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
-
- Perry Cantarutti, senior vice president, alliances, Delta Air Lines; Terry Waite
-
- Jiho Choi, general manager, marketing, regional headquarters, Asiana Airlines; Terry Waite
-
- Tara From, director of member management, United Airlines; Terry Waite
-
- Damion Rose, director, marketing promotions, South African Airways; Terry Waite
-
- Jamie Rhee, commissioner, Chicago Department of Aviation
-
- Mark Thorpe, CEO, Ontario International Airport; Terry Waite
-
- Brianna Dingman, senior marketing associate, JP Morgan Chase; Terry Waite
-
- David Canty, vice president, global loyalty programs, InterContinental Hotels Group
-
- Nick Teare, vice president, global brand marketing, Marriott International Luxury Brands
-
- Jason Brusa, director, co-brands, United Airlines; Terry Waite
-
- Offer Nissenbaum, managing director, The Peninsula Beverly Hills; Terry Waite
-
- Pablo Chiozza, vice president, USA, Canada, Caribbean, LATAM Airlines Group
-
- Charles “Chilly” Ewing, airport concessions director, Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport
-
- David Kammann, finance director, CFO, Citibank; Terry Waite
-
- Neelja Sharma, West Coast sales manager, Air India; Terry Waite
-
- Dennis Robbins, general manager, Hertz; Terry Waite
-
- John Boettcher, vice president, commercial and membership, oneworld
-
- Laura Stringel, director of sales, direct channels, reputation and community management, resorts, Posadas
-
- Carlos Paneiro, vice president of sales, TAP Air Portugal; Fern Ottavio, director, passenger sales and marketing, North America, TAP Air Portugal
-
- Gregory Stranz, executive director, JP Morgan Chase
-
- Kyle Mabry, vice president, Western division sales, American Airlines
-
- Abdulaziz Abdulla Al Mass, vice president, commercial and marketing, Hamad International Airport, Doha
-
- Christophe Allard, director, North America, Brussels Airlines
-
- Michael Bolmer, vice president, travel, entertainment and affinity partnerships, Barclays
-
- Mert Dorman, senior vice president, Turkish Airlines Corporate Club
-
- Ersen Engin, general manager, Turkish Airlines
-
- Dragan Drobnjak, sales manager, Aeroflot Russian Airlines
-
- Sinead El Sibai, vice president, marketing, Dubai Duty Free
-
- Jayson Goh, managing director, airport operations management, Singapore Changi Airport
-
- Mark Law, director, product management, Boingo
-
- Tim Lee, vice president, Western United States, Singapore Airlines
-
- Gonzalo Robles Daud, vice president, sales, Aeromexico
-
- Hideki Takarada, vice president, passenger marketing, the Americas, Japan Airlines
-
- Alvaro Werner Gonzalez, CEO, El Dorado Airport
-
- Laurinda Rainey, managing director, travel and affinity co-brand, JP Morgan Chase
-
- Jennifer Plasket, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Bank of America
-
- Richard Krulik, CEO, Briggs & Riley
-
- Adrian Kubicki, director of corporate communications, LOT Polish Airlines
-
- Dean Maxwell, sales and marketing director, Hong Kong Airlines
-
- Francesca Luce, head of customer relationship marketing, Alitalia
-
- Sam Shank, CEO, HotelTonight
-
- Kai Zhao, general manager, Hainan Airlines
-
- Diederik Scheepstra, commercial director, USA, Air France
-
- Alexandra Romero, director, Hilton product management, American Express; Stephanie Miller, director, co-brand product management, American Express
-
- Tanja Dik, director, consumer products and services, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol; Andre van den Berg, chief commercial officer, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
-
- Anna Althoff, director, Hyatt
-
- Gerardo Murray, regional vice president of marketing, Mexico, Latin America & the Caribbean, InterContinental Hotels Group
-
- Frances Tsai, hotel manager, Mandarin Oriental Taipei; Luanne Li, director of marketing communications, Mandarin Oriental Taipei
-
- Jaesung Rhee, president and CEO, Seoul Tourism Organization
-
- Stephen Thompson, senior executive vice president, Qantas
-
- Shin Han, assistant manager, public relations, Incheon Airport
-
- Caroline McDonald, vice president, global sales and marketing, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts; Achim Lenders, senior vice president, operations, Americas and Europe, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts; Tricia Rosentreter, corporate director, brand communications, Americas and Europe, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
-
- Bridget Higgins, senior director, global brand management, Aloft
-
- Amanda Bailey, director, marketing worldwide, Hilton Honors; Bradley Anderson, director, strategy and program management, Hilton Honors
-
- Yoram Elgrabli, managing director, North and Central America, EL AL Israel Airlines
-
- David Lim, executive vice president, Lotte Hotels & Resorts
-
- Ken Chung, senior vice president, EVA Air
-
- Rick Bryant, vice president sales operations, Volvo
-
- Nikhil Takalkar, vice president, loyalty operations, Marriott Rewards
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