FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

2017 GT Tested Reader Survey Awards Recap

by Nicole Quaste

Mar 1, 2018
Features

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.

Dancers

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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FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

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