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
Read This Next
Curling Goes Beyond the Olympics
March 2025
Mar 24, 2025
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 24, 2025Five-Diamond Hotel Emma in Texas Celebrates Decade
Located in what was once a 19th-century brewery, Hotel Emma happily gears up to celebrate a decade of service. Set in historic San Antonio, Texas, the 146-room hotel — ranked a MICHELIN Two-Key property — can be found within the city’s artsy Pearl community on the River Walk.
Sponsored Content
Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive
Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.
Daily
Mar 24, 2025What’s New at Mandarin Oriental for 2025
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group offers travelers exciting things in 2025.
Slideshow
Mar 24, 20256 Reasons to Put Doha, Qatar, on Your Travel List
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Doha, Qatar, with us.
Sponsored Content
Madrid: The Charm of an Authentic City
They say Madrid is in vogue for many reasons: its lifestyle, its heritage, its cuisine and all of its new attractions. And it’s true, because Madrid is on the radar of travelers looking for a cutting-edge destination that still holds onto its essence. Join us as we explore its charms.
Daily
Mar 24, 2025Pendry Hotels & Resorts to Open Hotel and Residences in Nashville
In 2027, Nashville, Tennessee, will officially be home to Pendry Nashville and Pendry Residences Nashville. The upscale property will emerge in the Paseo South Gulch district and feature 180 guestrooms and suites, as well as 146 Pendry Residences.
The Luxury Collection Debuts in South Caicos
Daily
Mar 21, 2025Maldives Resort Unveils 40 New Grand Beach Suites
Daily
Mar 21, 2025The Capra Launches Swiss Ski Safari
Daily
Mar 20, 2025Daily
Mar 19, 2025What to Expect from a Stay at The Lodge at Black Butte Ranch in Central Oregon’s Black Butte
In May 2023, Black Butte Ranch in Sisters, Oregon, unveiled a new lodge that replaced the former 50-year-old one with a beautiful 27,000-square-foot facility that includes a restaurant and bar, second-floor lounge, fireside room, private dining room, large dressing room and meeting room, and a state-of-the-art kitchen with expanded catering services. The $20 million lodge was a cornerstone addition to the Lakeside area of Black Butte Ranch, opened just after the Lakeside Recreation Complex opened.
Sponsored Content
A Summer Sojourn Along Europe’s Rivers with AmaWaterways
This summer, elevate your vacation experience with award-winning AmaWaterways. Offering a seamless blend of unparalleled luxury, authentic cultural experiences and unrivaled service, AmaWaterways cruises are the perfect way to uncover the heart of Europe during the sunniest season with itineraries that glide along the continent’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine and the Douro.
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 19, 2025Darling Jack’s Tavern Review
My visit to Darling Jack’s Tavern in Philadelphia was an absolute delight, offering a combination of great food, refreshing drinks and even better company. Located on South 13th Street, this spot had been on my list for quite some time, and my friend and I were excited to finally check it out. Safe to say, the evening lived up to the hype.
ShareThis