After celebrating our 2020 awards virtually, the team at FXExpress Publications, Inc., returned in 2021 to Los Angeles and The Peninsula Beverly Hills to celebrate the winners of our 18th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards, live and in person! The event also marked the 10th year the beautiful Peninsula Beverly Hills served as our host venue.
It was truly a night to remember — for so many reasons — as we celebrated those travel companies consistently going above and beyond, as voted by our readers. In addition to honoring the GT Tested Reader Survey awards, we also feted the Airline and Hotel of the Year and introduced the inaugural winners of our Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel awards.
A number of sponsors joined in the festivities, including United MileagePlus, United Club Infinite Card from Chase, United Explorer Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase, IHG Business Edge, Air Canada, Hertz, Fiesta Americana and Marriott Bonvoy. United Club Infinite Card from Chase and United Explorer Card from Chase sponsored a Dom Perignon raffle. The lucky winners included Edyth Adedeji of Delta Air Lines; Matthew Atalay Mason, Turkish Airlines Corporate Club; Cathy Choi; Aybike Tebbe, Turkish Airlines; and Eric Ludwig. The night’s entertainment was provided by Liz Watts & Co.
We were also honored to welcome Scott Linebrink on behalf of Water Mission. Following a 15-year career in professional baseball, Linebrink joined the organization to help end the global water crisis. Water Mission focuses on building safe water, sanitation and hygiene solutions around the world so everyone has access to clean, safe water. Learn more at watermission.org.
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
Best Airline Alliance
oneworld
12th Consecutive Year
Best Aircraft Type
Boeing 787
Best Airline Website
aa.com
Fifth Consecutive Year
Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific
United Airlines
Best Airline for International First Class
Korean Air
Best Airline for Business Class
Turkish Airlines
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Airline for Domestic First Class
American Airlines
Seventh Consecutive Year
Best Airline Lounges
Delta Sky Club
Third Consecutive Year
Best Airline for Onboard Service
Asiana Airlines
18th Consecutive Year
Best Airline for Flight Attendants
Asiana Airlines
18th Consecutive Year
Best Airline Cuisine
Etihad Airways
Second Consecutive Year
Best Flight Attendant Uniforms
Emirates
Best Airline for Security
Swiss International Air Lines
Best Business-Class Seat Design
Korean Air
Best First-Class Seat Design
All Nippon Airways
Second Consecutive Year
Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers
Turkish Airlines Corporate Club
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness
Air Canada
Second Consecutive Year
Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program
United MileagePlus
18th Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program
American Airlines AAdvantage – Executive Platinum
Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program
United MileagePlus
Ninth Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption
United MileagePlus
Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
Best Airline in North America
Air Canada
Third Consecutive Year
Best Airline to South America
LATAM Airlines Group
Best Airline in Mexico
Aeromexico
12th Consecutive Year
Best Airline in the South Pacific
Air Tahiti Nui
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Airline in Europe
TAP Air Portugal
11th Consecutive Year
Best Airline in Eastern Europe
Aeroflot
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airline in Africa
Royal Air Maroc
Best Airline in the Middle East
Etihad Airways
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airline in North Asia
China Airlines
Ninth Consecutive Year
Best Airline in Central/ South Asia & India
Air India
Eighth Consecutive Year
Best Airline to Japan
Japan Airlines
Best Trans-Atlantic Airline
TAP Air Portugal
Second Consecutive Year
Best Trans-Pacific Airline
Singapore Changi Airport
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Airport in North America
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
18th Consecutive Year
Best Airport in Asia
Incheon International Airport
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Airport in Europe
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Airport in the Middle East
Hamad International Airport
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Airport in South America
El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents
Turkish Airlines
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Airport Dining
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airport Shopping
Miami International Airport
Third Consecutive Year
Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport
Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World
Dubai Duty Free
15th Consecutive Year
Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia
Incheon International Airport
Best International Hotel Chain
The Ritz-Carlton
Best Domestic Hotel Chain
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
Best Lifestyle Hotel
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
Best MICE Hotel
OTTE HOTEL SEOUL
Seventh Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Website
hilton.com
Second Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World
IHG Rewards Club
17th Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program
Hilton Honors Diamond
Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program
Hilton Honors
Second Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption
Marriott Bonvoy
Second Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service
World of Hyatt
Best Hotel in the United States
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
11th Consecutive Year
Best Hotel in Asia
SIGNIEL SEOUL
Second Consecutive Year
Best New Hotel in Asia
SIGNIEL BUSAN
Best Hotel in South Korea
LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL
10th Consecutive Year
Best European Hotel Chain
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Chain in Mexico
Fiesta Americana
11th Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East
Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Hotel in the Middle East
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Overseas Delivery Program
Volvo
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Rental Car Company
Hertz
Best Airport Parking
The Parking Spot
Third Consecutive Year
Best Tourism Destination
Greece
Best MICE City
Seoul
Seventh Consecutive Year
Best WiFi Service
Intelsat (formerly Gogo Commercial Aviation)
Best Luggage Brand
Briggs & Riley
12th Consecutive Year
Best Hotel App
Hilton
Third Consecutive Year
Best Airline App
Delta Air Lines
Best Small- to Mid-Sized Business Program
IHG Business Edge
Third Consecutive Year
Best Overall Credit Card
United Club Infinite Card from Chase
Second Consecutive Year
Best Small Business Credit Card
Capital One Spark Miles for Business Card
Best Credit Card Special Events
United Card Event
Second Consecutive Year
Best Credit Card Rewards Programs
United Club Infinite Card from Chase
Second Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase
10th Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Third Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Second Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
10th Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions
United Club Infinite Card from Chase
Second Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
Third Consecutive Year
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
United Explorer Card from Chase
Ninth Consecutive Year
Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card
Princess Cruises Visa Signature Card from Barclays
Fourth Consecutive Year
Airline of the Year
Delta Air Lines
Hotel of the Year
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel – Airline
Alaska Airlines
Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel – Hotel
Marriott International
Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel – Cruise
Celebrity Cruises
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