American Airlines took home the honor of “best elite program” for the Americas last night at the 27th annual Freddie Awards. I’m outraged.
I am not an American Airlines flyer, but I certainly follow the AAdvantage program closely, both in terms of elite perks and redemptions. American Airlines DID NOT deserve that prize.
First off, a note on methodology. How are winners ultimately determined?
The rigorous process to win a coveted Freddie Award is entirely based on the voice of the road warrior / frequent flyer who casts a ballot and personally decides which programs they feel provided the best value and services during the prior year. All ballots undergo a robust technical audit to determine their validity.
Here’s the problem. AA did a brilliant job of encouraging its members to vote. We saw banners on the emails and even no-status I received an invitation to vote American Airlines:
So AA “got out the vote” well and I give it much credit for that. But really…cutting systemwide upgrades, transitioning to a revenue-based earning model, massively devaluing premium class awards, and not making any saver award space available on its own metal does not lend itself to legitimately earning an award for “best elite program”.
United and Delta are not any better, but how about Alaska Airlines? That was my vote. But I’m just venting here…
On another note, Randy Petersen surprised everyone by reprising his MC role for part of the evening last night. He did a wonderful job.
Here’s a look at the overall list of winners—
2017 Freddie Awards Winners
Americas
Airline
Program of the Year — Southwest Airlines – Rapid Rewards
Best Elite Program — American Airlines – AAdvantage
Best Promotion — Avianca – LifeMiles
Best Customer Service — Southwest Airlines – Rapid Rewards
Best Redemption Ability — Southwest Airlines – Rapid Rewards
210 AWARD — Avianca – LifeMiles
Hotel
Program of the Year — Marriott Hotels – Marriott Rewards
Best Elite Program — Marriott Hotels – Marriott Rewards
Best Promotion — MGM – M life Rewards
Best Customer Service — Marriott Hotels – Marriott Rewards
Best Redemption Ability — Marriott Hotels – Marriott Rewards
210 AWARD — AccorHotels – Le Club AccorHotels
Credit Card
Best Loyalty Credit Card — Southwest Airlines – Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card – Chase
Europe and Africa
Airline
Program of the Year — Norwegian Air – Norwegian Reward
Best Elite Program — AIR FRANCE/KLM – Flying Blue
Best Promotion — AIR FRANCE/KLM – Flying Blue
Best Customer Service — Aeroflot Bonus
Best Redemption Ability — Aeroflot Bonus
210 AWARD — TAP Portugal – Victoria Programme
Hotel
Program of the Year — Accor Hotels – Le Club Accorhotels
Best Elite Program — Starwood – Starwood Preferred Guest
Best Promotion — Accor Hotels – Le Club Accorhotels
Best Customer Service — Accor Hotels – Le Club Accorhotels
Best Redemption Ability — Accor Hotels – Le Club Accorhotels
210 AWARD — Choice Hotels – Choice Privileges
Credit Card
Best Affinity Credit Card — Norwegian Air – Norwegian Reward – Bank Norwegian Norwegian Card
Middle East & Asia/Oceana
Airline
Program of the Year — EL AL – Matmid Club
Best Elite Program — Virgin Australia – Velocity
Best Promotion — EL AL – Matmid Club
Best Customer Service — EL AL – Matmid Club
Best Redemption Ability — Virgin Australia – Velocity
210 AWARD — ANA – ANA Mileage Club
Hotel
Program of the Year — Starwood – Starwood Preferred Guest
Best Elite Program — Starwood – Starwood Preferred Guest
Best Promotion — Starwood – Starwood Preferred Guest
Best Customer Service — Starwood – Starwood Preferred Guest
Best Redemption Ability — Starwood – Starwood Preferred Guest
210 AWARD — Trident Hotels – Trident Privilege
Credit Card
Best Affinity Credit Card — American Express – Membership Rewards – American Express
Fwiw, when I voted I separated out the redemption side from the benefits of being elite from the carrier. Yes AAs redemption side is boardline criminal at this point, but, their elite benefits when I’m traveling as an EXP are still quite good. I know swus went down this year, but on balance I feel I am treated well.
Now, as a practical matter is Dl or Ua better? I don’t know. Maybe therefore I shouldn’t vote. Nor then should anyone vote who isn’t an elite member of all major programs. Since this isn’t the case we are left with a vote that reflects the size and motivation of the elites in each program. To your point it sounds like Aa did the best job of whipping up the vote.
I don’t want to know who was elected the worst. :((((
I voted for American as my vote was for the whole year and for 7 months we got 100 bonus but the system wide upgrades are the best – even going from 8 to 4
I got upgraded 43 of 46 flights
I was United 1K and love American much much more
I see you point with Alaska but being in Miami most Trancon flights are priced 100 dollars more per RT
To combat the EQD with American this year – I’m flying from cai to mia on Qatar in business to get 4,000 + towards EQD but 1st flight was 930 rt and got 3,800 towards 12000 needed – next flight cost more 1,300 but its in higher class so ill earn over 4,000 dollars towards EQD
Who says Americans don’t have a sense of humor?
I would say “unbelievable'” except that Donald Trump is president. Elections, even silly ones like this, are decided by who votes, not who is best. As Americans we seem never to remember that. Apparently AA did! And for my part, it’s Alaska all the way!!!
Who cares? The Freddies are just a self-licking ice cream cone.
Reminds me of when Obama got the Nobel Peace Prize.
ELAL Matmid winning anything is truly ridiculous. They are terrible!
LOL@ Eric…
The Freddie’s are a joke. It’s about the biggest programs that get out the biggest vote. Which programs have brainwashed their customers best? I still can’t understand how Southwest’s program wins so many awards, especially their credit card. Isn’t one better just using the revenue from a good cash back card towards buying airline tickets (or anything else) than their credit card and proprietary points that could devalue at a moment’s notice? Rapid rewards ease of redemption? Sure but at what point cost?
the same joke applies to marriott where the “customer service” turned out to be an insult for so many times in my experience
“How about Alaska?” At least with American you get Oneworld Elite Benefits, which get you into international first class lounges? What does Alaska MVP status get you on Cathay Pacific? Qantas? JAL? Yeah…..
All the negatives you described, United and Delta have done the same. So the global alliance perks are the next differentiating factor. Hell on Delta, you cannot even redeem international first class awards on partner airlines.
El Al …. seriously?????