Yardley, Pa., Dec. 2, 2013 – The results are in! For the 10th consecutive year, Global Traveler conducted its GT Tested Reader Survey, asking frequent business and luxury travelers to name the best in a variety of travel-related categories. More than 22,000 people responded. Global Traveler’s inaugural awards were celebrated in 2004.
Over the past 10 years, the survey has grown to honor more travel-related categories, including airlines, hotels, loyalty programs and travel-related products in 71 categories. GT’s distinguished readers vote for their favorites in the world of travel in an open-ended survey running in the magazine and online from January to August each year. The results of the survey are announced in the December 2013 issue, available now.
GT readers are frequent premium travelers averaging 16 international and 16 domestic round-trip flights a year, with an average household income of $368,900 per year. Global Traveler’s elite readers spend an average 100 nights per year in hotels. A whopping 76 percent regularly travel in business class.
This year’s roster of highly regarded winners includes Singapore Airlines (Best Airline in the World), oneworld (Best Airline Alliance), Etihad Airways (Best Airline for International First Class and Best Airport Lounges) and Turkish Airlines (Best Airline for New Service Launch and Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents). Other top winners are Aeromexico (Best Airline in Mexico), China Airlines (Best Airline in North Asia), The Ritz-Carlton (Best International Hotel Chain, Best Domestic Hotel Chain, Best Hotel Club Floor and Best European Hotel Chain), Sheraton Hotels & Resorts (Best Hotel Chain in Latin America), Ireland (Best Tourism Destination) and United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase (Best Credit Card and Best Credit Card Rewards Program).
Global Traveler’s consistent, unbiased reporting for the past 10 years ranks the GT Tested Reader Survey awards among the most highly regarded in the industry.
“This is an exciting time, as we celebrate our 10th awards survey and prepare to celebrate our 10th year of publishing Global Traveler, the industry leader in our niche,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler. “Our readers are truly experienced, intrepid travelers who know the best of the best in the business. Our GT Tested Reader Survey awards celebrate those illustrious chosen providers. Many of these companies appear year after year on our survey, proving that consistency matters. Congratulations to the stars of the travel industry; we look forward to celebrating another decade of excellence.”
This year’s winners will be feted at a cocktail reception Dec. 10 at award-winning The Peninsula Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, Calif. For more information, check out the December 2013 issue of Global Traveler or visit our website at newgtsite.wpengine.com. A complete recap of the night’s festivities will be featured in the March 2014 issue.
A complete list of winners is as follows:
Best Airline in the World
Singapore Airlines
Best Airline Alliance
oneworld
Best Aircraft Type
Boeing 777
Best Airline for International First Class
Etihad Airways
Best Airline for Business Class
Qatar Airways
Best Airline for Domestic First Class
Delta Air Lines
Best Airline for Onboard Service
Asiana Airlines
Best Airline for Flight Attendants
Asiana Airlines
Best Flight Attendant Uniforms
Korean Air
Best Airline Cuisine
Alitalia
Best Airline for Security
EL AL Israel Airlines
Best Business-Class Seat Design
Qatar Airways
Best First-Class Seat Design
Emirates
Best Airline for New Service Launch
Turkish Airlines (IAH)
Best Frequent-Flyer Program
United MileagePlus
Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program
Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles Pualani Platinum Membership
Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program
United MileagePlus
Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption
LifeMiles
Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service, Americas
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
Best Airline in North America
Air Canada
Best Airline in Central/South America
Avianca
Best Airline in Mexico
Aeromexico
Best Airline to Australia and New Zealand
Air New Zealand
Best Airline in the South Pacific
Fiji Airways
Best Airline in Europe
TAP Portugal
Best Airline in Eastern Europe
LOT Polish Airlines
Best Airline in Africa
South African Airways
Best Airline in the Middle East
Emirates
Best Airline in North Asia
China Airlines
Best Airline in Southeast Asia
Singapore Airlines
Best Airline in China
Hainan Airlines
Best Airline in Central/South Asia and India
Jet Airways
Best Airline to Japan
Japan Airlines
Best Trans-Atlantic Airline
Brussels Airlines
Best Trans-Pacific Airline
Korean Air
Best Airport in the World
Incheon Airport
Best Airport in North America
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Best Airport Lounges
Etihad Airways
Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents
Turkish Airlines
Best Airport Dining
Singapore Changi Airport
Best Duty-Free Shops
Dubai Duty Free
Best Hotel in the World
The Address Downtown Dubai
Best International Hotel Chain
The Ritz-Carlton
Best Domestic Hotel Chain
The Ritz-Carlton
Best Lifestyle Hotel
Andaz
Best Airport Hotel
Hyatt Regency Incheon
Best Golf Resort
The Resort at Pelican Hill
Best M.I.C.E. Hotel
China World Hotel, Beijing
Best Hotel Club Floor
The Ritz-Carlton Club Level
Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World
IHG Rewards Club
Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program
Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite
Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption
Choice Privileges
Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service, Americas
Hilton HHonors
Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program
IHG Rewards Club
Best WiFi Service
Boingo Wireless
Best Hotel in the United States
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Best European Hotel Chain
The Ritz-Carlton
Best Hotel Chain in Asia
Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces
Best Hotel in Korea
Lotte Hotel
Best Hotel Chain in Latin America
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel Chain in Mexico
Fiesta Americana
Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East
Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts
Address Hotels + Resorts
Best Overseas Delivery Program
Volvo
Best Car Rental Company
National Car Rental
Best Tourism Destination
Ireland
Best M.I.C.E. City
Seoul
Best Wireless Service in the World
Verizon Wireless
Best Noise-Canceling Headset
Sennheiser
Best Luggage Brand
Briggs & Riley Travelware
Best Credit Card
United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
Best Credit Card Rewards Program
United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card
Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card from Chase
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions
Starwood Preferred Guest American Express
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits
IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
Choice Privileges Visa Signature
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions
Delta SkyMiles by American Express
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits
Citi Platinum Select / AAdvantage Visa Signature Card
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions
United MileagePlus Explorer Card from Chase
Global Traveler will also recognize the following Wines on the Wing award winners at the reception: Brussels Airlines (Best Business-Class Wines on the Wing, Best Champagne International Business Class), British Airways (Best First-Class Wines on the Wing), Hainan Airlines (Best Champagne International First Class, Best Red Wine International First and International Business Classes), All Nippon Airways (Best White Wine International Business Class), Jet Airways (Best White Wine International First Class), SkyTeam (Best Alliance Wines on the Wing), Delta Air Lines (Best North American Wines on the Wing, Best North American White Wine), American Airlines (Best North American Sparkling Wine) and Virgin America (Best North American Red Wine). The results of the Wines on the Wing airline wine survey were announced in the August 2013 issue.
About the Survey
Global Traveler conducted an open-ended survey of its readers to determine the best in more than 70 travel-related categories. The survey was conducted from Jan. 1, 2013 to Aug. 31, 2013. Questionnaires were available in subscriber copies of the magazine, online at newgtsite.wpengine.com/awards-survey-ballot and through direct mail and email. Only questionnaires with more than 50 percent of the questions answered were considered. An outside accounting firm, Citrin Cooperman LLP, tabulated the results. Employees of the magazine and members of the travel industry were barred from participation.
About Global Traveler/FXExpress Publications, Inc.
Global Traveler, the only ABC-audited U.S.-based magazine for the international business traveler, is a business travel and lifestyle publication with an ABC-paid circulation of 109,000+. FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler, eFlyer USA; eFlyer Asia and several annuals; and also operating newgtsite.wpengine.com, www.globaltravellerasia.com and www.globaltravelerusa.com/blog.
Fan us on Facebook at facebook.com/globaltravelermagazine and follow us on Twitter, @Gtmag.
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