Flight search engine point.me has released its 2025 ranking of the world’s best airline rewards programmes.
The company analysed over 22 million searches from September 2024 through to August 2025, tracking multiple data points to determine the top 10. Ranking of the airline rewards programmes was ultimately decided according to eight criteria:
- Ease of earning miles
- Redemption rates
- Partner opportunities
- Redemption experience
- Award availability
- Ease of holding an award/ticket
- Customer service
- Change/cancellation policies
With a final score of 92.38 points, Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue loyalty programme was ranked first place for the second year in a row. point.me highlighted the extensive partnerships and links to the SkyTeam network that make it easy for passengers to transfer points from major credit cards.
American Airlines’ AAdvantage scheme climbed four spots in the rankings between 2024 and 2025 to take second place. Thanks to a new transfer partnership with Citi Bank and a flexible cancellation policy, the programme has become an increasingly attractive choice for customers.
Meanwhile, Air Canada Aeroplan dropped five places from second to seventh for the 2025 list. While the rewards offering remains competitive, the lower ranking comes as a result of limited international routes availability and a decline in customer service.
North American, European, and Middle Eastern airlines dominated the rankings, with no airlines from APAC or LatAm cracking the top 10.
point.me’s research concluded that the rewards programme market remains highly dynamic, although four key factors stand out for separating great schemes from the good:
- Earning ease. Travellers want to earn points in multiple ways, including through credit card spending.
- Strong partnerships. Programmes who leverage partners to provide global redemption opportunities emerge stronger.
- Customer experience. Customers expect quick booking, speedy problem resolution, and flexible cancellations.
- Award availability. Travellers want to use their points, and programmes that consistently give them real opportunities to do so rank higher.
The final top 10 rewards ranking was as follows:
- Air France-KLM FlyingBlue
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- United MileagePlus
- The British Airways Club
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Emirates Skywards
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
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