Seeing the words, “The winners of the 2014 FlyerTalk Awards, sponsored by KAYAK, have been announced exclusively at CNN.com – click to check them all out!” has me wondering if I am even permitted to share the awards winners with you on Loyalty Traveler blog.
I read the CNN piece this morning. I did not realize I was in exclusive company at the time. When I went to FlyerTalk to check the full list of winners, I learned that I had already seen all the winners announced on CNN.
http://www.flyertalk.com/awards/
In a world where I strive to stay small and be open as a travel blogger (or should I say, be small and stay open as a travel blogger?), everyone wants a piece of the corporate media publicity pie.
FlyerTalk Awards Winners of Best Loyalty Programs
Americas:
Airlines
- American AAdvantage
- United Mileage Plus
Hotels
- Starwood Preferred Guest
- Hilton HHonors
Car Rental
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Europe and Africa
Airlines
- British Airways Executive Club
Hotels
- Starwood Preferred Guest
Car Rental
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Middle East/Asia/Oceania
Airlines
- Jet Airways Jet Privilege
Hotels
- Taj Hotels and Palaces Inner Circle
Car Rental
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Winners of Best Travel Rewards Benefit
Americas
- American Airlines Executive Platinum 8 systemwide upgrades.
- Marriott Rewards Concierge Lounge
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards package benefits
Europe/Africa
- British Airways Avios upgrades and distance-based reward chart.
- Hilton HHonors Executive Lounge
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards points for free rentals
Middle East/Asia/Pacific
- Jet Airways JetPrivilege cash upgrades on domestic India flights.
- Taj Hotels and Palaces Inner Circle room upgrades.
You can read more details in CNN’s exclusive coverage of the FlyerTalk Travel Awards Program.
You can read about FlyerTalk member reactions to the award winners here.
Personally, I have little interest in award winners for travel loyalty programs. Most of these noted travel loyalty program benefits are only available to the top elite members. There are several awards from several publishing companies that are published each year and there tends to be variability in award winners across the usual suspects of major airlines and hotel chains.
The travel industry giants get advertising copy from winning awards and exposure in the media. The award organizers get travel publisher social media attention, corporate sponsorships and an awards party.
I do like a good party, but I don’t care for travel industry awards parties.
How about a travel consumer awards party for all the best airline mistake fares and hotel rate mistakes that travelers are able to catch each year.
Would travel company winners come to that party for their awards?
As a travel consumer, given a good mistake fare or discount hotel rate enticing me to travel somewhere else on the date of the awards party, I would not be there.
*****
Ric Garrido of Monterey, California is writer and owner of Loyalty Traveler.
Loyalty Traveler shares news and views on hotels, hotel loyalty programs and vacation destinations for frequent guests.
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