The Best Frequent Flyer Programs

Updated for 2026!

What are frequent flyer programs?

Frequent flyer programs are the loyalty cards of the air travel industry. Your supermarket points card or your 10th-coffee-free stamp collection work in exactly the same way.

You fly with the same airline, or an alternative airline in the same alliance. You earn points. Then, you can put those points toward the price of your flight, upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals or even shopping!

Most programs cost absolutely nothing to join, so you're not losing out by signing up and you may end up saving yourself some serious cash!

How do frequent flyer programs work?

The traditional way frequent flyer programs worked was to offer air miles rewards. The longer (more miles) your flight, the more mileage points you accumulate. Although many airlines still have air miles reward schemes as a way to reward loyal passengers, there is another frequent flyer trend to watch out for.

Some airline loyalty programs/frequent flyer programs now work on a "get points for the amount you spend" basis. So instead of being rewarded for how far you travel, you're rewarded based on how much money your flights cost. This trend is apparently set to continue over the next few years, so bear that in mind when you research your frequent flyer options!

How do I choose the best frequent flyer program for me?

The best thing about the majority of frequent flyer programs is that they literally allow you the opportunity to get something for nothing. If you are a frequent traveller, you should definitely spend some time sussing out which airline rewards program is the best for you. With no risk of losing any money, it's a no brainer!

A few things to consider when you're picking the frequent flyer program for your needs. These include:

• The airline loyalty program - If you regularly fly with one specific airline, joining their frequent flyer program will give you the biggest benefits. On the other hand if you fly on a few airlines that are apart of the same airline alliance you may want to consider your options and join a loyalty scheme that has better perks.
• Miles/points a year for elite status - Make sure to consider how many miles/points you will need to get each elite status. Requirements for different loyalty tiers varies by programs, with some frequent flyer schemes having lower elite status requirements than others. The sooner you gain more elite tiers, the more rewards you gain!
• Perks - One of the biggest considerations has to be the benefits! Carefully look at what each frequent flyer program offers. Do they offer extra baggage, lounge access, first class upgrades? What can you spend your points on outside of the flight? For example, with Emirates Skyward you can earn an upgrade to first class after just 1 long distance trip.

Airline Alliances

An airline alliance is an agreement between two or more airlines to cooperate to a significant degree. Airlines choose to do this because of cost reductions in terms of maintenance etc. For example, airline alliances might combine marketing and branding tactics to ease passengers making connections under codeshares. But, we’re more interested in what airline alliances can do for you. Find out more about which airlines are part of which alliances, on our airline alliance page.

It's good to know that 6 out of 10 airlines allow rewards program members to earn and redeem miles with partner carriers - this is where your knowledge of airline alliances come in handy.

Not only do airline alliances grant you a large range of perks, such as lounge access, across multiple airlines, they also allow you to gain more and more milage rewards by earning you frequent flyer points for a single account on several different carriers.

Looking to use your points to buy flights? You can at Alternative Airlines. Simply select your chosen airline and the option to pay using the affiliated frequent flyer program will be available to you at checkout! it's as easy as that.

Location, location, location

Of course, where you are in the world and where you're flying to can have a huge impact in your choice of frequent flyer programs.If you live in Italy and spend a lot of time visiting family in France, you're going to be in the market for a different frequent flyer program than a domestic US business traveller.

Find out which airlines that you’re most likely to fly on over the next few years, given on where you live and where you’re likely to go, and work backwards from there.

Which frequent flyer perks are you interested in?

This is where you can have a bit of fun.

Are you in the frequent flyer business just to save some money on air travel? Are you a frequent business traveller who spends a long time waiting around airports? Or is it your dream to be waited on like an A-list celebrity in first class?

Different frequent flyer programs prioritise different rewards. It might be easier to be upgraded with one loyalty program, but you may need less points to get money off your flight purchases with another. Whether you're after lounge access, cash-back, or upgrades, you can try and find an airline loyalty program that offers the best value points schemes for the rewards you're interested in.

Our favourite airline rewards programs 2026

Although this article is called The best frequent flyer programs of 2026, the best programs for us at Alternative Airlines may not be the best ones for you. These are, however, some of the most popular in the world right now. Compare these frequent flyer programs and get a feel for what frequent flyer program best suits you.

Frequent Flyer Programs Compared

SkyMiles

• Airline: Delta
• Airline alliance: SkyTeam
• Cost to join: Free

Minimum elite status requirement: $5,000 in Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) and Diamond tier is $28,000 MQDs

Top tier benefits: Diamond medallion members can choose from 3 Choice Benefits including:

• Global and regional upgrade certificates
• The option of 40,000 bonus miles
• Travel vouchers
• Gifting medallion status
• Exclusive Delta Vacations savings (only 1 can be selected within the Medallion Year)

Check out more diamond rewards.

How to join SkyMiles: You can join SkyMiles by visiting Delta's website and signing up.

3 decades in, SkyMiles is one of the longest-running and most successful loyalty programs in air travel. In fact, Skymiles for business won Gold for Overall Best Small Business Airline in the 2025 Magellan Awards by Travel Weekly, and was awarded as the Best Frequent Flyer Program as well as 7 other awards by Business Traveller U.S. Those results speak for themselves!

Delta Air lines offers its members more ways to redeem frequent flyer miles than any other airline, including airline tickets, mileage upgrades, car rentals, hotel accommodation and Delta Sky Club membership.

Another bonus: your miles never expire! Not only that, but you can rack up your points without even having to purchase a flight when you use your Delta-branded credit card. It's a little less straightforward than some of the other airlines rewards schemes on the list, but its pros definitely seem to outweigh the cons.

Emirates Skywards

• Airline: Emirates
• Airline alliance: None
• Cost to join: Free

Minimum elite status requirement: Blue 0 miles
Silver: 25,000 miles in a 12 month tier cycle
Gold: 50,000 miles in a 12 month tier cycle
Platinum: 150,000 miles in a 12 month tier cycle

(once earned your status is valid for a 12 month tier cycle)

Special bonus: You can redeem your points when you buy EasyJet flights at 7,500 miles - EasyJet's frequent flyer program is by invitation only so this is a great way of using points on this low cost carrier! Check out Emirates complete list of rewards to find out what you can earn by flying as a Skywards member!

How to join Skywards: You can join Skywards and start earning frequent flyer rewards by visiting the Skywards sign-up page

Emirates' award-winning frequent flyer program costs nothing to join and you can quickly rack up those all-important miles in various ways. Membership gives you the chance to earn and spend miles with Emirates and a wide selection of partners, and also enhances your travel experience with benefits and services.

Although Emirates don't belong to an airline alliance, they have many airline partners, such as Flydubai, Qantas, and United Airlines, with which you can earn and spend points.

According to Emirates' own website, you can earn enough air miles for an upgrade after just one long-distance trip and your miles are valid for three years (unless you are a platinum member who enjoy no expiry while holding platinum status), so you’ll have plenty of time if you want to save up for something really special.

AAdvantage

• Airline: American Airlines
• Airline alliance: Oneworld
• Cost to join: Free

Minimum elite status requirement:

Gold: 40,000 loyalty points

Platinum: 75,000 loyalty points

Platinum Pro: 125,000 loyalty points

Executive Platinum: 200,000 loyalty points

(To earn each status you must earn the specified amount of loyalty points in a 12 month period - 1 point equates to roughly 1 mile, points can be earned outside of juut flying)

Special bonus: American Airlines doesn't just have airline partners with its alliance , it has so many others you can earn and spend points with such as Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways, and Air Tahiti Nui.

Check out the benefits you can earn through AAdvantge.

How to join Aadvantage: You can join Aadvantage by enrolling on the Aadvantage page on the American Airlines website.

American Airlines boast over 1000 ways to earn loyalty points with their loyalty program, AAdvantage. Some of the best ways is through credit card spending and flying with partner airlines and alliance partners.

The Program has been around since 1981 and remains the largest with a reported membership of more than 100 million. American Airlines has a fantastic reputation for international and domestic travellers alike.

It's important to note, however, that AAdvantage is now revenue-based, meaning miles are awarded based on dollars spent rather than number of miles flown. Also, your mileage credit will be forfeited if your account is inactive for 24 months.

Miles&More

• Airline: Lufthansa group (Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, Austrian Airlines, and Eurowings)
• Airline alliance: Star Alliance
• Cost to join: Free

Minimum elite status requirement: 

Frequent Traveler:  650 Points (with at least 325 “Qualifying” Points on Lufthansa Group airlines)

Senator: 2,000 points (1,000 qualifying points) 

HON Circle Member: 6,000 (all points must be qualifying)

Check out Miles & More benefits to see what you could earn!

(Regular points can be earned by flying on any Star Alliance airline, while Qualifying Points can be earned when flying on Lufthansa Group airlines only)

Special bonus Miles&More regularly launch good-value promotions where you can get more for your miles

How to join Miles&More: Join Miles&More by completing the registration form on the Miles&More website

Miles&More is the largest frequent flyer loyalty program in Europe with over 40 airline partners and 39 million members. The program began in 1993 and has different tiers for their member.

For standard Miles & More members, you only need one mile to join and your miles retain validity for 36 months, after which they expire. The other tiers in ascending order are For Frequent Travellers, Senators and HON Circle Card holders. For these members, miles have no expiration date. These status card holders are valid for 1 year, after which points can then expire.

MILES & SMILES

• Airline: Turkish Airlines
• Airline alliance: Star Alliance
• Cost to join: Free

Minimum elite status requirement:

Classic: 0 miles

Classic Plus: 25,000 level miles in 12 months

Elite: 40,000 miles in 12 months

Elite Plus: 80,000 miles in 12 months

(Each tier is valid for 2 years)

Check out Miles & Smiles benefits, details and more.

Special bonus: Of all the airlines, this frequent flyer program is the easiest to work out and may help you to become Star Alliance Gold status. Requalification for each tier is much more moderate with the 2 year validity. For example, a member outside Turkey needs only 27,500 miles over two years (or 25,000 in one year) to renew Elite membership.

How to join Miles&Smiles: Join Miles&Smiles by filling out the online application on the Turkish Airlines website

MILES&SMILES allows members of the Turkish Airlines frequent flyer program to access special services. These include:

• Award tickets
• Upgrades
• Lounge access
• Extra baggage allowance
• The use of business class counters
• Reservation priority
• Family mile pooling and more

With its main hub at Istanbul Airport (IST), Turkish Airlines is the flag carrier of Turkey and the world’s fourth-biggest airline in the world, flying to more international destinations than any other carrier. As long as you choose to fly with Turkish Airlines or a member of star alliance, you can take advantage of the many opportunities offered by the MILES&SMILES.

LifeMiles

• Airline: Avianca
• Airline alliance: Star Alliance
• Cost to join: Free

Minimum elite status requirement:

Red Plus: 6,000 qualifying miles (minimum 1,000 miles flown with Avianca)

Silver: 12,000 qualifying miles (6,000 miles flown with Avianca)

Gold: 24,000 qualifying miles (12,000 miles flown with Avianca)

Diamond: 45,000 qualifying miles (22,500 miles flown with Avianca)

Check out LifeMiles benefits.

Qualifying miles are earned at different rates:

• Flights or additional services with Avianca earn one qualifying mile for every 1 mile earned.
• Flights with Star Alliance members, paying with Avianca lifemiles credit and debit cards and more earn 1 qualifying miles for eevery 2 miles earned.
• Elite bonuses and other miles bonuses earn 1 qualifying mile for ever 20 miles earned.
  

Special bonus: It has one of the lowest requirements of elite status of all the airline rewards programs. On top of that LifeMiles count miles earned not just from flying but also from credit card transfers and other partner activity toward elite status. Helping you reach the next tier faster.

How to join LifeMiles: Visit the LifeMiles website to join LifeMiles and start earning points right away!

Avianca is the largest airline in Colombia and second largest in Latin America, so if you're a frequent traveller prone to jet-setting around the Americas it may be a frequent flyer program worth considering.

Launched in 1919, when it was initially registered under the name SCADTA, it’s also one of the oldest airlines in the world. LifeMiles members earn miles in a variety of ways with Star Alliance carriers and Avianca subsidiaries or use services in certain hotels and retail outlets.

LifeMiles do expire after 12 months of account inactivity.

Flying Blue

• Airline: KLM and Air France
• Airline alliance: SkyTeam
• Cost to join: Free

Minimum elite status requirement: 

Explorer: 0 XP

Silver: 100 XP in 12 months

Gold: 180 XP in 12 months

Platinum: 300 XP in 12 months

Ultimate: 900 UXP in 12 months (UXP is earned on flights only on marketed flights by Air France and KLM)

(Flying Blue runs on an "Experience Points" system "XP" that can be earned through flights, car rentals with specific partners, hotel stays and more. You must earn the requirement XP per year to maintain your status e.g. 100 XP in a year to maintain silver)

Check out the benefits of each tier for Flying Blue members.

Special bonus: Flying Blue launch new offers each month; usually discounted loyalty tickets that save you up to 50% on Award Miles.

How to join Flying Blue: Join Flying Blue by completing the online registration on the Air France website.

Flying Blue is the airline rewards scheme for both KLM and Air France. When the airlines merged in 2005, their frequent flyer programs (Fréquence Plus and Flying Dutchman) merged with them into Flying Blue. Most airlines within the Air France-KLM family now use Flying Blue, including Kenya Airways, Aircalin and Tarom.

Flying Blue is growing rapidly, which isn't a surprise given that Air France operates 15,00 daily departures to 191 destinations. More than 100,000 new members sign up for Flying Blue each month and its slogan is "explorer le monde".

Flying Blue miles expire after 24 months of inactivity for non-elite members. If you have at least Silver status or have the Flying Blue credit card, your miles don’t expire.

Executive Club

• Airline: British Airways
• Airline alliance: Oneworld
• Cost to join: Free

Minimum elite status requirement:

Blue: 0 tier points

Bronze: 3,500 tier points in a calendar year

Silver: 7,500 tier points in a calendar year

Gold: 20,000 tier points in a calendar year

Discover the benefits you can earn with British Airways Executive club.

Special bonus: The elite lounge access allows you to bring in a guest and you can pool your points, or Avios, with up to 6 people who live with you, including children, with your Household Account to earn rewards quicker.

Avios can be used beyond the British Airways Executive Club. Qatar Airways adopted Avios for its Privilege Club Program, allowing you to use Avios through their membership program, as well as other Avios airlines like BA, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling.

How to join the Executive Club: Join the Executive Club and start earning Avios points by visiting the Executive Club page on the British Airways website.

British Airways liken their rewards scheme to a holiday fund. Their tiered loyalty program sees people earn Avios and spend their well-earned points on any British Airways or partner carrier flights.

The Executive Club was launched in 1995 and later became the founding member of the Oneworld global airline. Their Executive Club program has a distinct reward currency, AviosAvios. Avios is a coalition program, offering members of the frequent flyer programs of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling thousands of ways to earn and redeem Avios for flights, hotels, and even travel experiences.

Avios expires after 26 months of no activity.

How can I maximise my frequent flyer benefits?

To maximize frequent flyer benefits, start by enrolling in loyalty programs of airlines you frequently fly with and consider affiliated credit cards for bonus points.

It's a good idea to strategically book flights during promotions, explore longer routes for more miles and use shopping portals and dining programs to earn additional miles.

Additionally, achieving elite status within a loyalty program can unlock many valuable perks, so aim for that by flying more and staying informed about program changes. When redeeming your miles, prioritise high-value rewards like premium cabin flights. We recommend diversifying your miles by joining multiple programs to tailor your strategy to your travel goals and habits.