April marks the halfway point for the 2016 GT Tested Reader Survey awards voting. The open-ended ballot runs yearly in the magazine and online from January to August, and you, our valued readers and true travel experts, can vote for your favorites in a number of industry-related categories, from airlines and hotels to reward programs and products.
With only a few months left to cast your vote for your favorites, Global Traveler is taking a look at those winners on the cusp of achieving milestone status in our survey — including entering the 10-Year Hall of Fame and earning Quint Status.
Hall of Fame
In 2013, as Global Traveler celebrated the 10th anniversary of the GT Tested Reader Survey awards, we recognized those winners who dominated their respective categories for the entirety of our survey. Our inaugural Hall of Fame winners included Singapore Airlines (Best Airline in the World), Asiana Airlines (Best Airline for Onboard Service and Best Airline for Flight Attendants), United MileagePlus (Best Frequent-Flyer Program), South African Airways (Best Airline in Africa), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (Best Airport in North America) and Sheraton Hotels & Resorts (Best Hotel Chain in Latin America).
Subsequent inductees into the Hall of Fame included Incheon Airport (Best Overall Airport in the World), Air Canada (Best Airline in North America) and IHG Rewards Club (Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World).
The esteemed companies looking to claim their titles for the 10th time and earn Hall of Fame status in 2016 include
EL AL Israel Airlines
Best Airline for Security
Dubai Duty Free
Best Duty-Free Shops
The Address Downtown Dubai
Best Individual Hotel in the World
Quint Status
To recognize those achieving five consecutive years at the top of their categories, Global Traveler introduces Quint Status. Past honorees include oneworld (Best Airline Alliance), Alitalia (Best Airline Cuisine), Aeromexico (Best Airline in Mexico), TAP Portugal (Best Airline in Europe), Andaz (Best Lifestyle Hotel), The Peninsula Beverly Hills (Best Hotel in the United States), Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts (Best Hotel Chain in Mexico), Boingo Wireless (Best WiFi Service) and Briggs & Riley (Best Luggage Brand).
The esteemed companies looking to claim their titles for the fifth time and earn Quint status in 2016 include
Lotte Hotel Seoul
Best Hotel in South Korea
Ireland
Best Tourism Destination
United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
Best Credit Card
Best Credit Card Rewards Program
Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card from Chase
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card
How to Vote
To vote for the 2016 GT Tested Reader Survey awards and help your favorites win or earn milestone Hall of Fame and Quint Status positions, turn to page 57 and complete the ballot or visit our website at globaltravelerusa.com/gt-tested-awards-ballot.
Airline and Hotel of the Year
Also in 2016, we award our sixth annual Airline of the Year and Hotel of the Year. To which airline and hotel will last year’s winners, Turkish Airlines and The Ritz-Carlton, pass the torch?
The Airline and Hotel of the Year awards are not reader-voted but are selected by a panel of Global Traveler employees and Advisory Board members. Winners are selected based on experience and independent research on financial data, occupancy rates, load factors, on-time figures, safety records, brand image and menus.
The 2016 Airline of the Year nominees, as voted by the well-traveled Global Traveler team, are
Aer Lingus
Aeromexico
Alitalia
American Airlines
Brussels Airlines
China Airlines
Delta Air Lines
EVA Air
LATAM
Lufthansa
Singapore Airlines
Swiss International Air Lines
The 2016 Hotel of the Year nominees, as voted by the well-traveled Global Traveler team, are
Aman Resorts
Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Hyatt Hotels
InterContinental Hotels
Langham Hotels
Meliá Hotels
The Peninsula Hotels
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Latin America
The winners will be revealed in our December 2016 issue.
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