{"id":2820,"date":"2016-05-11T13:18:45","date_gmt":"2016-05-11T13:18:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=2820"},"modified":"2026-04-08T13:08:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T13:08:56","slug":"the-big-winners-at-the-2016-freddie-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/the-big-winners-at-the-2016-freddie-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"The Big Winners At The 2016 Freddie Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

The results are in for the 2016 Freddie Awards<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The 2016 Freddie Awards In Las Vegas<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Americas<\/span><\/h2>\n

Airline<\/span><\/h3>\n

Program of the Year<\/b> \u2014 Southwest Airlines \u2013 Rapid Rewards<\/i>
\nBest Elite Program<\/b> \u2014 American Airlines \u2013 AAdvantage<\/i>
\nBest Promotion<\/b> \u2014 Avianca \u2013 LifeMiles<\/i>
\nBest Customer Service<\/b> \u2014 Southwest Airlines \u2013 Rapid Rewards<\/i>
\nBest Redemption Ability<\/b> \u2014 Avianca \u2013 LifeMiles<\/i>
\n210 AWARD<\/b>\u00a0\u2014 Avianca \u2013 LifeMiles<\/i><\/p>\n

Hotel<\/span><\/h3>\n

Program of the Year<\/b> \u2014 Marriott Hotels \u2013 Marriott Rewards<\/i>
\nBest Elite Program<\/b> \u2014 Hyatt \u2013 Gold Passport<\/i>
\nBest Promotion<\/b> \u2014 MGM \u2013 M life<\/i>
\nBest Customer Service<\/b> \u2014 Marriott Hotels \u2013 Marriott Rewards<\/i>
\nBest Redemption Ability<\/b> \u2014 Marriott Hotels \u2013 Marriott Rewards<\/i>
\n210 AWARD<\/b>\u00a0\u2014 MGM \u2013 M life<\/i><\/p>\n

Credit Card<\/span><\/h3>\n

Best Loyalty Credit Card<\/b> \u2014 Starwood \u2013 Marriott Bonvoy\u2122 American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/i><\/p>\n

Europe & Africa<\/span><\/h2>\n

Airline<\/span><\/h3>\n

Program of the Year<\/b> \u2014 AIR FRANCE\/KLM \u2013 Flying Blue<\/i>
\nBest Elite Program<\/b> \u2014 Lufthansa \u2013 Miles & More<\/i>
\nBest Promotion<\/b> \u2014 AIR FRANCE\/KLM \u2013 Flying Blue<\/i>
\nBest Customer Service<\/b> \u2014 AIR FRANCE\/KLM \u2013 Flying Blue<\/i>
\nBest Redemption Ability<\/b> \u2014 AIR FRANCE\/KLM \u2013 Flying Blue<\/i>
\n210 AWARD<\/b> \u2014 Norwegian Air \u2013 Norwegian Reward<\/i><\/p>\n

Hotel<\/span><\/h3>\n

Program of the Year<\/b> \u2014 Accor Hotels \u2013 Le Club Accorhotels<\/i>
\nBest Elite Program<\/b> \u2014 Starwood \u2013 Starwood Preferred Guest<\/i>
\nBest Promotion<\/b> \u2014\u00a0Accor Hotels \u2013 Le Club Accorhotels<\/i>
\nBest Customer Service<\/b> \u2014 Accor Hotels \u2013\u00a0Le Club Accorhotels<\/i>
\nBest Redemption Ability<\/b> \u2014 IHG \u2013 IHG Rewards Club<\/i>
\n210 AWARD<\/b>\u00a0\u2014 IHG \u2013 IHG Rewards Club<\/i><\/p>\n

Middle East & Asia\/Oceania<\/span><\/h2>\n

Airline<\/span><\/h3>\n

Program of the Year<\/b> \u2014 Virgin Australia \u2013 Velocity<\/i>
\nBest Elite Program<\/b> \u2014 EL AL \u2013 Matmid Club<\/i>
\nBest Promotion<\/b> \u2014 EL AL \u2013 Matmid Club<\/i>
\nBest Customer Service<\/b> \u2014 Virgin Australia \u2013 Velocity<\/i>
\nBest Redemption Ability<\/b> \u2014 Virgin Australia \u2013 Velocity<\/i>
\n210 AWARD<\/b>\u00a0\u2014 Jet Airways\u00a0\u2013\u00a0JetPrivilege<\/i><\/p>\n

Hotel<\/span><\/h3>\n

Program of the Year<\/b> \u2014 Accor Hotels \u2013 Le Club Accorhotels<\/i>
\nBest Elite Program<\/b> \u2014 Hyatt \u2013 Gold Passport<\/i>
\nBest Promotion<\/b> \u2014 Accor Hotels \u2013 Le Club Accorhotels<\/i>
\nBest Customer Service<\/b> \u2014 IHG \u2013 IHG Rewards Club<\/i>
\nBest Redemption Ability<\/b> \u2014 IHG \u2013 IHG Rewards Club<\/i>
\n210 AWARD<\/b> \u2014 ITC Hotels\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Club ITC<\/i><\/p>\n

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