FX Excursions

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

2018 GT Tested Reader Survey Awards Recap

by Kimberly Inlander

Mar 1, 2019
Features

OVERLOOKING THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES atop The Peninsula Beverly Hills, Global Traveler lauded its milestone 15th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards. It was truly a night to remember as we celebrated those travel companies consistently going above and beyond, as voted by our readers. In addition to honoring those winners, we also feted the Airline and Hotel of the Year; winners of our 2018 Wines on the Wing airline wine competition; the Quint Status winners; and, for the first time, the Crystal Status winners, those companies that won the same GT Tested Reader Survey award for the 15th consecutive year.

The Peninsula Beverly Hills proved the perfect host venue for the eighth year in a row. As always, its staff, cuisine and views stunned. A number of sponsors joined in the festivities, including JP Morgan Chase, celebrating wins for its cobranded United MileagePlus cards with a Dom Perignon raffle; and Ontario International Airport, which awarded one lucky winner round-trip tickets to Taiwan.

Terry Waite, a humanitarian and truly compelling speaker, joined us once again as our guest of honor. Waite kicked off our celebrations as the guest of honor at our first event 15 years ago, and again when we commemorated our 10th. As an official of the Church of England, Waite was taken hostage on his third trip to Lebanon in 1987 and released 1,763 days later. Today he remains a consummate traveler and peacekeeper, and we thank him for sharing his time with us again.

Be part of the action as we recap the night’s festivities on the following pages.

WINNERS’ CIRCLE

Best Overall Airline in the World
Singapore Airlines
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Airline Alliance
oneworld
Ninth Consecutive Year

Best Aircraft Type
Airbus A380

Best Airline Website
aa.com
Second Consecutive Year

Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific
American Airlines
Second Consecutive Year

Best Airline for International First Class
Korean Air

Best Airline for Business Class
Turkish Airlines
Second Consecutive Year

Best Airline for Domestic First Class
American Airlines
Third Consecutive Year

Best Airline for Onboard Service
Asiana Airlines
15th Consecutive Year

Best Airline for Flight Attendants
Asiana Airlines
15th Consecutive Year

Best Airline Cuisine
Alitalia
Ninth Consecutive Year

Best Flight Attendant Uniforms
Hong Kong Airlines

Best Airline for Security
EL AL Israel Airlines
12th Consecutive Year

Best Business-Class Seat Design
Alitalia

Best First-Class Seat Design
Air France

Best Airline for New Service Launch
Hong Kong Airlines (SFO–HKG)

Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers
Turkish Airlines Corporate Club

Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program
United MileagePlus
15th Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan – MVP Gold

Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program
United MileagePlus
Sixth Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption
Air Canada Aeroplan

Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service
American Airlines AAdvantage

Best Airline in North America
American Airlines

Best Airline to South America
LATAM Airlines Group
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Airline in Mexico
Aeromexico
Ninth Consecutive Year

Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand
Qantas

Best Airline in the South Pacific
Air Tahiti Nui

Best Airline in Europe
TAP Air Portugal
Eighth Consecutive Year

Best Airline in Eastern Europe
LOT Polish Airlines
Second Consecutive Year

Best Airline in Africa
South African Airways
15th Consecutive Year

Best Airline in the Middle East
Emirates

Best Airline in North Asia
EVA Air

Best Airline in China
Hainan Airlines
Sixth Consecutive Year

Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India
Air India
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Airline to Japan
Japan Airlines
Second Consecutive Year

Best Trans-Atlantic Airline
Brussels Airlines

Best Trans-Pacific Airline
Japan Airlines
Second Consecutive Year

Best Overall Airport in the World
Singapore Changi Airport
Third Consecutive Year

Best Airport in North America
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
15th Consecutive Year

Best Airport in Asia
Incheon Airport
Second Consecutive Year

Best Airport in Africa
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport

Best Airport in Europe
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Best Airport in the Middle East
Hamad International Airport
Second Consecutive Year

Best Airport in South America
El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá

Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents
Turkish Airlines
Second Consecutive Year

Best Airport Dining
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Airport Shopping
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Second Consecutive Year

Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport
Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California

Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World
Dubai Duty Free
12th Consecutive Year

Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia
Singapore Changi Airport
Second Consecutive Year

Best Duty-Free Shopping in Africa
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport

Best Duty-Free Shopping in Europe
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Second Consecutive Year

Best Duty-Free Shopping in the Middle East
Dubai Duty Free
Second Consecutive Year

Best International Hotel Chain
The Ritz-Carlton
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Domestic Hotel Chain
The Ritz-Carlton
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Lifestyle Hotel
Aloft Hotels

Best MICE Hotel
Lotte Hotel Seoul
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Hotel Club Floor
Grand Hyatt Grand Club

Best Hotel Website
peninsula.com

Best New Luxury Hotel in Asia
Le Méridien Seoul

Best Luxury Hotel in Asia
SIGNIEL Seoul

Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World
InterContinental Hotels Group IHG Rewards Club
14th Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program
Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite

Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program
Marriott Rewards

Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption
Hilton Honors

Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service
Marriott Rewards

Best Hotel in the United States
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Eighth Consecutive Year

Best Hotel in Asia
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
Second Consecutive Year

Best Hotel in South Korea
Lotte Hotel Seoul
Seventh Consecutive Year

Best Hotel in Europe
Belmond Hotel Cipriani, Venice

Best Hotel in the Middle East
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
Second Consecutive Year

Best European Hotel Chain
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Third Consecutive Year

Best Hotel Chain in Asia
Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts

Best Hotel Chain in Latin America
InterContinental Hotels and Resorts
Second Consecutive Year

Best Hotel Chain in Mexico
Fiesta Americana
Eighth Consecutive Year

Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East
Jumeirah International

Best Overseas Delivery Program
Volvo
Third Consecutive Year

Best Rental Car Company
Hertz
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Tourism Destination
Kenya

Best MICE City
Seoul
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best WiFi Service
Boingo Wireless
Eighth Consecutive Year

Best Noise-Cancelling Headset
Sony Digital Noise-Cancelling Headphone MDR1000XM2 Wireless

Best Luggage Brand
Briggs & Riley
Ninth Consecutive Year

Best Ride Share
Lyft

Best Hotel App
HotelTonight

Best Airline App
American Airlines

Best Overall Credit Card
United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
Seventh Consecutive Year

Best Credit Card Rewards Program
United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
Seventh Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card
Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase
Seventh Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions
Hilton Honors Card from American Express
Third Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits
Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase
Second Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
IHG Rewards Club Select Visa Card

Best Credit Card Special Events
Inside Access from Chase
Third Consecutive Year

Best Small Business Credit Card
Chase Ink Cash Business Preferred Credit Card

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
Seventh Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
United Explorer Card from Chase
Sixth Consecutive Year

Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card
Princess Cruises Visa Signature Card from Barclays

AIRLINE AND HOTEL OF THE YEAR

Airline of the Year
Delta Air Lines

Hotel of the Year
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

WINES ON THE WING AWARDS

Best International Business Class Wines on the Wing
Delta Air Lines

Best International First Class Wines on the Wing
All Nippon Airways

Best Champagne International Business Class
American Airlines

Best Champagne International First Class
All Nippon Airways

Best White Wine International Business Class
Aeroflot

Best White Wine International First Class
EL AL Israel Airlines

Best Red Wine International Business Class
United Airlines

Best Red Wine International First Class
American Airlines

Best Alliance Wines on the Wing
oneworld

Best North American Wines on the Wing
American Airlines

Best North American Sparkling Wine
JetBlue

Best North American White Wine
American Airlines

Best North American Red Wine
American Airlines

Introducing

FX Excursions

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

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
Airlines
Apr 22, 2025

Air France Partners with Sofitel on New Long-Haul, Business-Class Cabin Offering

Air France invites business-class travelers to rest easy. The airline recently announced a new partnership with Sofitel, part of Accor hotel group, offering custom mattress pads on every long-haul, business-class seat. This new feature from Sofitel’s bedding collection will begin rolling out across long-haul flights starting in July.

Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive

Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.

Daily
Apr 22, 2025

Cabot Citrus Farms Opens as Florida’s Newest Resort Destination

Cabot Citrus Farms, on Florida’s Nature Coast, is now officially open. Representing Cabot’s first U.S. destination (the rest are in Canada), the property is set on 1,200 acres of pristine natural beauty and features two 18-hole golf courses, two unique shorter courses, luxury real estate and accommodations, curated experiences, and a host of amenities ranging from axe throwing to bass fishing to pickleball.

April 2025
Apr 22, 2025

Reach Ultimate Relaxation at The Spa at Vellas Vallarta

Staying at Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, guests enjoy access not only to that property and its amazing amenities but also to the amenities at its sister hotel, Velas Vallarta. During my recent stay at Casa Velas, I took full advantage of that perk, whether relaxing on the beach, enjoying various on-property restaurants or treating myself to a peaceful treatment at The Spa at Velas Vallarta.

A Summer Sojourn Along Europe’s Rivers with AmaWaterways

This summer, elevate your vacation experience with award-winning AmaWaterways. Offering a seamless blend of unparalleled luxury, authentic cultural experiences and unrivaled service, AmaWaterways cruises are the perfect way to uncover the heart of Europe during the sunniest season with itineraries that glide along the continent’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine and the Douro.

Daily
Apr 22, 2025

Sister Property to Versace Mansion Opens in Miami Beach This May

This May, Donatella Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, the official sister property to Versace Mansion (now The Villa Casa Casuarina), debuts in Miami Beach. The new hotel and restaurant breathes life into a 1920s, Wallace Tutt-designed gem, with just six guestrooms for the ultimate intimate experience.

April 2025
Apr 19, 2025

This Course at Innisbruck Resort Tests Professional and Casual Golfers Alike

Palm Harbor might not be the first place you think of when checking out golf in the Sunshine State, but less than an hour from Tampa you will find a cozy golf nook.

Royal Air Maroc Marks Five Years with oneworld: Strengthening Connectivity Between USA and Africa and Expanding Global Reach

Royal Air Maroc proudly enters its fifth year as a member of the prestigious oneworld alliance. Since joining in April 2020, RAM has demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as a dynamic airline that enhanced its digital services and expanded its network. The airline plans to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037, reinforcing its global presence.

April 2025
Apr 19, 2025

BermudAir Announces New Non- Stop Bermuda Routes

Sun, sea and sand beckon this year with new non-stop service to Bermuda via BermudAir. The airline expands its reach with the addition of services from Richmond, Virginia (RIC); Providence, Rhode Island (PVD); and Montréal, Québec (YUL).