Yardley, Pa., Dec. 1, 2014 – The results are in! For the 11th consecutive year, Global Traveler conducted its GT Tested Reader Survey, asking frequent business and luxury travelers to name the best in a variety of travel-related categories. More than 26,000 people responded. Global Traveler’s inaugural awards were celebrated in 2004.
Over the past 11 years, the survey has grown to honor more travel-related categories, including airlines, hotels, loyalty programs, credit cards and travel-related products in more than 80 categories. GT’s distinguished readers vote for their favorites in the world of travel in an open-ended survey running in the magazine and online from January to August each year. The results of the survey are announced in the December 2014 issue, available now.
GT readers are frequent premium travelers averaging 16 international and 16 domestic round-trip flights a year, with an average household income of $372,900 per year. Global Traveler’s elite readers spend an average 100 nights per year in hotels. A whopping 76 percent regularly travel in business class.
This year’s roster of highly regarded winners includes Etihad Airways (Best Airline in the World), Boeing 787 (Best Aircraft Type), Singapore Airlines (Best Business-Class Seat Design) and United Airlines (Best Trans-Pacific Airline). Other top winners are South African Airways (Best Airline in Africa), Brussels Airlines (Best Trans-Atlantic Airline), Westin Hotels & Resorts (Best International Hotel Chain), Grand Hyatt Incheon (Best MICE Hotel), Marriott Rewards (Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program) and Hertz (Best Rental Car Company).
Global Traveler’s consistent, unbiased reporting for the past 11 years ranks the GT Tested Reader Survey awards among the most highly regarded in the industry.
“What an honor to present the 11th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards; I’m so proud of the past 11 years of success for both Global Traveler and all of our winners,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler. “Being selected No. 1 by our readers is no easy feat, as they are an intrepid group of discerning frequent travelers. Consistency is key, as most of these winners are repeat honorees. Congratulations to the MVPs of the travel industry.”
This year’s winners will be feted at a cocktail reception Dec. 15 at award-winning The Peninsula Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, Calif. For more information, check out the December 2014 issue of Global Traveler or visit our website at newgtsite.wpengine.com. A complete recap of the night’s festivities will be featured in the March 2015 issue.
A complete list of winners is as follows:
Best Airline in the World
Etihad Airways
Best Airline Alliance
oneworld
Best Aircraft Type
Boeing 787
Best Airline Website
JetBlue.com
Best Airline for International First Class
Emirates
Best Airline for Business Class
Singapore Airlines
Best Airline for Domestic First Class
Delta Air Lines
Best Airline for Onboard Service
Asiana Airlines
Best Airline for Flight Attendants
Asiana Airlines
Best Flight Attendant Uniforms
Korean Air
Best Airline Cuisine
Alitalia
Best Airline for Security
EL AL Israel Airlines
Best Business-Class Seat Design
Singapore Airlines
Best First-Class Seat Design
Asiana Airlines
Best Airline for New Service Launch
American Airlines (DFW to PVG)
Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program
United MileagePlus
Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program
American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum
Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program
United MileagePlus
Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption
LifeMiles
Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service, Americas
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
Best Airline in North America
Air Canada
Best Airline to South America
LAN Airlines
Best Airline in Mexico
Aeromexico
Best Airline to Australia and New Zealand
Air New Zealand
Best Airline in the South Pacific
Fiji Airways
Best Airline in Europe
TAP Portugal
Best Airline in Eastern Europe
LOT Polish Airlines
Best Airline in Africa
South African Airways
Best Airline in the Middle East
Etihad Airways
Best Airline in North Asia
China Airlines
Best Airline in Southeast Asia
Singapore Airlines
Best Airline in China
Hainan Airlines
Best Airline in Central/South Asia and India
Air India
Best Airline to Japan
All Nippon Airways
Best Trans-Atlantic Airline
Brussels Airlines
Best Trans-Pacific Airline
United Airlines
Best Airport in the World
Incheon Airport
Best Airport in North America
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Best Airport Lounges
Delta Air Lines Sky Clubs
Best Individual Domestic Lounge
Delta Air Lines Sky Club, ATL Concourse C
Best Individual International Lounge
Lufthansa First Class Lounge Munich
Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents
Etihad
Best Airport Dining
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Best Duty-Free Shops
Dubai Duty Free
Best Individual Hotel in the World
The Address Downtown Dubai
Best International Hotel Chain
Westin Hotels & Resorts
Best Domestic Hotel Chain
Hilton Hotels
Best Lifestyle Hotel
Andaz
Best Airport Hotel
Grand Hyatt Incheon
Best Golf Resort
Golden Horseshoe Golf Club
Best MICE Hotel
Grand Hyatt Incheon
Best Hotel Club Floor
Grand Hyatt Grand Club
Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World
IHG Rewards Club
Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program
Hilton HHonors Diamond
Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption
Starwood Preferred Guest
Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service, Americas
Hilton HHonors
Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program
Marriott Rewards
Best Hotel in the United States
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Best European Hotel Chain
The Ritz-Carlton/Kempsinski Hotels (TIE)
Best Hotel Chain in Asia
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
Best Hotel in South Korea
Lotte Hotel Seoul
Best Hotel Chain in Latin America
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel Chain in Mexico
Fiesta Americana
Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East
Address Hotels + Resorts
Best Overseas Delivery Program
Volvo
Best Car Rental Company
Hertz
Best Tourism Destination
Ireland
Best MICE City
Singapore
Best WiFi Service
Boingo
Best Wireless Service in the World
Verizon Wireless
Best Noise-Canceling Headset
Sony
Best Luggage Brand
Briggs & Riley Travelware
Best Travel App
FlightTrack
Best Travel Camera
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
Best Credit Card
United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
Best Credit Card Rewards Program
United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card
Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card from Chase
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions
Starwood Preferred Guest American Express
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits
IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
Hilton HHonors Credit Card from American Express
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select Card
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits
US Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
United MileagePlus Explorer Card from Chase
Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card
Royal Caribbean Bank of America Visa
Global Traveler will also recognize the following Wines on the Wing award winners at the reception: Brussels Airlines (Best Business-Class Wines on the Wing, Best White Wine International Business Class, Best Red Wine International Business Class), Asiana Airlines (Best First-Class Wines on the Wing), TAM Airlines (Best Champagne International Business Class), British Airways (Best Champagne International First Class and Best White Wine International First Class), EL AL Israel Airlines (Best Sparkling Wine International First or Business Class), Jet Airways (Best Red Wine International First Class), Star Alliance (Best Alliance Wines on the Wing) and American Airlines (Best North American Wines on the Wing, Best North American Sparkling Wine, Best North American White Wine and Best North American Red Wine). The results of the Wines on the Wing airline wine survey were announced in the August 2014 issue.
About the Survey
Global Traveler conducted an open-ended survey of its readers to determine the best in more than 70 travel-related categories. The survey was conducted from Jan. 1, 2013 to Aug. 31, 2014. Questionnaires were available in subscriber copies of the magazine, online at newgtsite.wpengine.com/awards-survey-ballot and through direct mail and email. Only questionnaires with more than 50 percent of the questions answered were considered. An outside accounting firm, Citrin Cooperman LLP, tabulated the results. Employees of the magazine and members of the travel industry were barred from participation.
About Global Traveler
Global Traveler, the only AAM-audited U.S.-based magazine for the international business and leisure traveler, is a business travel and lifestyle publication with an AAM paid circulation of 109,000+.
About FXExpress Publications, Inc.
FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler, China Global Traveler, eFlyer USA; eFlyer Asia, Trazee Travel and several annuals; and also operating globaltravelerusa.com, globaltravelerusa.com/blog, china-globaltraveler.com and TrazeeTravel.com.
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