Top 5 US Airline Rewards Program Comparison: Pros, Cons, & Hidden Perks

I’m a bad traveler for one reason: I don’t play the points game.

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I don’t play the points game because I don’t spend on credit cards. I don’t spend on credit cards because I immigrated to Europe seven years ago, and banks don’t often issue them over here.

In short, my lifestyle isn’t compatible with airline rewards programs… at least, when it comes to points accrued from credit card spending.

That being said, I am a loyal Delta flyer when it comes to transatlantic flights. I’ve been a SkyMiles member for a few years. It’s yet to yield any big landfall given that I fly smaller airlines for shorter trips and Delta is just my long-haul champion.

If you’re like me and you focus your travel savings efforts on airline loyalty programs instead of credit card rewards points, it’s important to choose your preferred airline carefully. Delta landed on my radar thanks to its hubs; Atlanta is my gateway to getting back to the United States, so it made sense for me.

That being said, airline hubs probably shouldn’t be your deciding factor. Here’s what you need to know about flying with a quick US-based airline rewards program comparison, including how they stack up in terms of pros, cons, and hidden perks.

For the purposes of this airline rewards program comparison, I’m relying on 2026 reports from US News, NerdWallet, Joy, and WalletHub. The top five US airline rewards programs are consistent across all four publications, with the fifth position tied between JetBlue TrueBlue and Southwest Rapid Rewards. Alaska Atmos is listed first across the board.

The middle three contenders (United, Delta, and American) swap positions in the middle of the pack, depending on the publication.

Top 5 US airline rewards program comparison: American, United, Delta, Atmos, &

Atmos Rewards (combined with Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines)

• The pros: You can earn points flying domestically along the West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii, along with international flights to places like Canada, Mexico, Belize, and Costa Rica. Plus, you can choose how to accrue points, from distance flown to dollars spent.
• The cons: When you choose to accrue points, you must stick with that selection for a whole year.
• The hidden perks that make it valuable: You earn points on over 30 partner airlines, including British Airways and American Airlines, giving you more flexibility to earn points with other airlines.
• Sign up for this program if: You fly often around the West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii. This program is better for short-haul flyers.

Delta SkyMiles

• The pros: You can cash out your SkyMiles points to book flights with Delta, along with other perks like cabin upgrades, checked bags, vacation packages, and even lounge access.
• The cons: Basic-fare economy won’t contribute to your points. (It’s a huge bummer.) Also, its credit cards rewards programs are exclusive to Amex, which isn’t the most accessible.
• The hidden perks that make it valuable: You can earn points from 20+ other partner airlines, including major international airlines like Virgin Atlantic, KLM, and Air France. Delta also has unique programs with other travel companies, including Uber, Airbnb, and Starbucks, letting you earn SkyMiles points when you book on them.
• Sign up for this program if: You fly in and out of hubs like NYC and Atlanta often. It’s also ideal for anyone who flies to/from Europe, and also books with European airlines like KLM, Air France, and Virgin.

United MileagePlus

• The pros: United Airlines serves the whole country and has a global presence with 40+ airline partners. You can even earn miles on select cruise vacations and care rentals. United also partners with Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG for other rewards.
• The cons: Point transfers can get complicated on partner airlines, meaning you’re going to handle a lot of details to cash in those flight miles.
• The hidden perks that make it valuable: United Airlines has a global reach that you can take advantage of as a loyalty member. Thanks to its massive 40+ airline partner catalogue, you can fly to Asia, Australia, South America, Europe, and Mexico with airlines like Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, and more, while earning MileagePlus points.
• Sign up for this program if: You’re a globetrotter who wants to start accruing your miles in a single place, and you aren’t afraid of a little homework.

American Airlines AAdvantage

• The pros: American Airlines has dozens of partners in the United States and abroad, letting you contribute to your points share on flights with a range of airlines. That includes British Airways, Qatar Airways, and Hawaiian Airlines.
• The cons: You can only earn points for one seat per flight. If you’re after an elite status, that will be very difficult to reach without spending a hefty sum, too.
• The hidden perks that make it valuable: American Airlines has more partners than any other airline in the United States, letting you put together points-accruing trips more often. Its credit card rewards programs are also very diverse, letting you pick from Citi, Barclays, and other brands.
• Sign up for this program if: You want the chance to collect and redeem airline loyalty points at dozens of other travel companies, from car rentals to cruises to vacation packages.

JetBlue TrueBlue (tied with Southwest)

• The pros: You earn six points per $1 spent, up from five points with the other airline rewards programs listed here. Plus, you can pool points between groups to make larger bookings.
• The cons: JetBlue has more limited flight routes than the other airlines listed here. It’s better used for vacation planning instead of just booking flights.
• The hidden perks that make it valuable: TrueBlue is a rewards program that includes flights, along with JetBlue vacation packages and Paisly by JetBlue, which lets you book car rentals, hotels, and activities. Think of it like a triple-threat for frequent travelers.
• Sign up for this program if: You want to convert airline miles into perks from other companies using co-branded cards. You also want to use miles to book other travel experiences, from hotels to car rentals.

Southwest Rapid Rewards (tied with JetBlue)

• The pros: Points never expire with Southwest, letting you slowly but surely build your rewards. Like JetBlue TrueBlue, you earn six points per $1 spent, up from five points compared to others.
• The cons: Basic fares won’t contribute much to your points, meaning you need to pay more to earn more. Southwest has also cut its more famous loyalty offers, such as companion passes.
• The hidden perks that make it valuable: Southwest doesn’t impose a spending minimum to reach a new status, meaning you can climb the ranks naturally over time.
• Sign up for this program if: You fly frequently around the country—Southwest operates thousands of flights daily to both large and small cities around the country. It’s also a budget-friendly airline compared to competitors.