This was published 5 years ago
World's best frequent flyer programs for 2018 named at 'Freddie' awards
By Craig Platt
Virgin Australia's Velocity program has dominated the annual Freddie awards.Credit: Brendon Thorne
And the envelope for the top frequent-flyer program goes to ... Virgin Australia.
The airline's Velocity program took home the coveted title at the 2018 "Freddie" awards, an Oscars-like award ceremony recognising the top travel loyalty programs.
Virgin Australia dominated the airline categories for the "Middles East and Asia/Oceania" region, winning "Program of the Year", "Best Elite Program", "Best Customer Service" and "Best Redemption Ability".
In the hotels category the IHG Rewards Club from InterContinental Hotels Group won "Program of the Year" with awards also going to Starwood Preferred Guest and Le Club from Accor Hotels.
The annual "Freddie" awards recognise the world's top airline and hotel loyalty programs. The awards are determined by votes from frequent flyers and hotel patrons, recognising five "best of" categories for both airlines and hotels in each of three global regions. The Freddies also honour the best loyalty credit cards in each of the regions. And there's a special "210 Award" for programs being recognised programs "trending higher" among travellers.
The awards employ a scoring system weighted to balance high-scoring votes against a simple quantity of votes. In doing so, Freddie organisers say the loyalty program of a smaller airline or hotel chain is able to be judged more fairly against bigger programs that can mobilise a large number of voters. A record 4.4 million frequent travellers voted in the latest Freddie Awards.
The Freddie Awards, first given in 1988, are named for the late Sir Freddie Laker, who achieved knighthood in the United Kingdom for pioneering low-cost air travel across the Atlantic in the 1970s.
"We are delighted to once again allow frequent flyers throughout the world the opportunity to select the travel loyalty programs that they believe have achieved excellence," Freddie Awards founder Randy Petersen said about the 2018 Freddies. "This is not an elitist view of these programs nor a popular vote, but rather the 'best' are determined by the votes of those who spend a great deal of their life on the road and in turn are appreciative of the value they bring to their members."
Virgin Australia's Velocity launched in 2006 and now has more than seven million members. Although Virgin Australia is not a member of one of the major global alliances (Star Alliance, OneWorld and SkyTeam), members are able to earn points with partner airlines including Singapore Airlines, Etihad, Delta and Air New Zealand.
The airline has won "Program of the Year" for Velocity at the Freddie awards several times previously, most recently in 2016.
Southwest Airlines won the top award for the Americas. The airline recently made headlines after an exploding engine part shattered a cabin window 20 minutes into a flight from New York-LaGuardia airport. A woman was partially sucked out of the aircraft and died due to her injuries.
At least one passenger is now suing the airline for post-traumatic stress over the incident.
In the Europe and Africa region, Norwegian Air won for best program.
The carrier's Norwegian Reward program provides a free reward, such as complimentary seat reservations or fast track through security, every six flights. The rapidly growing airline is now Europe's third-largest low-cost carrier.
See also: Airline review: Norwegian Air premium economy
MIDDLE EAST & ASIA/OCEANIA
Airline Category
Program of the Year -- Virgin Australia -- Velocity Frequent Flyer
Best Elite Program -- Virgin Australia -- Velocity Frequent Flyer
Best Customer Service -- Virgin Australia -- Velocity Frequent Flyer
Best Redemption Ability -- Virgin Australia -- Velocity Frequent Flyer
Best Promotion -- Emirates Skywards -- 50% off first class upgrades
210 Award -- Saudia Alfursan
Hotel Category
Program of the Year -- IHG Rewards Club
Best Elite Program -- Starwood Preferred Guest
Best Customer Service -- Le Club Accor Hotels
Best Redemption Ability -- Le Club Accor Hotels
Best Promotion -- IHG Rewards Club -- Accelerate
210 Award -- TAJ Innercircle
Credit Card
Best Loyalty Credit Card -- ADCB Etihad Guest Above Visa Card
AMERICAS
Airline
Program of the Year -- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
Best Elite Program -- American Airlines -- Advantage
Best Customer Service -- Southwest Rapid Rewards
Best Redemption Ability -- Southwest Rapid Rewards
Best Promotion -- Southwest Rapid Rewards -- Unbelievable Companion Pass Offer
210 Award -- Avianca Lifemiles
Hotel Category
Program of the Year -- Marriott Rewards
Best Elite Program -- Marriott Rewards
Best Customer Service -- Marriott Rewards
Best Redemption Ability -- Marriott Rewards
Best Promotion -- MGM -- M life Rewards -- Holiday Gift Shoppe
210 Award -- MGM -- M life reward
Credit Card
Best Loyalty Credit Card -- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
EUROPE & AFRICA
Airline Category
Program of the Year -- Norwegian Air -- Norwegian Reward
Best Elite Program -- Aeroflot Bonus
Best Customer Service -- Aeroflot Bonus
Best Redemption Ability -- Aeroflot Bonus
Best Promotion -- Norwegian Reward -- Christmas Advent Calendar
210 Award -- Aeroflot Bonus
Hotel Category
Program of the Year -- Le Club Accor Hotels
Best Elite Program -- Marriott Rewards
Best Customer Service -- Le Club Accor Hotels
Best Redemption Ability -- Le Club Accor Hotels
Best Promotion -- Le Club Accor Hotels -- Activation Booster
210 Award -- IHG Reward Club
Credit Card
Best Loyalty Credit Card -- American Express -- Membership Rewards
with TNS
See also: Which frequent flyer program should you join?
See also: How to get into airport lounges when you're not flying in business
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