A new study by Good Travel Management unveils the best airline loyalty programmes for 2025.

As business travel continues to rebound and evolve, airline loyalty programs remain a critical factor in shaping corporate travel strategies. In an era where flexibility, value, and comfort are paramount, companies and frequent flyers alike are scrutinising these schemes more closely than ever. A new study by Good Travel Management, a leading business travel management firm, has ranked the top global airline loyalty programs for 2025, offering fresh insights into which carriers are delivering the most compelling rewards—and which are falling behind.

With Asia-Pacific airlines making a notable surge and only four holdovers from 2023’s top ten, the findings signal a dynamic shift in the loyalty landscape.

MileagePlus Reigns Supreme

For the second consecutive study, MileagePlus from United Airlines (below) claims the top spot, earning a perfect score of 10/10. This enduring programme excels across key metrics—points expiry, destination coverage, and legroom—making it a standout choice for business travellers.

With no points expiry for 180 months (15 years), MileagePlus offers unmatched flexibility, while its network of 363 destinations (up from 342 in 2023) ensures global reach. Add to that a generous 75 inches of legroom on long-haul flights—second only to Air New Zealand’s 79 inches—and it’s clear why United’s programme remains a gold standard.

MileagePlus continues to innovate, too. In March 2025, United became the first major U.S. carrier to allow members to pool miles with family and friends, a game-changer for collaborative travel planning. The airline’s app now also auto-suggests seat upgrades to window or aisle options as they become available, enhancing the passenger experience.

“MileagePlus exemplifies how airlines can blend value and convenience,” says Richard Quelch, Group CMO of Good Travel Management. “It’s a benchmark for others to aspire to.”

Asia’s Ascendance

A striking trend in the 2025 rankings is the rise of Asian airlines, which account for 40% of the top ten—a shift that sees them overtake the United States in representation. Eastern Miles from China Eastern Airlines leaps from sixth place in 2023 to second with a score of 8.08, buoyed by a policy change extending points expiry from 36 to 180 months. Though its destinations dipped from 248 to 223, the airline is poised for growth with a new joint venture with Etihad Airways and a codeshare with Virgin Atlantic.

Other Asian stars include SkyPass (Korean Air, 5th, 6.58), Asiana Club (Asiana Airlines, 8th, 5.71), and KrisFlyer (Singapore Airlines/Scoot, 9th, 5.29). This regional dominance reflects Asia’s growing influence in global business travel, driven by robust infrastructure and strategic partnerships.

The Top Ten: A Fresh Lineup

Good Travel Management’s methodology—standardising data across metrics like Google search volume, points expiry, lounge reviews, and legroom—analysed 53 loyalty schemes. The resulting top ten reveals significant turnover, with only four programs retaining their 2023 status: MileagePlus, Eastern Miles, SkyMiles (Delta Airlines, 3rd, 7.40), and Miles & More (Lufthansa, 4th, 7.21). New entrants like MEA Cedar Miles (Middle East Airlines, 6th, 6.37) and LATAM Pass (LATAM Airlines, 7th, 5.83) highlight a competitive field where innovation is key.

Delta’s SkyMiles climbs from tenth to third, propelled by enhancements like the revamped SkyMiles Experiences platform and a new Uber partnership that boosts mileage earnings. Meanwhile, Flying Club from Virgin Atlantic (10th, 5.05) capitalises on British Airways’ misstep—BA’s Executive Club plummeted from 8th to 36th after stricter terms sparked a threefold surge in status-match applications to Virgin.

“Flyers value loyalty schemes that reward rather than restrict,” Quelch notes, pointing to Virgin’s savvy response to market shifts.

Notable Shifts and Stragglers

The study uncovers other intriguing findings. LATAM Pass boasts the highest monthly Google search volume (450,000), reflecting strong traveller interest, while Fortune Wings Club (Hainan Airlines/Hong Kong Airlines), Asia Miles (Cathay Pacific), and MEA Cedar Miles tie for the best lounge reviews (7/10). At the bottom, FlySmiLes from Sri Lankan Airlines scores a dismal zero, hampered by a mere 17 inches of legroom, a 36-month points expiry, and just 37 destinations. Finnair Plus (0.18) and Miles & Go (TAP Air Portugal, 0.53) round out the lowest tier.

What It Means for Business Travellers

For corporate travel managers, these rankings offer a lens into optimizing travel policies. MileagePlus’s versatility suits multinational firms with diverse itineraries, while Asian programs like Eastern Miles and KrisFlyer cater to the region’s booming business hubs. The emphasis on legroom—vital for long-haul comfort—and sustainable expiry policies aligns with employee well-being and cost-efficiency goals. Meanwhile, BA’s tumble serves as a cautionary tale: loyalty schemes must evolve to retain trust.

“It’s clear airlines are upping the ante,” Quelch observes. “From pooled miles to curated experiences, these innovations make flying more memorable for business travellers in 2025.” As companies refine their travel strategies, Good Travel Management’s study is a vital tool—proof that in the skies, loyalty remains a powerful currency.

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