Empire State Review Team 
Top Frequent Flier Programs of 2025 Revealed
Changes at Southwest Airlines
In a significant shift, Southwest Airlines is set to discontinue its long-standing policy of allowing passengers to check bags for free. Starting in May, travelers will need to pay for checked baggage, marking the end of a no-cost service that had become a hallmark of the airline.
WalletHub Analysis Highlights Best Programs
A recent analysis by WalletHub has identified the best frequent flier programs for 2025 among the largest U.S. airlines. The study evaluated various programs based on nearly twenty metrics, including membership advantages, miles expiration, elite status access, and more.
Top Five Frequent Flier Programs
Alaska Airlines secured the top spot, with its Alaska Mileage Plan being recognized as the best frequent flier program for the second consecutive year. The top five rankings are as follows:
- Alaska Airlines’ Alaska Mileage Plan
- United Airlines’ United MileagePlus
- Delta Air Lines’ Delta SkyMiles
- Hawaiian Airlines’ HawaiianMiles
- American Airlines’ AAdvantage
Scoring Details
The WalletHub analysis took into account the annual budgets of various types of travelers (light, average, and frequent) to score the programs. Specific performance indicators considered included:
- Membership perks
- Expiration of miles
- Ability to achieve elite status
- Booking blackout dates
- Retrospective flight credits
- Value of reward points/miles
Achievements of Leading Airlines
In addition to Alaska Airlines’ overall ranking, other airlines excelled in specific categories:
- United MileagePlus ranked highest for destination coverage.
- American Airlines’ AAdvantage led in airline coverage, assessing service to numerous domestic and international destinations.
- Hawaiian Airlines achieved top marks for rewards value, offering $12.99 back for every $100 spent.
Airlines’ Performance Trends
The analysis noted that JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines were unique among major carriers with increasing rewards value compared to the previous year. The significance of loyalty programs is underscored by a survey from Airlines for America, which indicated that these programs were a key consideration for flight-finding among travelers.
