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The results are in for the 2016 Freddie Awards. Rapid Rewards from Southwest Airlines has taken out the top spot in this years airline category and Marriott Rewards banked a win for the favorite hotel loyalty program.
The annual Freddie Awards rank the best loyalty programs across the travel industry, split geographically across the Americas, Europe & Africa, and the Middle East & Asia/Oceania. Created to reflect and celebrate the views of the world's frequent flyers; the results are compiled from nearly 3 million ballots submitted by travelers each year.
One of my favorite features of the Freddie's is the separation between the best program of the year and the best elite program in each category. It recognizes the separate sub-groups within the frequent traveler community and takes into account that elite loyalty members often have different priorities than regular rewards travelers.
This year American Airlines AAdvantage took out the top spot for the Best Elite Program in the airline category with Hyatt Gold Passport securing first place out of the elite hotel loyalty programs.
Having different winners across the regular/elite categories is a reflection of the different values customers place on loyalty programs. Regular and first-tier members set a lot of value in the availability of flights and rooms when voting for Marriott and Southwest.
AAdvantage and Hyatt Gold Passport on the other hand, while setting the bar high for elite qualification, offer good upgrades and personalized service, catering to frequent business travelers.
The big winners outside of the America's where Le Club Accor and Air France's Flying Blue, both taking home five gongs, and Virgin Australia claiming three awards in Oceania. See the full list of winners below.
Americas
Airline
Program of the Year — Southwest Airlines – Rapid Rewards
Best Elite Program — American Airlines – AAdvantage
Best Promotion — Avianca – LifeMiles
Best Customer Service — Southwest Airlines – Rapid Rewards
Best Redemption Ability — Avianca – LifeMiles
210 AWARD — Avianca – LifeMiles
Hotel
Program of the Year — Marriott Hotels – Marriott Rewards
Best Elite Program — Hyatt – Gold Passport
Best Promotion — MGM – M life
Best Customer Service — Marriott Hotels – Marriott Rewards
Best Redemption Ability — Marriott Hotels – Marriott Rewards
210 AWARD — MGM – M life
Credit Card
Best Loyalty Credit Card — Starwood – Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card
Europe & Africa
Airline
Program of the Year — AIR FRANCE/KLM – Flying Blue
Best Elite Program — Lufthansa – Miles & More
Best Promotion — AIR FRANCE/KLM – Flying Blue
Best Customer Service — AIR FRANCE/KLM – Flying Blue
Best Redemption Ability — AIR FRANCE/KLM – Flying Blue
210 AWARD — Norwegian Air – Norwegian Reward
Hotel
Program of the Year — Accor Hotels – Le Club Accorhotels
Best Elite Program — Starwood – Starwood Preferred Guest
Best Promotion — Accor Hotels – Le Club Accorhotels
Best Customer Service — Accor Hotels – Le Club Accorhotels
Best Redemption Ability — IHG – IHG Rewards Club
210 AWARD — IHG – IHG Rewards Club
Middle East & Asia/Oceania
Airline
Program of the Year — Virgin Australia – Velocity
Best Elite Program — EL AL – Matmid Club
Best Promotion — EL AL – Matmid Club
Best Customer Service — Virgin Australia – Velocity
Best Redemption Ability — Virgin Australia – Velocity
210 AWARD — Jet Airways – JetPrivilege
Hotel
Program of the Year — Accor Hotels – Le Club Accorhotels
Best Elite Program — Hyatt – Gold Passport
Best Promotion — Accor Hotels – Le Club Accorhotels
Best Customer Service — IHG – IHG Rewards Club
Best Redemption Ability — IHG – IHG Rewards Club
210 AWARD — ITC Hotels – Club ITC
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