Airfare Is Expensive. Here’s How to Fight Back.
With fuel prices rising and the affordability crisis squeezing household budgets, airfare savings have never mattered more. The good news? Frequent flyer programs offer real savings — and they’re completely free to join.
WalletHub’s 2026 Best Frequent Flyer Programs report ranked the 10 largest U.S. airlines across 21 metrics, from the value of a point or mile to blackout date policies.
The 2026 Rankings
Alaska Atmos Rewards earns the top spot for the third consecutive year, continuing to outperform the competition on value, flexibility, and redemption options.
Key Findings from the Report
- The average frequent flyer program saves members approximately 7% on airfare
- All programs are free to join
- 5 of the 10 largest airlines are offering more rewards value in 2026 than they did in 2025
- The top 10 airlines are offering 5% more value on average than last year
- Only half of the 10 largest U.S. airlines allow members to earn and redeem miles with partner carriers
- Airline miles cost an average of 2.5x more than they’re worth when purchased rather than earned
The Golden Rule: Earn Miles, Don’t Buy Them
This is the single most important takeaway from WalletHub’s report: never buy airline miles. Miles purchased directly from airlines cost roughly 2.5 times more than their redemption value. It’s one of the worst financial exchanges in the travel rewards world.
Instead, earn miles by:
- Flying with your chosen airline
- Using the airline’s co-branded credit card for everyday purchases
- Shopping through the airline’s rewards portal
- Taking advantage of dining and hotel partner programs
Pairing Your Frequent Flyer Program with the Right Credit Card
The most powerful travel savings strategy combines a frequent flyer membership with a co-branded airline credit card. WalletHub’s editors named the JetBlue Plus Card as the best airline credit card of 2026.
As WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo explains: “Frequent flyer programs are free to join and open to everyone. Pair that with your favorite airline’s credit card, and your travel costs won’t be so high anymore.”
If you don’t fly one airline consistently, a flexible travel card that earns miles on every purchase can be a better fit than a single-airline card. Either way, adding a card should be a deliberate decision — here’s a practical guide to knowing how many credit cards is too many.
Is It Worth It for Occasional Travelers?
Absolutely. Even if you fly just 2-3 times per year, joining your preferred airline’s rewards program costs nothing and could save you $50-$150 per trip depending on ticket prices. Over time, accumulated miles can fund free flights, upgrades, and travel perks that meaningfully reduce your travel expenses.
The key is consistency — always book directly with the airline or via the airline’s portal to earn miles, use your co-branded card for everyday spending, and let the miles accumulate. The same rewards logic applies on the ground, too: the right card can also save you up to 5% at the pump.
Make Every Dollar of Travel Spending Count
At Milestones Motivation & Money, we believe smart financial habits extend to every area of spending — including travel. In a world where prices are rising, maximizing the value you get from every dollar is not just a strategy. It’s a mindset.
Check the full WalletHub 2026 Frequent Flyer Program rankings and use their personalized calculator to find the best program for your travel habits.
