Miles. These programs offer the option of reserving their rewards through the Bank website for any flight or hotel available with cash or transferring them to a multitude of airlines and hotels programs “.
Neugen echoed that feeling, saying: “With the travel trends that change constantly, having the ability to change between loyalty programs based on offers and routes is a great advantage. The transferable points provide options, and that is invaluable in the current climate. “
Even with the growing cost of prize flights, Gary Leff, an expert in a view and founder of the view from the Ala blog, which covers news and frequent awards, says that there is still courage to participate, you just need to be more elegant about which you select. “If you are winning miles you do not win miles, of course, it is worth winning some reward,” Leff said. “That is like finding $ 20 on the street and asking if it is worth picking it up. Twenty dollars are not worth what was once, but something is still worth it. “
