These Are the Best Travel Loyalty Programs of 2025–2026, per U.S. News

For points-savvy travelers, choosing the right loyalty program can make a major difference in how far your rewards go. U.S. News & World Report just released its 2025–2026 Best Travel Rewards Programs, ranking 9 airline and 14 hotel programs based on how valuable — and accessible — their perks really are.

Here’s what you need to know about the winners, why they stand out from the competition, and how that can help you get the most from your travel rewards.

U.S. News Names the Best Travel Loyalty Programs of 2025–2026 — See the Winners

U.S. News & World Report just dropped its latest rankings of the Best Travel Loyalty Programs of 2025–2026, highlighting the top hotel and airline programs based on value, perks, and how easy they are to use.

You can check out the full list of rankings here. Some of the winners might surprise you, while others are the usual favorites we know (and love) for good reason.

Best Hotel Rewards Programs: Choice Privileges Claims the Crown

In a surprising twist, Choice Privileges took the top spot for the first time, rising above Wyndham Rewards (No. 2) and World of Hyatt (No. 3) to clinch the No. 1 spot.

While the program has consistently ranked near the top of U.S. News’ annual list, this year marked a significant leap forward. Choice Privileges’ enhanced value stems from faster free night redemptions, easy-to-achieve elite status, and an expanded portfolio thanks to its acquisition of Radisson Hotels and a new partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts. These moves have made it a popular option for budget-conscious travelers and luxury seekers.

Meanwhile, Wyndham Rewards stood out for its massive global footprint and easy-to-understand redemption structure, while World of Hyatt continued to earn praise for the outsized value of its points and consistently strong elite benefits.

Best Airline Rewards Programs: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Tops for 11th Year

No surprises here: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan topped the airline rankings for the 11th year in a row.

It’s still one of the rare programs that rewards you based on miles flown (not dollars spent), which is great news if you’re booking cheaper fares but still want to rack up rewards. Plus, Alaska’s elite status starts paying off early with solid perks like free upgrades, checked bags, and same-day flight changes.

United MileagePlus climbed into the No. 2 spot this year, while American Airlines AAdvantage landed at No. 3 — thanks in large part to their huge route networks and strong alliance partnerships that give travelers more ways to earn and redeem.

U.S. News updated its methodology for 2025 to better reflect how people travel. This year’s rankings factored in real-world data from the Department of Transportation, including on-time arrivals, baggage handling, and customer complaints — all things frequent flyers definitely care about.

Final Thoughts

All in all, these rankings give a clear picture of which travel rewards programs are delivering the most bang for your buck in 2025–2026.

Whether it’s Choice Privileges shaking things up on the hotel side or Alaska Mileage Plan continuing its reign with airlines, there’s plenty of value to be found no matter your travel style. Keep these programs on your radar to make the most of your points and perks through next year.