The results are in! For the 19th consecutive year, Global Traveler conducted its GT Tested Reader Survey, asking frequent 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. The 2021 survey ran Dec. 14, 2021–Sept. 30, 2022. The results of the survey are announced in the December 2022 issue, available now.
“As it has been for the last nearly two decades, it’s an extraordinary honor to acknowledge those travel providers that are the best of the best,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, Global Traveler. “I can’t believe we’re approaching the 20th anniversary of our GT Tested Reader Survey awards, and I’m proud of all the winners, past and present; our team who work on the awards every year; and our readers who vote yearly in the survey. Our readers know and voted for the true stars of the travel industry. Here’s to continued travel success in 2023 and beyond! Congratulations to all the accomplished winners!”
Winners receiving the same award for the fifth consecutive year also receive Quint Status recognition; and those celebrating a 10th consecutive win will enter the Hall of Fame.
This year’s winners will be feted at a reception Dec. 6, at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles. For more information, check out the December 2022 issue of Global Traveler or visit globaltravelerusa.com.
A complete list of winners is as follows:
Best Overall Airline in the World
Singapore Airlines
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airline Alliance
oneworld
13th Consecutive Year
Best Aircraft Type
Airbus A350
Best Airline Website
AA.com
Sixth Consecutive Year
Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific
United Airlines
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airline for International First Class
Air France
Best Airline for Business Class
Turkish Airlines
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Airline for Domestic First Class
Delta Air Lines
Best Airline Lounges
United Club
Best Airline for Onboard Service
Asiana Airlines
19th Consecutive Year
Best Airline for Flight Attendants
Asiana Airlines
19th Consecutive Year
Best Airline Cuisine
Turkish Airlines
Best Flight Attendant Uniforms
Air France
Best Business-Class Seat Design
Cathay Pacific Airways
Best First-Class Seat Design
Air France
Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers
Turkish Airlines Corporate Club
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness
Air Canada
Third Consecutive Year
Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program
United MileagePlus®
19th Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program
United MileagePlus Premier Executive 1K
Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program
United MileagePlus®
10th Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption
Delta SkyMiles
Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Best Airline in North America
Air Canada
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Airline to South America & Central America
LATAM Airlines Group
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airline in Mexico
Aeromexico
13th Consecutive Year
Best Airline in the South Pacific
Air Tahiti Nui
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Airline in Europe
TAP Air Portugal
12th Consecutive Year
Best Airline in Eastern Europe
LOT Polish Airlines
Best Airline in Africa
Ethiopian Airlines
Best Airline in the Middle East
Etihad Airways
Third Consecutive Year
Best Airline in North Asia
China Airlines
10th Consecutive Year
Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India
Air India
Ninth Consecutive Year
Best Airline in China
Air China
Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand
Qantas
Best Airline to Japan
Japan Airlines
Second Consecutive Year
Best Trans-Atlantic Airline
United Airlines
Best Trans-Pacific Airline
All Nippon Airways
Third Consecutive Year
Best Overall Airport in the World
Hamad International Airport, Doha
Best Airport in North America
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
19th Consecutive Year
Best Airport in Asia
Incheon International Airport
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Airport in Europe
Istanbul Grand Airport
Best Airport in the Middle East
Hamad International Airport
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Airport in South America
El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Airport in Africa
Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa
Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents
Turkish Airlines
Seventh Consecutive Year
Best Airport Dining
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Third Consecutive Year
Best Airport Shopping
Istanbul Grand Airport
Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport
Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World
Dubai Duty Free
16th Consecutive Year
Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia
Incheon International Airport
Second Consecutive Year
Best Duty-Free Shopping in Africa
Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa
Best Duty-Free Shopping in Europe
Istanbul Grand Airport
Best Duty-Free Shopping in the Middle East
Dubai Duty Free
Best Individual Hotel in the World
St. Regis Singapore
Best International Hotel Chain
The Ritz-Carlton
Second Consecutive Year
Best Domestic Hotel Chain
The Ritz-Carlton
Best Lifestyle Hotel
Aloft
Best MICE Hotel
LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL
Eighth Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Website
ihg.com
Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World
IHG One Rewards
18th Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite
Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program
Sonesta Travel Pass
Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption
Marriott Bonvoy
Third Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service
Marriott Bonvoy
Best Hotel in the United States
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
12th Consecutive Year
Best Hotel in Asia
The Peninsula Bangkok
Best New Hotel in Asia
SIGNIEL BUSAN
Best Hotel in South Korea
LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL
11th Consecutive Year
Best Hotel in Japan
Tokyo Station Hotel
Best Hotel in Singapore
The Fullerton Hotel
Best Hotel Chain in Asia
Oberoi Hotels
Best Hotel in Europe
Four Seasons Istanbul at the Bosphorus
Best European Hotel Chain
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Seventh Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Chain in Latin America
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel Chain in Mexico
Fiesta Americana
12th Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East
Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Hotel in the Middle East
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Overseas Delivery Program
Volvo
Seventh Consecutive Year
Best Rental Car Company
Hertz
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airport Parking
The Parking Spot
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Tourism Destination
Greece
Second Consecutive Year
Best MICE City
Seoul
Eighth Consecutive Year
Best WiFi Service
Intelsat
Second Consecutive Year
Best Luggage Brand
Tumi
Best Hotel App
Hilton
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Airline App
Alaska Airlines
Best Small to Mid-Sized Business Program
IHG Business Edge
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Offshore Business Location
U.S. Virgin Islands
Best Travel Insurance Company
Allianz Travel
Best Rail Service/Travel Provider
Rocky Mountaineer
Best Overall Credit Card
United Club Infinite Card from Chase
Third Consecutive Year
Best Small Business Credit Card
Capital One Spark Miles for Business Card
Second Consecutive Year
Best Credit Card Special Events
United Card Event
Third Consecutive Year
Best Credit Card Rewards Programs
United Club Infinite Card from Chase
Third Consecutive Year
Best Credit Card Design
Capital One Venture X
Best New Credit Card Launch
Capital One Venture X
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Card from Chase
11th Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Card from Chase
Second Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Third Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card from Bank of America
11th Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions
United Club Infinite Card from Chase
Third Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card from Bank of America
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
United Explorer Card from Chase
10th Consecutive Year
Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card
Princess Cruises Visa Signature Card from Barclays
Fifth 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 Dec. 14, 2021–Sept. 30, 2022. 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. Three 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 and the Leisure Lifestyle Awards.
About globaltravelerusa.com
globaltravelerusa.com offers unique daily content catering to the lifestyle and travel interests of premium travelers who fly all over the world for business and pleasure. A host of positions, including banners, sponsored content and specialty takeovers, are available. Other digital editorial e-newsletters include eFlyer, On the Road with Global Traveler slideshow, GT Week in Review and Issue Preview. Custom e-newsletters, such as Publisher’s Picks, GT on the Go and Premium eDeal, are available for advertisers.
About FXExpress Publications, Inc.
FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler, globaltravelerusa.com, FX Excursions, eFlyer and several annuals. WhereverFamily LLC publishes whereverfamily.com and its related brands, and Trazee Travel, LLC publishes trazeetravel.com. FXExpress Publications, Inc. awards the annual Industry Leader Awards.
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