FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Global Traveler Celebrates the 2024 Winners of the GT Tested Reader Survey Awards

by Kimberly Inlander

Mar 5, 2025

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTOPHER P. OTTAUNICK AND BYC PHOTOGRAPHY

March 2025

The 2024 GT Tested Reader Survey awards gala was a spectacular evening among the stars and Hollywood hills. Celebrating the best of the best as voted by you, our readers, we honored the winners of our 21st annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTOPHER P. OTTAUNICK AND BYC PHOTOGRAPHY

Winners received their awards atop the luxury hotel with incredible views, elegant décor, exceptional company and lots of glamour. With the lights of Los Angeles stretching out in every direction, the festivities recognized 21 years of Global Traveler’s GT Tested Reader Survey; the Airline of the Year and Hotel of the Year winners; Wines on the Wing honorees; the Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel winners; and recipients proudly taking home consecutive-year awards for five (Quint Status), 10 (Hall of Fame), 15 (Crystal Status) and 20 (Platinum Status) years.

We were honored to have an array of sponsors take part in the festivities including United Club Infinite Card from Chase, United Airlines, United MileagePlus, oneworld, IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card from Chase, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase, Hertz, IHG Business Edge and Turkish Airlines.

Join in the fun as we revisit the event.

Best Overall Airline in the World
Singapore Airlines
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Airline Alliance
oneworld
15th Consecutive Year

Best Aircraft Type
Airbus A350

Best Airline Website
delta.com

Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific
Japan Airlines

Best Airline for International First Class
Cathay Pacific Airways

Best Airline for Business Class
Turkish Airlines
Eighth Consecutive Year

Best Airline for Domestic First Class
Delta Air Lines

Best Airline Lounges
Delta Sky Club
Second Consecutive Year

Best Airline for Onboard Service
Korean Air

Best Airline for Flight Attendants
Asiana Airlines
21st Consecutive Year

Best Airline Cuisine
Turkish Airlines

Best Flight Attendant Uniforms
Air France
Third Consecutive Year

Best Airline for Business-Class Seat Design
Cathay Pacific Airways

Best Airline for First-Class Seat Design
Air France
Third Consecutive Year

Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers
Turkish Airlines Corporate Club
Seventh Consecutive Year

Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness
Qatar Airways

Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program
United MileagePlus
21st Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program
United Airlines, MileagePlus – Premier 1K
Third Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program
United MileagePlus
12th Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption
Korean Air SKYPASS
Second Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service
Air Canada Aeroplan
Sixth Consecutive Year

Best Airline in North America
Air Canada
Sixth Consecutive Year

Best Airline to South & Central America
Copa Airlines

Best Airline in Mexico
Aeromexico 15th Consecutive Year

Best Airline in the South Pacific
Air Tahiti Nui
Seventh Consecutive Year

Best Airline in Europe
TAP Air Portugal
14th Consecutive Year

Best Airline in Eastern Europe
Air Serbia

Best Airline in Africa
Royal Air Maroc
Second Consecutive Year

Best Airline in the Middle East
Etihad Airways

Best Airline in North Asia (excluding China)
China Airlines
Sixth Consecutive Year

Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India
Air India
11th Consecutive Year

Best Airline in China
Air China

Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand
Fiji Airways

Best Airline to Japan
Japan Airlines
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Trans-Atlantic Airline
British Airways

Best Trans-Pacific Airline
Cathay Pacific Airways
Second Consecutive Year

Best Overall Airport in the World
Hamad International Airport, Doha

Best Airport in North America
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
21st Consecutive Year

Best Airport in Asia
Incheon International Airport
Eighth Consecutive Year

Best Airport in Europe
iGA Istanbul Airport
Third Consecutive Year

Best Airport in the Middle East
Hamad International Airport, Doha
Eighth Consecutive Year

Best Airport in South America
El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá
Seventh Consecutive Year

Best Airport in Africa
O. R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa
Third Consecutive Year

Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents
Turkish Airlines
Eighth Consecutive Year

Best Airport Dining
Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Best Airport Shopping
iGA Istanbul Airport
Third Consecutive Year

Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World
Dubai Duty Free
18th Consecutive Year

Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia
Incheon International Airport
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Duty-Free Shopping in Africa
O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa
Third Consecutive Year

Best Duty-Free Shopping in Europe
iGA Istanbul Airport
Third Consecutive Year

Best Duty-Free Shopping in the Middle East
Dubai Duty Free
Third Consecutive Year

Best Individual Hotel in the World
The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

Best International Hotel Chain
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Second Consecutive Year

Best Domestic Hotel Chain
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Second Consecutive Year

Best Lifestyle Hotel
Andaz

Best MICE Hotel
Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas

Best Hotel Website
ihg.com
Third Consecutive Year

Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World
IHG One Rewards
20th Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program
IHG One Rewards – Diamond Elite
Second Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program
Hilton Honors
Second Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption
Marriott Bonvoy
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service
IHG One Rewards

Best Hotel in the United States
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
14th Consecutive Year

Best Hotel in Asia
The Peninsula Shanghai

Best Hotel in South Korea
The Shilla, Seoul

Best Hotel in Japan
Park Hyatt Tokyo

Best Hotel in Singapore
Raffles Hotel Singapore
Second Consecutive Year

Best Hotel Chain in Asia
Taj Hotels

Best Hotel in Europe
The Peninsula London

Best Hotel Chain in Europe
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Ninth Consecutive Year

Best Hotel Chain in Latin America
Fiesta Americana Travelty Collection

Best Hotel Chain in Mexico
Fiesta Americana Travelty Collection
14th Consecutive Year

Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East
One&Only Resorts

Best Hotel in the Middle East
One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai

Best Overseas Delivery Program
Porsche

Best Rental Car Company
Hertz
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Airport Parking
WallyPark

Best Tourism Destination
Greece
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best MICE City
Seoul
10th Consecutive Year

Best WiFi Service
Intelsat (Gogo Commercial Aviation)
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Luggage Brand
Briggs & Riley
Second Consecutive Year

Best Hotel App
Marriott Bonvoy
Second Consecutive Year

Best Airline App
Delta Air Lines
Second Consecutive Year

Best Small- to Mid-Sized Business Program
IHG Business Edge
Sixth Consecutive Year

Best Offshore Business Location
British Virgin Islands

Best Travel Insurance Company
UnitedHealthcare Global

Best Rail Service/Provider
Alaska Railroad
Second Consecutive Year

Best Overall Credit Card
United Club Infinite Card from Chase
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Small-Business Credit Card
Ink Business Preferred Card from Chase

Best Credit Card Rewards Program
United Club Infinite Card from Chase
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Credit Card Design
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase

Best New Credit Card Launch
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card from Chase
Second Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase
Second Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
13th consecutive year

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions
United Club Infinite Card from Chase
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
Sixth Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
United Explorer Card from Chase
12th Consecutive Year

Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card
Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card from Bank of America
Second Consecutive Year

Special Publisher’s Award: Fastest-Developing MICE City
Gyeonggi, South Korea

 

QUINT STATUS

Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption
Marriott Bonvoy
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Overall Credit Card
United Club Infinite Card from Chase
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Credit Card Rewards Program
United Club Infinite Card from ChaseM
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions
United Club Infinite Card from Chase
Fifth Consecutive Year

 

HALL OF FAME STATUS

Best MICE City
Seoul
10th Consecutive Year

 

CRYSTAL STATUS

Best Airline Alliance
oneworld
15th Consecutive Year

Best Airline in Mexico
Aeromexico
15th Consecutive Year

 

PLATINUM STATUS

Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World
IHG One Rewards
20th Consecutive Year

 

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Airline of the Year
Delta Air Lines

Hotel of the Year
IHG Hotels & Resorts

Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel (Cruise)
Windstar Cruises

Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel (Hotel)
Marriott International

Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel (Airline)
Delta Air Lines

 

WINES ON THE WING

Top International First-Class Wines on the Wing
STARLUX Airlines

Top International Business-Class Wines on the Wing
Qatar Airways

Top North America First-Class Wines on the Wing
American Airlines

Top Vintage and Non-Vintage Champagne International First Class
Air France (Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle Grand Cuvée)

Top Vintage and Non-Vintage Champagne International First Class
British Airways (Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle Grand Cuvée)

Top Non-Vintage Champagne/Sparkling International Business Class
Qatar Airways (Champagne Gosset Brut Grande Reserve)

Top White Wine International First Class
STARLUX Airlines (Schloss Gobelsburg, Ried Grub | 1 Kamptal)

Top White Wine International Business Class
United Airlines (Château de Cruzeau Grand Vin de Bordeaux 2020)

Top Red Wine International First Class
STARLUX Airlines (Château Bélair-Monange Premier Grand Cru Classé, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2014)

Top Red Wine International Business Class
Brussels Airlines (Château Clément-Pichon Cru Bourgeois Supérieur Haut-Médoc 2018)

Best Champagne/Sparkling North America First Class
American Airlines (Boizel Brut Reserve)

Best White Wine North America First Class
American Airlines (Aussieres Chardonnay 2022)

Best Red Wine North America First Class
Alaska Airlines (Browne Family Vineyards Red Blend 2022)

Best Alliance Wines on the Wing
oneworld

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
Dec 12, 2025

Kimpton Miralina Resort & Villas in Scottsdale Accepts Reservations Ahead of January Opening

Kimpton Miralina Resort & Villas Paradise Valley in Scottsdale, Arizona, is now accepting reservations for stays starting Jan. 5. Nestled at the Camelback and Mummy mountains in the aptly named Paradise Valley, the highly anticipated resort is located minutes away from Old Town Scottsdale and marks the second Kimpton property in Arizona.

Ireland: The Pinnacle of Golf by the Sea and Beyond

With the legacy of The Open at Royal Portrush still fresh, Ireland secured its place among the world’s most exceptional golf destinations. For those in search of championship courses, dramatic landscapes and renowned hospitality, the island offers an experience unlike any other.

Daily
Dec 12, 2025

Introducing Hilton Honors Adventures: New Partnership from Explora Journeys, Hilton

Luxury cruise line Explora Journeys just announced an exclusive collaboration with Hilton to debut Hilton Honors Adventures, an extension of Hilton’s award-winning loyalty program. Both brands combined the freedom of ocean travel with the benefits of Hilton Honors.

Daily
Dec 12, 2025

Former American Embassy in London Opens as Upscale Chancery Rosewood Hotel

London’s newest cultural destination, The Chancery Rosewood made its much-anticipated grand opening earlier this fall. Within this short time period, the property has become one of the most talked-about hospitality venues in Europe. After all, the building was the former U.S. Embassy on Grosvenor Square, a celebrated location once known as London’s “Little America.”

26 Unforgettable Luxuries Across the Island of Ireland in 2026

From dramatic coastlines and ancient sites to lively festivals and hidden gems, the island of Ireland offers unforgettable experiences year-round. Whether visiting for the first time or returning for more, this list will guide you through both classic favorites and underrated treasures.

Daily
Dec 11, 2025

Celebrate the Magic of the Holiday Season at These 5 Raffles Hotels & Resorts

Raffles Hotels & Resorts around the world delight travelers with festive offerings. Celebrate the season at these five properties.

eFlyer News
Dec 10, 2025

New Seasonal, Non-Stop Service Begins Between Orlando and Lima, Peru

LATAM Airlines just launched a new seasonal service from Orlando (MCO) to Lima (LIM) Dec. 1, providing U.S. travelers with a convenient new gateway to Peru’s capital city.

Three Must-Do AmaWaterways River Cruises for the Entire Family

For travelers seeking the perfect blend of relaxation, cultural immersion and family-friendly adventure, few experiences rival that of an AmaWaterways river cruise. Recently honored in Global Traveler’s 2025 Leisure Lifestyle Awards as Best River Cruise Line for the third consecutive year, AmaWaterways continues to set the standard for authentic and inclusive exploration on Europe’s storied waterways. Throughout your journey, you’ll enjoy spacious staterooms; exquisite farm-to-ship cuisine; enriching excursions led by expert local guides; and a warm, attentive crew dedicated to making every journey seamless. For families looking to create lasting memories, here are three unforgettable AmaWaterways itineraries worth experiencing within the coming months.

eFlyer News
Dec 10, 2025

Jumeirah Debuts First Superyacht Experience Aboard “Maltese Falcon”

Jumeirah enters the luxury yachting market with its first-ever foray at sea aboard Maltese Falcon, one of the finest and most innovative sailing superyachts in the world today. The vessel joins Jumeirah’s portfolio under its Privé collection, which encompasses only one other experience currently: