WELCOME TO OUR SUPER SWEET 16! Much like the iconic MTV show of the same name, we’re throwing an over-the-top, grand celebration in honor of this year’s GT Tested Reader Survey award winners! This year, 2019, marks the 16th anniversary of our GT Tested Reader Survey awards, and what better way to commemorate the milestone than with an epic Sweet 16 shindig.

Raymond Duncan, an American dancer, artist and poet, said, “The best substitute for experience is being sixteen.” As we turn 16, we know where to look for experience, and that’s to you, our readers. Intrepid, frequent, luxury travelers yourselves, you know the standouts, and you voted for them, from airlines and airports to hotels and credit cards. Join us on the following pages as we throw confetti on the sparklers of the travel industry and unveil the winners in our 16th annual survey.

On this year’s guest list is a who’s who of the travel industry’s best and brightest, and we begin with the airlines. Paint a party hat and a birthday cake on these liveries, because they’re joining the Sweet 16 party.

For the fifth consecutive year, Singapore Airlines is flying away with the Best Overall Airline in the World accolade. Another milestone birthday, oneworld celebrates its 10th consecutive win as Best Airline Alliance. For Best Aircraft Type, Airbus A350 takes home this year’s nod.

American Airlines wins a bevy of awards this year including Best Airline Website for AA.com, for the third consecutive year; Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific, also for the third year in a row; a fourth win as Best Airline for Domestic First Class; a two-time nod as Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service for the AAdvantage program; and Best Airline App for the second consecutive year.

New to the party this year is the category of Best Airline Lounges, and Delta Air Lines snagged the invitation for its Delta Sky Clubs. But that’s not all for Delta, as the airline also claims Best Flight Attendant Uniforms and Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program for its SkyMiles Diamond Medallion.

Lufthansa earns a spot on this year’s list with its win for Best Airline for International First Class. For business class it’s Turkish Airlines, taking its third win for Best Airline for Business Class. Turkish Airlines also wins Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers for the second year in a row for its Turkish Airlines Corporate Club, and a third win as Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents.

ASIANA AIRLINES
Best Airline for Onboard Service and Best Airline for Flight Attendants PHOTO: © ASIANA AIRLINES

Sixteen is also sweet for three airline winners: Asiana Airlines, earning its 16th consecutive win for both Best Airline for Onboard Service and Best Airline for Flight Attendants; South African Airways, with 16 wins as Best Airline in Africa; and United Airlines’ United MileagePlus program’s 16th win for Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program. MileagePlus is also the Best Frequent- Flyer Bonus Program winner for the seventh consecutive year.

Rounding out our frequent-flyer program categories is LifeMiles from Avianca, winning Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption.

Both Alitalia and Air France are twice as nice, appearing two times on this year’s lineup of all stars. Alitalia takes Best Airline Cuisine for the 10th year in a row and Best Business-Class Seat Design for the second time, while Air France gets its second nod as Best First-Class Seat Design and its first win for Best Airline for New Service Launch for its Paris (CDG) to Dallas (DFW) route.

Put 13 candles on the cake for EL AL Israel Airlines, Best Airline for Security 13 years running, before we take a birthday tour around the globe with these winners: Air Canada, Best Airline in North America; LATAM Airlines Group, six-time Best Airline to South America; Aeromexico, securing a 10th win for Best Airline in Mexico; TAP Air Portugal, not far behind with its ninth win for Best Airline in Europe; Virgin Australia, Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand; Air Tahiti Nui, Best Airline in the South Pacific for the second consecutive year; LOT Polish Airlines, three-time Best Airline in Eastern Europe; Emirates, Best Airline in the Middle East two years running; China Airlines and Hainan Airlines, both seven-time winners for Best Airline in North Asia and Best Airline in China, respectively; Air India, Best Airline in Central/ South Asia & India for the sixth consecutive year; and Japan Airlines, three- time Best Airline to Japan winner. Japan Airlines also wins Best Trans-Pacific Airline for the third time, and Brussels Airlines is named Best Trans-Atlantic Airline for the second time.

Travel is a gift, so we can consider these gateways presents. Let’s get to unwrapping the ones with the biggest bows, our 2019 airport winners. Of this bunch, who is the sweet 16? That would be Chicago O’Hare International Airport, bringing its 16th win as Best Airport in North America to the Windy City.

SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT
Best Overall Airport in the World
PHOTO: © SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT

This year’s Best Overall Airport in the World is pulling double duty. Singapore Changi Airport takes its fourth nod for best overall as well as its third win for Best Duty- Free Shopping in Asia. Another Asian airport receiving accolades is Incheon International Airport, Best Airport in Asia for the third consecutive year.

Where else in the world are the best airports located? Let’s start in Africa, where Addis Ababa Bole International Airport earns its second Best Airport in Africa honor. Seychelles International Airport is this year’s Best Duty-Free Shopping in Africa winner.

In Europe, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Munich Airport are winners as Best Airport in Europe, for the second consecutive year, and Best Duty-Free Shopping in Europe, respectively.

Dubai Duty Free takes two honors this year: Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World, for 13 years running, and Best Duty-Free Shopping in the Middle East for the third consecutive year. Also a three-time winner is Hamad International Airport in Doha, Best Airport in the Middle East.

It’s time for the last present on the pile — the rest of our airport winners! Rounding out the winners are El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá, Best Airport in South America, two consecutive years; Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, six-time Best Airport Dining winner; Miami International Airport, Best Airport Shopping; and Ontario International Airport in Ontario, California, Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport, two years running.

American educator Luther Duncan is noted as saying, “Sixteen candles make a lovely light, but not as bright as your eyes tonight.” However, we know the true candles burning bright, like beacons in the night, are this year’s hotel winners.

THE RITZ-CARLTON
Best International Hotel Chain and Best Domestic Hotel Chain PHOTO: © THE RITZ-CARLTON

Providing a very lovely light is The Ritz-Carlton, winning both Best International Hotel Chain and Best Domestic Hotel Chain for the fifth year in a row. Also taking home its fifth win is Lotte Hotel Seoul for Best MICE Hotel. The South Korean property also earns its eighth win as Best Hotel in South Korea.

On the cusp of sweet 16 is IHG Rewards Club; in 2019 the hotel loyalty program takes its 15th win as Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World. IHG Rewards Club also wins Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program, while IHG.com is Best Hotel Website.

While we’re on the subject of hotel loyalty programs, let’s also applaud Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program; World of Hyatt, Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption; and Marriott Bonvoy, Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service for the second consecutive year.

Moxy Hotels stole the spotlight from long-time winner Andaz and debuts this year as Best Lifestyle Hotel. The Peninsula Beverly Hills is true to its consistent and impeccable service with its ninth consecutive win as Best Hotel in the United States.

Elsewhere around the globe, we jump out of a cake for Mandarin Oriental, Taipei, Best Hotel in Asia, three years in a row; Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, Munich, Best Hotel in Europe; St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, four-time Best European Hotel Chain; Oberoi Hotels, Best Hotel Chain in Asia; Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Best Hotel Chain in Latin America; Fiesta Americana, taking home its ninth Best Hotel Chain in Mexico; and Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East, two years running. Also in the Middle East, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah earns its second nod as Best Hotel in the Middle East, and The Address Hotel Downtown Dubai is Best Individual Hotel in the World. Best Hotel App goes to Hilton Hotels.

Surprise! We’re throwing a party for these travel provider winners, some of whom may or may not be a surprise to those of you who voted. One winner that’s deservedly not surprising is Briggs & Riley; the luggage company wins its 10th consecutive Best Luggage Brand trophy. Approaching that same milestone is Boingo Wireless, nine-time Best WiFi Service winner.

Best Airport Parking
PHOTO: © THE PARKING SPOT

As we turn 16, it’s apt we award Volvo and Hertz, driving away with Best Overseas Delivery Program for the fourth year and Best Rental Car Company for the sixth year, respectively. A newbie to the list this year is Best Airport Parking, which goes to The Parking Spot. Also debuting on the list in 2019 is Best Small- to Mid-Sized Business Program, and the winner is IHG Business Edge.

Seoul claims its fifth consecutive nod as Best MICE City, while India makes its mark as Best Tourism Destination for the first time.

PHOTO: © UNITED

Break out the party dresses because we are still in celebration mode! Our last category of winners comprises the best of the best when it comes to credit cards. We begin with the United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase, winning Best Overall Credit Card and Best Credit Card Rewards Program, both for eight consecutive years. The United Explorer Card from Chase celebrates its seventh Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions win.

Another frequent-flyer affinity card boasting double wins is Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America, with its eighth win for Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card and its first for Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits. Rounding out the airline co-branded cards is Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard, earning Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions for the sixth year.

For the first time, Citi Entertainment receives Best Credit Card Special Events accolades, and Capital One Spark Miles for Business achieves the Best Small Business Credit Card nod. And for the second consecutive year, Princess Cruises Visa Signature Card from Barclays receives Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card.

As the largest hotel company in the world, it’s no surprise co-branded Marriott Bonvoy cards dominated the co-branded hotel credit card categories. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase takes its eighth award as Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card and its first win as Best Frequent-Stay Credit Card Redemptions. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express celebrates two wins: Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions and Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits.

Attributed to anonymous, another saying about turning the sweet age of 16 goes, “At 16, the world is yours to have. You can do, you can be, anything you put your mind to.” With these award-winning travel providers, the world is yours to have and the future is bright. Congratulations to these winners, and here’s to another sweet 16 years.

THE VOTING PROCESS

Open-ended ballots ran in subscriber copies of Global Traveler and online at globaltravelerusa.com/survey from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, 2019. Ballots were distributed via direct mail and email during the same period. Ballots returned with less than 50 percent of the fields completed were disqualified. More than 20,000 qualified ballots were returned during the voting period. Employees of FX Express Publications, Inc., and affiliated members of the travel industry were not allowed to participate.

AWARD WINNERS 2019

Best Overall Airline in the World

1. Singapore Airlines
2. United Airlines
3. Delta Air Lines
4. Swiss International Air Lines
5. Asiana Airlines
6. Qatar Airways
7. British Airways
8. Emirates
9. Korean Air
10. Lufthansa

Best Airline Alliance

1. oneworld
2. Star Alliance
3. SkyTeam

Best Aircraft Type

1. Airbus A350
2. Boeing 787
3. Boeing 777
4. Airbus A330
5. Boeing 747
6. Airbus A380
7. Airbus A340
8. Boeing 767
9. Boeing 737

Best Airline Website

1. AA.com
2. delta.com
3. united.com
4. alaskaair.com
5. southwest.com
6. britishairways.com
7. jetblue.com
8. china-airlines.com
9. qatarairways.com
10. hongkongairlines.com

Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific

1. American Airlines
2. United Airlines
3. Japan Airlines
4. China Southern Airlines
5. Hainan Airlines
6. All Nippon Airways
7. China Eastern Airlines
8. China Airlines
9. Xiamen Airlines
10. Hong Kong Airlines

Best Airline for Business Class

1. Turkish Airlines
2. Singapore Airlines
3. United Airlines
4. Alitalia
5. Qatar Airways
6. Delta Air Lines
7. Asiana Airlines
8. China Airlines
9. Lufthansa
10. Hong Kong Airlines

Best Airline for International First Class

1. Lufthansa
2. Emirates
3. Etihad Airways
4. Cathay Pacific Airways
5. Qatar Airways
6. Singapore Airlines
7. Swiss International Air Lines
8. Korean Air
9. Japan Airlines
10. Air France

Best Airline for Domestic First Class

1. American Airlines
2. United Airlines
3. Delta Air Lines
4. Alaska Airlines

Best Airline for Onboard Service

1. Asiana Airlines
2. Singapore Airline
3. Turkish Airlines
4. Emirates
5. LATAM Airlines Group
6. Korean Air
7. Qatar Airways
8. South African Airways
9. Swiss International Air Lines
10. Hong Kong Airlines

Best Airline Lounges

1. Delta Sky Club
2. American Airlines Admirals Club
3. United Polaris Club
4. Alaska Airlines Alaska Board Room
5. Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club
6. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
7. Star Alliance Lounges
8. British Airways Lounges
9. American Express Centurion Lounges

Best Airline for Flight Attendants

1. Asiana Airlines
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Lufthansa
4. Etihad Airways
5. Emirates
6. Hong Kong Airlines
7. LATAM Airlines Group
8. Qatar Airways
9. Korean Air
10. South African Airways

Best Flight Attendant Uniforms

1. Delta Air Lines
2. Air France
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Emirates
5. Asiana Airlines
6. Turkish Airlines
7. Korean Air
8. Etihad Airways
9. China Airlines
10. Qatar Airways

Best Airline Cuisine

1. Alitalia
2. Swiss International Air Lines
3. Brussels Airlines
4. Air France
5. Singapore Airlines
6. Lufthansa
7. Turkish Airlines
8. Etihad Airways
9. Qatar Airways
10. Asiana Airlines

Best Airline for Security

1. EL AL Israel Airlines
2. Swiss International Air Lines
3. British Airways
4. Lufthansa
5. United Airlines
6. Austrian Airlines

Best First-Class Seat Design

1. Air France
2. All Nippon Airways
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Qantas
5. Qatar Airways
6. American Airlines
7. British Airways
8. Emirates
9. Japan Airlines
10. Etihad Airways

Best Business-Class Seat Design

1. Alitalia
2. Asiana Airlines
3. Singapore Airlines
4. LATAM Airlines Group
5. Turkish Airlines
6. Swiss International Air Lines
7. Hong Kong Airlines
8. Qantas
9. China Airlines
10. Cathay Pacific Airways

Best Airline for New Service Launch

1. Air France (CDG to DFW)
2. American Airlines (CLT to MUC)
3. British Airways (PIT to LHR)
4. KLM (BOS to AMS)
5. Singapore Airlines (SIN to EWR)
6. Air New Zealand (AKL to ORD)
7. United Airlines (SFO to AMS)
8. Air India (BOM to JFK)
9. American Airlines (CLT to NRT)
10. TAP Air Portugal (LIS to SFO)

Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers

1. Turkish Airlines Corporate Club
2. American Airlines Business Extra
3. United PerksPlus
4. American Express Platinum Card
5. Delta SkyBonus
6. Air Canada Corporate Rewards
7. Lufthansa PartnerPlus
8. Air France SkyBlue
9. Korean Air KAL BIZ
10. British Airways One Business

Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program

1. United MileagePlus
2. American Airlines AAdvantage
3. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
4. Lufthansa Miles & More
5. Air Canada Aeroplan
6. JetBlue TrueBlue
7. Southwest Rapid Rewards
8. British Airways Executive Club
9. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program

1. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Diamond Medallion
2. United MileagePlus Premier Executive 1K
3. American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum
4. Alska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold
5. Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles Pualani Platinum Membership
6. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred
7. Frontier Airlines Early Returns Summit Level
8. JetBlue TrueBlue

Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program

1. United MileagePlus
2. American Airlines AAdvantage
3. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
4. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
5. LATAM Fidelidade
6. Air Canada Aeroplan
7. LifeMiles (Avianca)
8. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
9. Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian-Miles
10. Frontier Early Returns

Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption

1. LifeMiles (Avianca)
2. Air Canada Aeroplan
3. American Airlines AAdvantage
4. United MileagePlus
5. Delta SkyMiles
6. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
7. LATAM Fidelidade
8. Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian-Miles
9. Frontier Early Returns

Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service

1. American Airlines AAdvantage
2.  United MileagePlus
3.  Air Canada Aeroplan
4.  Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
5. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
6.  LATAM Pass
7.  LifeMiles (Avianca)
8.  Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian-Mile

Best Airline in North America

1. Air Canada
2. American Airlines
3. Delta Air Lines
4.  United Airlines
5.  JetBlue
6.  Alaska Airlines
7.  Frontier Airlines
8.  Porter Airlines
9.  Southwest Airlines

Best Airline to South America

1. LATAM Airlines Group
2. Avianca
3. Aerolineas Argentinas

Best Airline in Mexico

1. Aeromexico
2. Interjet
3. VivaAerobus
4. Volaris

Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand

1. Virgin Australia
2. Qantas
3. Air New Zealand
4. Air Tahiti Nui
5. Fiji Airways

Best Airline in the South Pacific

1. Air Tahiti Nui
2. Fiji Airways
3. Virgin Australia
4. Qantas
5. Air New Zealand

Best Airline in Europe

1. TAP Air Portugal
2. Brussels Airlines
3. Austrian Airlines
4. Swiss International Air Lines
5. Lufthansa
6. Virgin Atlantic Airways
7. British Airway
8. Iberia
9. Aer Lingus
10. Alitalia

Best Airline in Eastern Europe

1. LOT Polish Airlines
2. Aeroflot
3. S7 Airlines
4. Transaero
5. Wizzair
6. Adria Airways
7. Croatia Airlines
8. Tarom Romanian Airlines

Best Airline in Africa

1. South African Airways
2. Kenya Airways
3. Air Namibia
4. Air Seychelles
5. Royal Air Maroc
6. Air Mauritius
7. Ethiopian Airlines
8. TAAG Angola Airlines
9. Mango
10. Kulula

Best Airline in the Middle East

1. Emirates
2. Qatar Airways
3. Etihad Airways
4. Saudi Arabian Airlines
5. EL AL Israel Airlines
6. Royal Jordanian
7. Middle East Airlines
8. Gulf Air
9. Royal Air Maroc
10. EgyptAir

Best Airline in North Asia (excluding China)

1. China Airlines
2. EVA Air
3. Asiana Airlines
4. Korean Air
5. Japan Airlines
6. Cathay Pacific Airways
7. Dragonair
8. All Nippon Airways
9. Hong Kong Airlines

Best Airline in China

1. Hainan Airlines
2. Air China
3. China Southern Airlines
4. Shenzhen Airlines
5. China Eastern Airlines
6. Juneyao Airlines
7. Shandong Airlines
8. Spring Airlines
9. Sichuan Airlines
10. Tianjin Airlines

Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India

1. Air India
2. Indigo
3. SpiceJet
4. SriLankan Airlines
5. Mihin Lanka
6. Air Astana
7. Biman Bangladesh Airlines
8. PIA

Best Airline to Japan

1. Japan Airlines
2. All Nippon Airways
3. American Airlines
4. United Airlines
5. Delta Air Lines

Best Trans-Atlantic Airline

1. Brussels Airlines
2. TAP Air Portugal
3. American Airlines
4. United Airlines
5. Swiss International Air Lines
6. Air France
7. Lufthansa
8. Delta Air Lines
9. British Airways
10. Austrian Airlines

Best Trans-Pacific Airline

1. Japan Airlines
2.  Asiana Airlines
3. Singapore Airlines
4. China Southern Airlines
5. 5. Korean Air
6. Hong Kong Airlines
7. United Airlines
8. China Eastern Airlines
9. Delta Air Lines

Best Overall Airport in the World

1. Singapore Changi Airport
2. Incheon International Airport
3. Hamad International Airport,Doha
4. Munich Airport
5. Shanghai International Airport
6. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
7. Frankfurt am Main Airport
8. Beijing Capital International Airport
9. Hong Kong International Airport
10. Tokyo Haneda International Airport

Best Airport in North America

1. Chicago O’Hare International Airport
2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
3. Denver International Airport
4. Miami International Airport
5. San Francisco International Airport
6. George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston
7. Portland International Airport
8. Pittsburgh International Airport
9. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
10. Newark Liberty International Airport

Best Airport in Asia

1. Incheon International Airport
2. Singapore Changi Airport
3. Taipei Taoyuan International Airport
4. Tokyo Haneda International Airport
5. Osaka Kansai International Airport
6. Hong Kong International Airport
7. Kuala Lumpur International Airport
8. Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
9. Tokyo Narita International Airport
10. Beijing Capital International Airport

Best Airport in Africa

1. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
2. King Shaka International Airport Durban
3. Cape Town International Airport
4. Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos
5. Port Elizabeth International Airport
6. O.R. Tambo International Airport Johannesburg
7. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Mauritius International Airport
8. Cairo International Airport 9. Seychelles International Airport

Best Airport in Europe

1. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
2. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
3. Zürich Kloten International Airport
4. Frankfurt am Main Airport
5. Munich Airport
6. Brussels Zaventem Airport
7. Vienna International Airport
8. London Heathrow Airport
9. Copenhagen Airport
10. Hamburg Airport

Best Airport in the Middle East

1. Hamad International Airport, Doha
2. Dubai International Airport
3. Bahrain International Airport
4. Abu Dhabi International Airport
5. Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport Medina
6. Muscat International Airport
7. King Khalid InternationalAirport Riyadh
8. King Fahd International Airport Damman
9. Al Maktoum Dubai World Central

Best Airport in South America

1. El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá
2. Jorge Chávez International Airport
3. Quito International Airport
4. José Joaquín de Olmedo Guayaquil International Airport
5. São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport
6. Ministro Pistarini Buenos Aires International Airport
7. Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez Santiago International Airport
8. Rio de Janeiro International Airport
9. Simón Bolívar Caracas International Airport

Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents

1. Turkish Airlines
2. Singapore Airlines
3. United Airlines
4. EVA Air
5. Lufthansa
6. Delta Air Lines
7. Asiana Airlines
8. Qatar Airways
9. Emirates
10. Etihad Airways

Best Airport Dining

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
2. Singapore Changi Airport
3. Hamad International Airport
4. Brussels Zaventem Airport
5. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
6. London Heathrow Airport
7. Vienna International Airport
8. Los Angeles International Airport
9. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
10. Frankfurt am Main Airport

Best Airport Shopping

1. Miami International Airport
2. Dubai International Airport
3. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
4. Incheon International Airport
5. Hamad International Airport, Doha
6. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
7. London Heathrow Airport
8. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
9. Hong Kong International Airport
10. Zürich Kloten International Airport

Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport

1. Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California
2. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
3. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
4. Los Angeles International Airport
5. Dallas Love Field Airport
6. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
7. Nashville International Airport
8. Portland International Airport
9. William P. Hobby Airport, Houston
10. Oakland International Airport

Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World

1. Dubai Duty Free
2. Incheon International Airport
3. Hamad International Airport,Doha
4. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
5. Frankfurt am Main Airport
6. Singapore Changi Airport
7. Abu Dhabi International Airport
8. Hong Kong International Airport
9. Vancouver International Airport
10. London Heathrow Airport

Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia

1. Singapore Changi Airport
2. Incheon International Airport
3. Taipei Taoyuan International Airport
4. Tokyo Haneda International Airport
5. Osaka Kansai International Airport
6. Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
7. Kuala Lumpur International Airport
8. Tokyo Narita International Airport
9. Hong Kong International Airport
10. Beijing Capital International Airport

Best Duty-Free Shopping in Africa

1. Seychelles International Airport
2. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
3. King Shaka International Airport Durban
4. Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos
5. Port Elizabeth International Airport
6. O.R. Tambo International Airport Johannesburg
7. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolan Mauritius International Airport
8. Cairo International Airport 9. Cape Town International Airport

Best Duty-Free Shopping in Europe

1. Munich Airport
2. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
3. London Heathrow Airport
4. Leonardo da Vinci Fiumincino Rome
5. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
6. Frankfurt am Main Airport
7. Zürich Kloten International Airport
8. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
9. Brussels Zaventem Airport
10. Vienna International Airport

Best Duty-Free Shopping in the Middle East

1. Dubai Duty Free
2. Hamad International Airport, Doha
3. Bahrain Duty Free
4. Muscat International Airport
5. Amman Queen Alia International Airport Jordan
6. Abu Dhabi InternationalAirport
7. King Khalid International Airport Riyadh
8. Al Maktoum Dubai World Central

Best International Hotel Chain

1. The Ritz-Carlton
2. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
3. Westin Hotels & Resorts
4. Conrad Hotels
5. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
6. The Peninsula Hotels
7. Marriott Hotels
8. Four Seasons
9. Park Hyatt
10. Waldorf Astor

Best Domestic Hotel Chain

1. The Ritz-Carlton
2. Waldorf Astoria
3. JW Marriott
4. Park Hyatt
5. Hilton Hotels Corp.
6. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
7. Westin Hotels & Resorts
8. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
9. W Hotels
10. Four Seasons

Best Lifestyle Hotel

1. Moxy
2. Andaz
3. Aloft Hotels
4. Vida Hotels + Resorts
5. Element Hotels
6. W Hotels
7. Affinia Hotels
8. Hotel Indigo
9. Kimpton Hotels + Restaurants

Best MICE Hotel

1. Lotte Hotel Seoul
2. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
3. Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Los Angeles
4. Aspen Meadows Resort
5. Hilton London Metropole
6. Sheraton Ankara Hotel & Convention Centel
7. Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin
8. Kempinski Hotel Wuxi
9. Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
10. The Gleneagles

Best Hotel Websites

1. IHG.com
2. peninsula.com
3. ritzzcarlton.com
4. marriott.com
5. hilton.com
6. loews.com
7. shangri-la.com
8. mandarinoriental.com
9. hyatt.com

Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World

1. IHG Rewards Club
2. Marriott Bonvoy
3. Hilton Honors
4. Wyndham Rewards
5. World of Hyatt
6. Le Club AccorHotels
7. Loews YouFirst
8. Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club
9. Radisson Rewards
10. I Prefer Hotel Club

Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program

1. Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite
2. World of Hyatt Platinum
3. Hilton Honors Diamond
4. Le Club AccorHotels Platinum
5. IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite
6. Wyndham Rewards ByRequest
7. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards
8. Sol Meliá MAS Rewards
9. Choice Privileges Platinum

Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program

1. IHG Rewards Club
2. Marriott Bonvoy
3. Hilton Honors
4. World of Hyatt
5. Le Club AccorHotels
6. Choice Privileges
7. Wyndham Rewards
8. Omni Select Guest
9. Sol Meliá MAS Rewards 10. Radisson Rewards

Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption

1. World of Hyatt
2. Marriott Bonvoy
3.  IHG Rewards Club
4. Hilton Honors
5. Leaders Club, Leading Hotels of the World
6. Sol Meliá MAS Rewards
7. Radisson Rewards
8. Wyndham Rewards
9. Omni Select Guest
10. Best Western Rewards

Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service

1. Marriott Bonvoy
2. Le Club AccorHotels
3. IHG Rewards Club
4.  Sol Meliá MAS Rewards
5.  World of Hyatt
6.  Hilton Honors
7.  Radisson Rewards
8.  Leaders Club, Leading Hotels of the World
9. Sonesta Travel Pass

Best Hotel in the United States

1. The Peninsula Beverly Hills
2. The Peninsula Chicago
3. The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
4. Montage Beverly Hills
5. Terranea Resort
6. Mandarin Oriental, New York
7. Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas
8. Four Seasons, Washington, D.C.
9. Wentworth Mansion
10. The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown

Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
Best Hotel in Asia
PHOTO: © MANDARIN ORIENTAL, TAIPEI

Best Hotel in Asia

1. Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
2. SIGNIEL Seoul, Lotte Tower
3. The Peninsula Bangkok
4. Four Seasons Seoul
5. The Peninsula Hong Kong
6. The Peninsula Shanghai
7. The Mulia, Bali
8. Four Seasons Bali at Sayan, Indonesia
9. The Upper House, Hong Kong
10. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Best Hotel in South Korea

1. Lotte Hotel Seoul
2. Grand Hyatt Seoul
3. SIGNIEL Seoul, Lotte Tower
4. The Plaza Seoul
5. The Shilla, Seoul
6. Four Seasons Seoul
7. InterContinental Seoul
8. The Ritz-Carlton Seoul
9. The Westin Chosun

BURJ AL ARAB JUMEIRAH Best Hotel in the Middle East PHOTO: © JUMEIRAH

Best Hotel in the Middle East

1. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
2. One&Only Royal Mirage
3. Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Hotel
4. Four Seasons Resort Dubai atJumeirah Beach
5. The St. Regis Dubai
6. Four Seasons Bahrain Bay
7. Al Maha Resort & Spa
8. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
9. Emirates Palace Hotel
10. The Palace Downtown Dubai

Best Hotel in Europe

1. Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, Munich
2. Le Meurice Paris
3. Hotel de Russie Rome
4. Belmond Hotel Cipriani, Venice
5. Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Place, Budapest
6. Four Seasons Hotel Ritz, Lisbon
7.  Merrion Hotel Dublin
8. Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at The Bosphorus
9. Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome
10. Le Bristol Paris

Best European Hotel Chain

1. St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
2. Kempinski Hotels
3. The Ritz-Carlton
4. The Luxury Collection
5. Westin Hotels & Resorts
6. W Hotels
7. Marriott Hotels
8. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
9. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
10. Conrad Hotels

Best Hotel Chain in Asia

1. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
4. Mandarin Oriental
5. Park Hyatt
6. The Peninsula Hotels
7. Four Seasons
8. Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces
9. Conrad Hotels
10. Langham Hotels

Best Hotel Chain in Latin America

1. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
2. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
3. Westin Hotels & Resorts
4. Sol Meliá Hotels
5. Barceló Hotels & Resorts
6. Fiesta Americana
7. Accor Hospitality
8. The Ritz-Carlton
9. Riu Hotels & Resorts
10. Caesar Park Hotels

Best Hotel Chain in Mexico

1. Fiesta Americana
2. Sheraton Hotels
3. W Hotels
4. Westin Hotels
5. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
6. Barceló Hotels & Resorts
7. Riu Hotels & Resorts

Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East

1. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts
2. The Ritz-Carlton
3. The Address Hotels + Resorts
4. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
5. Marriott International
6. Four Seasons
7. Kempinski Hotels
8. W Hotels
9. Raffles Hotels
10. Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts

Best Individual Hotel in the World

1. The Address Hotel Downtown Dubai
2. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
3. St. Regis Bora Bora
4. Hotel de Crillon, Paris
5. Wentworth Mansion
6. The Langham, Chicago
7. Corinthia Hotel London
8. The Peninsula Beverly Hills
9. Montage Laguna Beach
10. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

Best Overseas Delivery Program

1. Volvo
2. BMW
3. Porsche
4. Mercedes-Benz

Best Car Rental Company

1. Hertz
2. National Car Rental
3. Avis
4. Budget
5. Sixt
6. Alamo
7. Enterprise
8. Dollar
9. Thrifty
10. Payless

Best Airport Parking

1. The Parking Spot
2. Wally Park
3. ParkRideFly
4. AirportParking
5. ParkingConnection
6. AirportParkingNet
7. APCParking
8. Chauntry
9. PreFlight

Best Tourism Destination

1. India
2. Ireland
3. Australia
4. South Africa
5. Spain
6. Kenya
7. Israel
8. Italy
9. Brazil
10. Mexico

Best MICE City

1. Seoul
2. Dubai
3. Singapore
4. London
5. Abu Dhabi
6. Doha
7. Paris
8. San Francisco
9. Sydney
10. Hong Kong

Best WiFi Service

1. Boingo Wireless
2. AT&T Wireless
3. Verizon Wireless
4. iPass
5. U.S. Mobile
6. GoGo Inflight

Best Luggage Brand

1. Briggs & Riley
2. Tumi
3. Travelpro
4. Hartman
5. Samsonite
6. Delsey
7. Swiss Army
8. Rimowa
9. Victorinox
10. Louis Vuitton

Best Hotel App

1. Hilton Hotels
2. Hyatt Hotels
3.  Hotel Tonight
4.  Marriott Hotels
5.  Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
6. Four Seasons
7. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
8. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
9. The Ritz-Carlton

Best Airline App

1. American Airlines
2. United Airlines
3. Delta Air Lines
4. Asiana Airlines
5. Singapore Airlines
6. Emirates
7. Lufthansa
8. Swiss International Air Lines
9. Alaska Airlines
10. Qatar Airways

Best Small- to Mid-Sized Business Program

1. IHG Business Edge
2. Delta Edge
3. American Airlines BusinessExtra
4. Marriott Bonvoy
5. Hilton Hotels Corp.
6. Alaska Airlines
7. United PerksPlus
8. American Express Platinum 9. Hyatt Hotels

Best Overall Credit Card

1. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
2. Delta SkyMiles Gold Card from American Express
3. United Explorer Card from Chase
4. American Express Blue Card
5. Chase Ink Card
6. American Express Platinum Card
7. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
8. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
9. Escape Card from Discover
10. Plum Card from American Express Open

Best Small-Business Credit Card

1. Capital One Spark Miles for Business
2. United Explorer Card from Chase
3. American Express Business Platinum
4. Chase Ink Cash Business Preferred Credit Card
5. American Express Business Platinum Card from Open
6. Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Credit Card from American Express
7. Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Credit Card from American Express
8. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express
9. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard

Best Credit Card Special Events

1. Citi Entertainment
2. Inside Access from Chase
3. Chase Sapphire
4. MasterCard Priceless Cities
5. Chase Experiences
6. American Express

Best Credit Cards Rewards Program

1. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
2. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase
3. Membership Rewards Program from American Express
4. Capital One Venture Rewards
5. Delta SkyMiles by American Express
6. United Explorer Card from Chase
7. Barclays Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard
8. Wells Fargo Propel American Express
9. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card

1. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase
2. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express
3. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
4. World of Hyatt Card from Chase
5. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
6. Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
7. Choice Privileges Visa Signature
8. IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions

1. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express
2. Hilton Honors Card from American Express
3. Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
4. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase
5. World of Hyatt Credit Card
6. Choice Privileges Visa Signature
7. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits

1. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express
2. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase
3. Hilton Honors Card from American Express
4. World of Hyatt Credit Card
5. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
6. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions

1. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase
2. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express
3. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
4. World of Hyatt Card
5. Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
6. Hilton Honors Card American Express
7. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card

1. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
2. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
3. Delta SkyMiles Card from American Express
4. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
5. British Airways Visa Signature Card
6. United Explorer Card from Chase
7. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Card
8. JetBlue American Express Card
9. Lufthansa Miles & More Card

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions

1. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
2. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
3. United Explorer Card from Chase
4. JetBlue American Express Card
5. British Airways Visa Signature Card
6. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
7. Delta SkyMiles by American Express
8. Lufthansa Miles & More Card
9. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Card

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits

1. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
2. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
3. Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
4. United Explorer Card from Chase
5. Aeromexico Club Premier La Tarjeta from American Express
6. British Airways Visa Signature Card
7. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
8. Lufthansa Miles & More Card
9. JetBlue American Express Card
10. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Card

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions

1. United Explorer Card from Chase
2. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
3. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
4. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
5. Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
6. British Airways Visa Signature Card
7. JetBlue American Express Card
8. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Card

Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card

1. Princess Cruises Visa Signature Card from Barclays
2. Royal Caribbean Visa Credit Card from Bank of America
3. Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature Card
4. Norwegian Cruise Line MasterCard from Bank of America
5. The Carnival MasterCard from Barclaycard
6. Disney Premier Visa

Wines on the Wing 2019

What better way to commemorate a celebration than with a toast? The results of Global Traveler’s annual Wines on the Wing Airline Wine Competition were first released in our August 2019 issue. A number of airlines submitted samples of their in-flight wine and sparkling selections. Professional wine experts presided as judges over the annual competition. Bust out the balloons and banners, here are this year’s airlines serving the best wines in the sky. Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing award winner is American Airlines. The carrier also won Best North American Wines on the Wing and Best North American White Wine. Etihad Airways earned accolades for Best International Business-Class Wines on the Wing, as well as Best International Business-Class Red Wine and Best International Business-Class Champagne. In the First-Class category, the winners were Air France, Best International First-Class Champagne; Singapore Airlines, Best International First-Class White Wine; and All Nippon Airways, Best International First-Class Red Wine. ANA also won Best International Business-Class White Wine. Aeromexico won Best International Business-Class Champagne and Best North American Sparkling Wine. Alaska Airlines earned raves as Best North American Red Wine. Best Alliance Wines on the Wing Once again went to oneworld. Cheers!

WINES ON THE WING WINNERS

Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing

1. GOLD: American Airlines
2. SILVER: All Nippon Airways
3. BRONZE: Air France
4. Singapore Airlines
5. Etihad Airways

Best International First-Class Champagne

1. GOLD: Air France
2. SILVER: American Airlines
3. BRONZE: All Nippon Airways/Singapore
4. Airlines (TIE)
5. Delta Air Lines/Etihad Airways (TIE)

Best International First-Class White Wine

1. GOLD: Singapore Airlines
2. SILVER: American Airlines
3. BRONZE: American Airlines
4. All Nippon Airways
5. All Nippon Airways

Best International First-Class Red Wine

1. GOLD: All Nippon Airways
2. SILVER: American Airlines
3. BRONZE: All Nippon Airways
4. Air France
5. American Airlines

Best International Business-Class Wines on the Wing

1. GOLD: Etihad Airways
2. SILVER: United Airlines
3. BRONZE: Aeromexico
4. All Nippon Airways
5. Air Tahiti Nui/Singapore Airlines (TIE)

Best International Business-Class Champagne

1. GOLD: Aeromexico/Etihad Airways (TIE)
2. SILVER: Air Tahiti Nui/Singapore Airlines (TIE)
3. BRONZE: Aeroflot/Air New Zealand (TIE)
4. United Airlines
5. Delta Air Lines

Best International Business-Class White Wine

1. GOLD: All Nippon Airways
2. SILVER: Etihad Airways
3. BRONZE: Air Tahiti Nui
4. United Airlines
5. TAP Air Portugal

Best International Business-Class Red Wine

1. GOLD: Etihad Airways
2. SILVER: Etihad Airways/Singapore Airlines (TIE)
3. BRONZE: Singapore Airlines
4. EL AL Israel Airlines
5. Aeromexico

Best Airline Alliance Wines on the Wing

1. oneworld
2. Star Alliance
3. SkyTeam

Best North American Wines on the Wing

1. GOLD: American Airlines
2. SILVER: United Airlines
3. BRONZE: Aeromexico
4. Delta Air Lines

Best North American Sparkling Wine

1. GOLD: Aeromexico
2. SILVER: United Airlines
3. BRONZE: Delta Air Lines
4. American Airlines

Best North American White Wine

1. GOLD: American Airlines
2. SILVER: Aeromexico
3. BRONZE: United Airlines
4. American Airlines
5. Alaska Airlines

Best North American Red Wine

1. GOLD: Alaska Airlines
2. SILVER: United Airlines
3. BRONZE: Delta Air Lines
4. Aeromexico/American Airlines (TIE)
5. American Airlines