The results are in! For the 17th 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 22,000 people responded. Global Traveler’s inaugural awards were celebrated in 2004.
The survey honors airlines, hotels, loyalty programs 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 September. The results of the survey are announced in the December 2020 issue, available now.
“This year has certainly tested the travel industry and this list of winners is truly a who’s who of the very best in the industry, beyond cabin set-up or room service menu. It’s a compilation of those who put traveler safety and security first and foremost,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, Global Traveler. “We also need to thank our readers who vote yearly in the survey. For intrepid travelers, this year has been quite the curveball, and not only do we celebrate our winners, we also celebrate the promise of a return of the travel industry we know and love. Congratulations!”
This year’s winners will be feted at a virtual reception Dec. 14, at globaltravelerusa.com. For more information, check out the December 2020 issue of Global Traveler or visit our website.
A complete list of winners is as follows:
Best Overall Airline in the World
United Airlines
Best Airline Alliance
oneworld
11th Consecutive Year
Best Aircraft Type
Airbus A350
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airline Website
AA.com
Fourth Consecutive Year
Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific
American Airlines
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Airline for International First Class
Cathay Pacific Airways
Best Airline for Business Class
Turkish Airlines
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Airline for Domestic First Class
American Airlines
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Airline Lounges
Delta SkyClubs
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airline for Onboard Service
Asiana Airlines
17th Consecutive Year
Best Airline for Flight Attendants
Asiana Airlines
17th Consecutive Year
Best Airline Cuisine
Etihad Airways
Best Flight Attendant Uniforms
Cathay Pacific Airways
Best Airline for Security
EL AL Israel Airlines
14th Consecutive Year
Best Business-Class Seat Design
Singapore Airlines
Best First-Class Seat Design
All Nippon Airways
Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers
Turkish Airlines Corporate Club
Third Consecutive Year
Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness
Air Canada
Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program
United Airlines MileagePlus
17th Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program
United MileagePlus Premier Executive 1K
Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program
United MileagePlus
Eighth Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption
Air Canada Aeroplan
Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service
American Airlines AAdvantage
Third Consecutive Year
Best Airline in North America
Air Canada
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airline to South America
Avianca
Best Airline in Mexico
Aeromexico
11th Consecutive Year
Best Airline in the South Pacific
Air Tahiti Nui
Third Consecutive Year
Best Airline in Europe
TAP Air Portugal
10th Consecutive Year
Best Airline in Eastern Europe
Aeroflot
Best Airline in Africa
Ethiopian Airlines
Best Airline in the Middle East
Etihad Airways
Best Airline in North Asia
China Airlines
Seventh Consecutive Year
Best Airline in China
China Airlines
Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India
Air India
Seventh Consecutive Year
Best Airline to Japan
All Nippon Airways
Best Trans-Atlantic Airline
TAP Air Portugal
Best Trans-Pacific Airline
All Nippon Airways
Best Overall Airport in the World
Singapore Changi Airport
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Airport in North America
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
17th Consecutive Year
Best Airport in Asia
Incheon International Airport
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Airport in Europe
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Third Consecutive Year
Best Airport in the Middle East
Hamad International Airport
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Airport in South America
El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá
Third Consecutive Year
Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents
Turkish Airlines
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Airport Dining
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Best Airport Shopping
Miami International Airport
Second Consecutive Year
Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport
Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California
Third Consecutive Year
Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World
Dubai Duty Free
14th Consecutive Year
Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia
Singapore Changi Airport
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best International Hotel Chain
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Best Domestic Hotel Chain
The Ritz-Carlton
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Lifestyle Hotel
Andaz
Best MICE Hotel
Lotte Hotel Seoul
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Website
hilton.com
Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World
InterContinental Hotels Group
IHG® Rewards Club
16th Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite
Second Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program
Hilton Honors
Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption
Marriott Bonvoy
Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service
Marriott Bonvoy
Second Consecutive Year
Best Hotel in the United States
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
10th Consecutive Year
Best Hotel in Asia
SIGNIEL Seoul, Lotte Tower
Best Hotel in South Korea
Lotte Hotel Seoul
Ninth Consecutive Year
Best European Hotel Chain
St. Regis
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Chain in Mexico
Fiesta Americana
10th Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East
Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts
Third Consecutive Year
Best Hotel in the Middle East
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
Third Consecutive Year
Best Overseas Delivery Program
Volvo
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Rental Car Company
Enterprise
Best Airport Parking
The Parking Spot
Second Consecutive Year
Best Tourism Destination
Spain
Best MICE City
Seoul
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best WiFi Service
Boingo Wireless
10th Consecutive Year
Best Luggage Brand
Briggs & Riley
11th Consecutive Year
Best Hotel App
Hilton Hotels
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airline App
American Airlines
Third Consecutive Year
Best Small- to Mid-Sized Business Program
IHG Business Edge
Second Consecutive Year
Best Overall Credit Card
Chase United Club Infinite Card
Best Credit Card Rewards Programs
Chase United Club Infinite Card
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase
Ninth Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Second Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Second Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Best Credit Card Special Events
Inside Access from Chase
Best Small Business Credit Card
American Airlines Aviator Barclays
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card from Bank of America
Ninth Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions
Chase United Club Infinite Card
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card from Bank of America
Second Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
United Explorer Card from Chase
Eighth Consecutive Year
Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card
Princess Cruises Visa Signature Card from Barclays
Third Consecutive Year
About the Survey
Global Traveler conducted an open-ended survey of its readers to determine the best in more than 80 travel-related categories. The survey was conducted from Jan. 1–Sept. 30, 2020. Questionnaires were available in subscriber copies of the magazine, online at globaltravelerusa.com/gt-tested-awards-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
With nearly 550,000 readers, Global Traveler connects brands with U.S.-based frequent, affluent travelers. According to MediaMark Research (Gfk MRI), GT readers have an average net worth of $2 million and 50 percent are CEOs and owners of companies. Our readers average nine domestic flights per year and 93 percent travel internationally on a regular basis (11 round-trips in the last three years), mostly in first and business class. More than 55 percent stay in 4- and 5-star hotels, at an average 60 nights per year. Special editions — Leisure Lifestyle Edition, Global City Guidebook and Class Act Guide — complement monthly issues. Each year, Global Traveler awards the GT Tested Reader Survey awards, the Leisure Lifestyle Awards and the Wines on the Wing awards (business- and first-class wine survey).
About FXExpress Publications, Inc.
FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler, globaltravelerusa.com, FX Excursions, eFlyer USA and several annuals. WhereverFamily LLC publishes whereverfamily.com and its related brands, and Trazee Travel, LLC publishes trazeetravel.com.
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