Best Frequent Flyer Programs: Comparison and Strategy

How to Compare Frequent Flyer Programs

Not all frequent flyer programs are created equal, and the "best" program depends entirely on your home airport, preferred airlines, credit card spending patterns, and redemption goals. The key metrics for evaluation are earning rate (miles per dollar flown or spent), award redemption value (cents per mile extractable), partner network breadth, award availability, and fee policies on redemptions. No single program wins on all dimensions — the strategy is identifying which program's strengths align with your travel patterns.

Programs broadly divide into two categories: airline-specific programs tied to a single carrier and its alliance partners, and transferable points currencies (Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One Venture X Rewards) that act as flexible currency convertible to multiple airline programs. Experienced points collectors typically maintain a hybrid approach: one or two airline programs where they concentrate frequent flyer activity and a transferable points card for everyday spending flexibility.

United MileagePlus

United MileagePlus is widely considered one of the most valuable programs for U.S.-based travelers due to its Star Alliance membership and partner network spanning 44 airlines. The program's biggest selling point is its partner award pricing — United publishes a partner award chart with fixed prices, so you can book Lufthansa business class Frankfurt to New York for 70,000 miles one-way or ANA first class Chicago to Tokyo for 110,000 miles one-way. These prices represent outstanding value when the equivalent cash fare can exceed $10,000 for first class.

Miles never expire as long as the account is open, removing the clock pressure common to other programs. United's co-branded cards (Explorer, Club Infinite) earn 2x miles on United purchases and provide one free checked bag. The program has resisted moving to full dynamic pricing for partner awards, preserving the chart-based predictability that serious award bookers depend on. Award availability on United metal (its own planes) has improved in recent years following changes to its booking systems.

Weaknesses include elevated fuel surcharges on some Lufthansa redemptions, award search tools that lag behind third-party platforms, and a history of periodic devaluations to the partner chart. United's own domestic award pricing uses dynamic models which can be expensive during peak periods. The sweet spots lie firmly in international premium cabin redemptions on Star Alliance partners, particularly ANA and Singapore Airlines.

Air Canada Aeroplan

Aeroplan underwent a complete rebuild in 2020 and emerged as arguably the strongest frequent flyer program for international premium cabin redemptions. It is a Star Alliance member with access to United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, and 37 additional partners. Crucially, Aeroplan waives or heavily minimizes fuel surcharges on partner carriers — a traveler booking Lufthansa First class through Aeroplan may pay $5 in taxes where a British Airways Avios redemption on the same flight would carry $800 in surcharges.

Aeroplan's award chart prices stopovers generously: a round-trip award can include one free stopover, allowing a traveler to book New York to Tokyo with a stopover in Vancouver on the outbound or return. Transfer partners include Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, and Marriott Bonvoy, making Aeroplan points accessible without flying Air Canada. The co-branded Aeroplan Visa cards are available to Canadian residents; U.S. residents primarily access the program via credit card transfers.

The primary limitation for American travelers is that earning Aeroplan miles from everyday flying requires flying Air Canada or a Star Alliance partner with Aeroplan as the earning program — a deliberate choice that may conflict with hub loyalty. Award availability on Lufthansa and Singapore first class can also be constrained. Despite these friction points, Aeroplan consistently ranks among the top three programs globally for international award redemption value.

American Airlines AAdvantage

AAdvantage is the world's largest frequent flyer program by membership and a oneworld alliance member offering partner redemptions on British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Iberia, Finnair, and 10 additional carriers. The program's historical strength was a published partner award chart with competitive pricing — 50,000 miles one-way in business class to Europe, 60,000 to Asia. AAdvantage moved to dynamic pricing in 2023, replacing the fixed chart with variable rates that track cash fare demand, which significantly complicated award planning.

Despite dynamic pricing, AAdvantage retains value through its Cathay Pacific partnership (Cathay releases good business-class availability to AAdvantage members), Japan Airlines first class (space is rare but exists at 60,000–80,000 miles one-way), and Iberia business class to Spain which can be booked at predictable rates. The AAdvantage co-branded Citi cards earn miles across categories including dining and groceries. American's domestic network remains the largest in the U.S., giving the program depth for domestic award bookings.

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Turkish Miles&Smiles

Singapore KrisFlyer is the benchmark for premium cabin redemptions. Singapore Suites — the world's most acclaimed first-class product — can be booked using KrisFlyer miles when partner award space is released, typically close to departure. A one-way Singapore Suites ticket from Singapore to London requires 86,000 miles — expensive, but the product genuinely justifies the price. KrisFlyer is also a transfer partner for most major transferable points programs, making it accessible. The 3-year expiration policy requires attention.

Turkish Miles&Smiles is a Star Alliance member with a distinctive advantage: its award chart prices Star Alliance partners at rates far below what the partner's own program charges. An ANA business-class round trip Tokyo to New York costs 45,000 Turkish miles — compared to 88,000 United miles for the same itinerary. Turkish miles have historically been difficult to acquire (no major U.S. transfer partners), but Citi ThankYou now transfers to Miles&Smiles, opening access to one of the most underrated sweet spots in the hobby.

Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) is worth mentioning for its monthly Promo Rewards — discounted award pricing on rotating routes published on the first of each month — that can cut standard prices by 25 to 50%. Delta SkyMiles, despite receiving persistent criticism for dynamic pricing opacity, partners with Korean Air and Virgin Atlantic and offers occasional flash sales that extract good value. The best program for any individual traveler depends on their hub city, home airline, and target redemption — no universal winner exists.