GLOBAL TRAVELER READERS are frequent globetrotters, always on the go to destinations around the world. This is why we look to them to determine the industry’s best. The 14th annual Global Traveler GT Tested Reader Survey awards celebrates those companies consistently going above and beyond, as voted by our readers.
On Dec. 12, 2017, travel industry elite gathered on a beautiful evening atop The Peninsula Beverly Hills in Los Angeles to celebrate the winners of the prestigious survey, as well as the Wines on the Wing airline wine competition, the Airline and Hotel of the Year and Quint Status awards.
To show our appreciation for our winners who traveled from near and far to receive their awards, this year’s event boasted a memorable Around the World theme. Guests enjoyed Chinese, Mediterranean, Italian and American culinary experiences, while Liz Watts & Co. dazzled with dance performances including a 1930s Gatsby-inspired Charleston, Latin American salsa, a Middle Eastern extravaganza and an authentic Bollywood act, courtesy of Air India.
For the seventh year in a row, The Peninsula Beverly Hills provided the perfect backdrop to celebrate the awards, with its stunning rooftop venue and impeccable service. A multiple winner for its United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase, United MileagePlus Explorer Card from Chase and Inside Access from Chase, Chase Bank Credit Cards sponsored the event.
WINNERS’ CIRCLE
Best Overall Airline in the World
Singapore Airlines
Third Consecutive Year
Best Airline Alliance
oneworld
Eighth Consecutive Year
Best Aircraft Type
Airbus A350
Best Airline Website
AA.com
Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific
American Airlines
Best Airline for International First Class
Qatar Airways
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airline for Business Class
Turkish Airlines
Best Airline for Domestic First Class
American Airlines
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airline for Onboard Service
Asiana Airlines
14th Consecutive Year
Best Airline for Flight Attendants
Asiana Airlines
14th Consecutive Year
Best Airline Cuisine
Alitalia
Eighth Consecutive Year
Best Flight Attendant Uniforms
Etihad Airways
Best Airline for Security
EL AL Israel Airlines
11th Consecutive Year
Best Business-Class Seat Design
China Airlines
Third Consecutive Year
Best First-Class Seat Design
Qatar Airways
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airline for New Service Launch
Delta Air Lines
Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program
United MileagePlus
14th Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program
Hawaiian Airlines, HawaiianMiles – Pualani Platinum Membership
Third Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program
United MileagePlus
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption
LifeMiles
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service, Americas
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Best Airline in North America
Alaska Airlines
Best Airline to South America
LATAM Airlines Group
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Airline in Mexico
Aeromexico
Eighth Consecutive Year
Best Airline to Australia and New Zealand
Air New Zealand
Best Airline in the South Pacific
Fiji Airways
Best Airline in Europe
TAP Air Portugal
Seventh Consecutive Year
Best Airline in Eastern Europe
LOT Polish Airlines
Best Airline in Africa
South African Airways
14th Consecutive Year
Best Airline in the Middle East (excluding China)
Qatar Airways
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airline in North Asia
China Airlines
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Airline in China
Hainan Airlines
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India
Air India
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Airline to Japan
Japan Airlines
Best Trans-Atlantic Airline
TAP Air Portugal
Best Trans-Pacific Airline
Japan Airlines
Best Overall Airport in the World
Singapore Changi Airport
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airport in North America
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
14th Consecutive Year
Best Airport in Asia
Incheon Airport
Best Airport in Africa
O.R. Tambo International Airport
Best Airport in Europe
Vienna International Airport
Best Airport in the Middle East
Hamad International Airport
Best Airport in South America
Jorge Chávez International Airport
Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents
Turkish Airlines
Best Airport Dining
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Airport Shopping
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World
Dubai Duty Free
11th Consecutive Year
Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia
Singapore Changi Airport
Best Duty-Free Shopping in Africa
O.R. Tambo International Airport
Best Duty-Free Shopping in Europe
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Best Duty-Free Shopping in the Middle East
Dubai Duty Free
Best International Hotel Chain
The Ritz-Carlton
Third Consecutive Year
Best Domestic Hotel Chain
The Ritz-Carlton
Third Consecutive Year
Best Lifestyle Hotel
Andaz
Eighth Consecutive Year
Best MICE Hotel
Lotte Hotel Seoul
Third Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Club Floor
The Ritz-Carlton
Second Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Website
ritzcarlton.com
Third Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World
InterContinental Hotels Group IHG Rewards Club
13th Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program
World of Hyatt Platinum
Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program
Marriott Rewards
Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption
World of Hyatt
Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service, Americas
World of Hyatt
Second Consecutive Year
Best Hotel in the United States
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Seventh Consecutive Year
Best Hotel in Asia
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
Best European Hotel Chain
St. Regis
Second Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Chain in Asia
Grand Hyatt
Best Hotel in South Korea
Lotte Hotel Seoul
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Hotel in Europe
Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon
Best Hotel in the Middle East
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
Best New Luxury Hotel in Asia
Signiel Seoul
Best Hotel Chain in Latin America
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel Chain in Mexico
Fiesta Americana
Seventh Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East
The Ritz-Carlton
Best Overseas Delivery Program
Volvo
Second Consecutive Year
Best Rental Car Company
Hertz
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Tourism Destination
Mexico
Best MICE City
Seoul
Third Consecutive Year
Best WiFi Service
Boingo Wireless
Seventh Consecutive Year
Best Wireless Service in the World
Verizon
Second Consecutive Year
Best Noise-Canceling Headset
Sony
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Luggage Brand
Briggs & Riley
Eighth Consecutive Year
Best Photographic Equipment
Nikon D7500
Best Ride Share
Uber
Best Hotel App
Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Best Airline App
Delta Air Lines
Best Overall Credit Card
United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Credit Card Rewards Programs
United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card
Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions
Hilton Honors Card from American Express
Second Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits
Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card from J.P. Morgan
Third Consecutive Year
Best Credit Card Special Events
Inside Access from Chase
Second Consecutive Year
Best Small Business Credit Card
The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card from J.P. Morgan
Second Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits
Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
Third Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
United MileagePlus Explorer Card from Chase
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card
Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature
Third Consecutive Year
AIRLINE AND HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Airline of the Year
American Airlines
Hotel of the Year
Lotte Hotels & Resorts
QUINT STATUS
Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program
United MileagePlus
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
United MileagePlus Explorer Card from Chase
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Airline in North Asia
China Airlines
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption
LifeMiles
Fifth Consecutive Year
WINES ON THE WING AWARDS
Best International Business-Class Wines on the Wing
Air Canada
Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing
Asiana Airlines
Best Champagne International Business Class
Aeroflot
Best Champagne International First Class
United Airlines
Best White Wine International Business Class
Air Canada
Best White Wine International Business Class
Brussels Airlines
Best White Wine International First Class
EL AL Israel Airlines
Best Red Wine International Business Class
All Nippon Airways
Best Red Wine International First Class
Asiana Airlines
Best Sparkling Wine International Business Class
TAP Air Portugal
Best Alliance Wines on the Wing
oneworld
Best North American Wines on the Wing
American Airlines
Best North American Sparkling Wine
Hawaiian Airlines
Best North American White Wine
American Airlines
Best North American Red Wine
American Airlines
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- Abdulaziz Abdulla Al-Mass, vice president, commercial, marketing and communications, Hamad International Airport
-
- Adrian Kubicki, international public relations senior specialist, LOT Polish Airlines
-
- Andrew Yiu, managing director, product design, Air Canada
-
- Angus Wheeler, director of sales, Aeroflot
-
- Benedetto Mencaroni Poiani, vice president, the Americas, Alitalia
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- Carlos Paneiro, vice president, sales, North & Central America, TAP Air Portugal; Trey Urbahn, chief commercial officer, TAP Air Portugal; Fern Ottavio, director, passenger sales and marketing, North America, TAP Air Portugal
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- Cynthia Garrido, director of marketing for Mexico, Latin America & Caribbean, InterContinental Hotels Group
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- David Lim, vice president, management support division, Lotte Hotels
-
- E-Bae Kim, executive vice president, Asiana Airlines
-
- Eoghan Slye, senior director, brand marketing, Hertz
-
- Ersen Engin, general manager, Turkish Airlines
-
- Günter Saurwein, vice president, Americas, Qatar Airways
-
- Jason Chen, hotel director of entertainment, Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
-
- Jorge Goytortúa, vice president, global sales, Aeromexico; Raul Ivan Villanueva, regional sales director, Aeromexico
-
- Julie Vargo, vice president, consumer marketing, Boingo
-
- Kelvin Tan, general manager, airport operations, Singapore Changi Airport
-
- Kristen Bowdoin, general manager of partnerships, Chase Bank Credit Cards
-
- Kyle Mabry, managing director, American Airlines
-
- Laura Stringel, director of sales, Posadas
-
- Luc Bondar, vice president of loyalty, United Airlines
-
- Maria Krasilnikova, marketing and loyalty manager, oneworld
-
- Matt Danaher, director of marketing/advertising, Chicago O’Hare International Airport
-
- Nick Teare, vice president, global brand marketing, The Ritz-Carlton
-
- Rhonda Crawford, vice president, global distribution and strategy, Delta Air Lines; Simon Bramley, managing director of digital and direct channels, Delta Air Lines
-
- Offer Nissenbaum, managing director, The Peninsula Beverly Hills
-
- Shashant Jasani, vice president, product management and user experience, mobileforming LLC; Ben Shepherd, mobile/software engineering senior leader, Hilton Hotels & Resorts
-
- Sangita Woerner, vice president, marketing, Alaska Airlines
-
- Steven Myer, vice president, global sales, the Americas, Japan Airlines
-
- Stroebel Bekker, general manager, the Americas, Fiji Airways
-
- Susan Siriwatanarong, director, Citi / Aadvantage, Citibank
-
- Meghan Jordan, director, AAdvantage co-brand partnerships, Citibank, American Airlines
-
- Todd Neuman, executive vice president, the Americas, South African Airways
-
- Vibhat Nair, general manager, Chase Bank Credit Cards
-
- Keiji Omae, vice president, sales & marketing, the Americas, All Nippon Airways
-
- Jennifer Plasket, senior vice president, deposit sales and marketing, Bank of America
-
- Simon Lee, vice president, the Americas, China Airlines
-
- Amanda Nather, associate manager, IHG Rewards Club; Kathryn Osbon, associate marketing manager, InterContinental Hotels Group
-
- Vandana Sharma, regional manager of the Americas, Air India
-
- Christophe Allard, director of North America, Brussels Airlines
-
- Liz Fraser, regional general manager, Air New Zealand
-
- Tim Lee, vice president, Western USA, Singapore Airlines
-
- Rolando Damas, managing director, North America and Asia, Avianca Airlines
-
- Dunja LaRosa, director of product marketing, consumer sales and marketing, Sony
-
- Yoram Elgrabli, managing director, North and Central America, EL AL Israel Airlines
-
- Pablo Chiozza, senior vice president, USA, Canada and Caribbean, LATAM Airlines Group
-
- Clay McConnell, vice president, communications, Airbus
-
- Charles E. “Chilly” Ewing, Sr., airport concessions director, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
-
- Kristen Shields McGinnis, director, co brand product marketing, Delta Air Lines; Lisa Kalhans, vice president, co brand product management, American Express
-
- Greg Klem, vice president of strategic partnerships, Hilton Hotels & Resorts; Heather Paula, vice president, co-brand partnerships, American Express
-
- Joel Chusid, executive director, USA, Hainan Airlines
-
- Wendy von Kriegenbergh, senior marketing manager, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol; Tanja Dik, director consumer products and services, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol; Anne-Marie Zuidweg, senior manager, commercial services and media, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
-
- Sinead El Sibai, vice president of marketing, Dubai Duty Free
-
- Ross Saito, product manager, menu development, Hawaiian Airlines; Renee Awana, managing director, product development, Hawaiian Airlines; Bryan Kapeckas, managing director, loyalty and traveler products, Hawaiian Airlines
-
- Kim Tae-il, assistant public relations manager, Incheon Airport; Lee Kyung-lim, assistant manager, Incheon Airport
-
- Gareth de Klerk, executive director of marketing, Verizon Wireless
-
- North Holbrook, director of commercial sales, Volvo Overseas Delivery
-
- Ahn Joon Ho, general director of tourism & sports, Seoul Metropolitan Government
-
- Rene Mizwicki, senior director of marketing, Hyatt
-
- Heather Geisler, vice president of global brands, Hyatt
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