These Hotels And Airlines Have The Best Rewards Programs

Companies like Expedia and Kayak make it so easy for people to choose flights or hotels based on lowest price instead of brand loyalty. And as a result, it seems almost every airline and hotel chain has their own rewards program to entice their customers to keep coming back.

But which of these programs actually deserve your loyalty?

U.S. News & World Report just released its fourth annual ranking of the best rewards programs for hotels and airlines based in the United States. Each ranking includes criteria such as ease of earning a free night or flight, network coverage, property diversity and airline quality.

Both lists also took into account the number of ways you can use your rewards and the added perks you receive as a member. Take a look below to see both complete rankings, and visit U.S. News for even more information on each program.

Best Hotel Rewards Programs

#1 Marriott Rewards

Biggest Perk: No blackout dates when redeeming free nights on standard rooms, which means you can travel whenever it's convenient for you.

#2 Wyndham Rewards

Biggest perk: Free stays at all-inclusive properties cover meals, drinks and amenities. (Wyndham has more than 8,000 participating properties worldwide!)

#3. Choice Privileges

Biggest Perk: Extra rewards if you stay during weeknights.

#4 World of Hyatt

Biggest Perk: Your points can be converted to airline miles.

#5 Best Western Rewards

Biggest Perk: Your points never expire so you can hold onto them until you're ready for a vacation.

#6 IHG Rewards Club

Biggest Perk: IHG has 5,000 properties in nearly 100 countries plus numerous hotels in major cities like New York City, Chicago, San Francisco and Miami.

#7 La Quinta Returns

Biggest Perk: You can earn points at budget hotels and spend them at higher-end properties.

#8 Club Carlson

Biggest Perk: Carlson Rezidor brands have a wide range of hotels to accommodate any budget.

#9 Starwood Preferred Guest

Biggest Perk: You can trade in your points for room upgrades and event tickets.

#10 Leaders Club

Biggest Perk: The sky's the limit on how many free nights you can earn in a year.

#11 Hilton Honors

Biggest Perk: You can earn hotel points and airline miles for the same stay.

#12 Omni Select Guest

Biggest Perk: Omni's easy-to-understand program rules and regulations.

#13 Stash Hotel Rewards

Biggest Perk: Its independently owned properties offer more unique experiences that you can't get at other brand-name hotels.

#14 Le Club AccorHotels

Biggest Perk: Additional hotel services like dining and spa treatments will earn you points.

#15 Kimpton Karma Rewards

Biggest Perk: Your rewards are transferable.

#16 iPrefer Hotel Rewards

Biggest Perk: Insider benefits like complimentary internet access (Hello, Wi-Fi!) and discounted room rates.

#17 Fairmont President's Club

Biggest Perk: You can also earn rewards on Swissôtel and Raffles properties.

Best Airline Rewards Programs

#1 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Biggest Perk: You can earn and redeem miles on more than 18 partner airlines.

#2 Delta SkyMiles

Biggest Perk: You'll earn miles on hotel and Airbnb stays.

#3 JetBlue TrueBlue

Biggest Perk: Social media participation will get you extra rewards!

#4 Southwest Rapid Rewards

Biggest Perk: Miles can be used for any available seat on any Southwest flight — not just the ones way in the back.

#5 United MileagePlus

Biggest Perk: United and its partner airlines fly to more than 1,100 destinations worldwide, so you can rack up those points no matter where you're going.

#6 American Airlines AAdvantage

Biggest Perk: Miles can be redeemed for air travel, hotel stays, car rentals and retail gift cards (Hey, you'll want to shop on your hard-earned vacation, right?)

#7 HawaiianMiles

Biggest Perk: You're able to earn miles retroactively. In other words, past flights count.

#8 Frontier EarlyReturns

Biggest Perk: The airline flies to a wide selection of smaller airports.

#9 Free Spirit

Biggest Perk: You'll get access to exclusive promotions and offers.