If you’re diving into the world of points and miles, one of the first things you’ll hear about is airline alliances—oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam. Each includes a collection of airlines that let you earn and redeem miles across multiple carriers. Not sure what an alliance actually is or how it works? Start with our beginner’s guide to airline alliances.
If you haven’t already done so, the next step is picking a program within each alliance that is the smartest one to focus on. Here’s our take on the most useful programs in each alliance—based on redemption value, award availability, partner network access, and how easy it is to earn miles.
oneworld: Focus on American Airlines AAdvantage (or British Airways Executive Club)
- Why it’s worth learning: American Airlines AAdvantage offers decent partner award availability and access to top-tier airlines like Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, and Qantas. It’s one of the easier programs to understand among U.S. carriers.
- Best for redemptions on: Qatar Qsuites, Cathay Pacific business class, and short domestic flights on American (for fewer miles than cash prices sometimes).
- Partners you can use miles on: 13 Oneworld carriers, including Iberia, Finnair, Royal Jordanian, etc.
- How to earn: You can earn AAdvantage miles by flying American and its partners, or spending on co-branded credit cards from Citi or Barclays. AAdvantage was previously a Bilt transfer partner, but that partnership ended in June 2024.
- Runner-up: British Airways Avios – Ideal for short-haul flights and redemptions on partner airlines such as Iberia, Qatar Airways, and Aer Lingus. Avios are also transferable from American Express, Chase, Capital One, Bilt, and more. One downside: British Airways adds taxes and fuel surcharges to award tickets, which can make some redemptions less appealing.
- What about Alaska? If this were just about redemption value, I’d pick Alaska Mileage Plan—hands down. It offers some of the best sweet spots in the entire alliance, particularly for international premium cabins on partners such as Japan Airlines, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific. But here’s the catch: Alaska miles are tough to earn unless you’re flying Alaska regularly or holding one of their co-branded cards. They also don’t partner with major transferable points programs, except for Bilt Rewards. This makes them less practical for beginners just starting to stockpile flexible points.
Star Alliance: Learn Aeroplan (Air Canada)
- Why it’s worth learning: Aeroplan is one of the most versatile programs out there. You can mix and match Star Alliance redemptions and book flights on non-alliance partners, such as Etihad, Oman Air, and Emirates.
- Best for redemptions on: Lufthansa First Class (booked close to departure), EVA Air business class, Singapore Airlines business (on select routes), and creative multi-stop itineraries.
- Stopovers: Aeroplan lets you add a stopover of more than 24 hours to a one-way award ticket for just 5,000 additional miles. That’s a great way to see two destinations for barely more than the cost of one.
- No fuel surcharges: Unlike some other frequent flyer programs, Aeroplan does not pass on fuel surcharges on award tickets. That can save you hundreds of dollars, especially on international business or first class redemptions.
- Partners you can use miles on: Over 45 airlines including United, Lufthansa, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, ANA, and Singapore Airlines. See our full breakdown here.
- How to earn: Aeroplan points are easy to accumulate with Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One, Bilt Rewards, and Aeroplan co-branded credit cards from Chase.
SkyTeam: Learn Air France/KLM Flying Blue
- Why it’s worth learning: Flying Blue has monthly Promo Rewards, decent U.S. partner availability, and more transparency than most SkyTeam programs. It also offers one-way awards and low surcharges on many routes.
- Best for redemptions on: Air France and KLM business class, Delta to Europe, and Promo Rewards that start at 15,000 miles one-way.
- Partners you can use miles on: All 19 SkyTeam members, including Delta, Korean Air, and China Airlines.
- How to earn: Flying Blue miles are easy to accumulate from all major transferable currencies, including American Express, Chase, Citi, Capital One, and Bilt. Also available via Air France and KLM co-branded credit cards.
- What about Virgin Atlantic? While technically not a full SkyTeam member until 2023, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is now part of the alliance, and it brings some strong advantages. It’s a transfer partner of every major bank program, so points are incredibly easy to earn. There are also a few excellent sweet spots, like ANA First Class (when available) or Delta One to Europe. It can be especially useful if you’re flying to or through the UK, as it opens up award options on Virgin’s own routes and partner redemptions within the SkyTeam network.
Final Thought
You don’t need to learn every airline program to travel well on points. Start by picking one in each alliance that’s easy to earn miles with and offers flexible redemption options. For most U.S. travelers, that means AAdvantage, Aeroplan, and Flying Blue. Master those three, and you’ll unlock the majority of the world, often in business class, for a fraction of what you’d pay in cash.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
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