Global Traveler announces 10th annual GT Tested Reader Survey Awards

YARDLEY, Pennsylvania – The results are in! For the 10th consecutive year, Global Traveler conducted its GT Tested Reader Survey, asking frequent business and luxury travelers to name the best in a variety of travel-related categories. More than 22,000 people responded. Global Traveler’s inaugural awards were celebrated in 2004.

Over the past 10 years, the survey has grown to honor more travel-related categories, including airlines, hotels, loyalty programs and travel-related products in 71 categories. GT’s distinguished readers vote for their favorites in the world of travel in an open-ended survey running in the magazine and online from January to August each year. The results of the survey are announced in the December 2013 issue, available now.

GT readers are frequent premium travelers averaging 16 international and 16 domestic round-trip flights a year, with an average household income of $368,900 per year. Global Traveler’s elite readers spend an average 100 nights per year in hotels. A whopping 76 percent regularly travel in business class.

This year’s roster of highly regarded winners includes Singapore Airlines (Best Airline in the World), oneworld (Best Airline Alliance), Etihad Airways (Best Airline for International First Class and Best Airport Lounges) and Turkish Airlines (Best Airline for New Service Launch and Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents). Other top winners are Aeromexico (Best Airline in Mexico), China Airlines (Best Airline in North Asia), The Ritz-Carlton (Best International Hotel Chain, Best Domestic Hotel Chain, Best Hotel Club Floor and Best European Hotel Chain), Sheraton Hotels Resorts (Best Hotel Chain in Latin America), Ireland (Best Tourism Destination) and United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase (Best Credit Card and Best Credit Card Rewards Program).

Global Traveler’s consistent, unbiased reporting for the past 10 years ranks the GT Tested Reader Survey awards among the most highly regarded in the industry.

“This is an exciting time, as we celebrate our 10th awards survey and prepare to celebrate our 10th year of publishing Global Traveler, the industry leader in our niche,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler. “Our readers are truly experienced, intrepid travelers who know the best of the best in the business. Our GT Tested Reader Survey awards celebrate those illustrious chosen providers. Many of these companies appear year after year on our survey, proving that consistency matters. Congratulations to the stars of the travel industry; we look forward to celebrating another decade of excellence.”

This year’s winners will be feted at a cocktail reception Dec. 10 at award-winning The Peninsula Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, Calif. For more information, check out the December 2013 issue of Global Traveler or visit our website at www.globaltravelerusa.com. A complete recap of the night’s festivities will be featured in the March 2014 issue.

A complete list of winners is as follows:

Best Airline in the World

Singapore Airlines

Best Airline Alliance

Oneworld

Best Aircraft Type

Boeing 777

Best Airline for International First Class

Etihad Airways

Best Airline for Business Class

Qatar Airways

Best Airline for Domestic First Class

Delta Air Lines

Best Airline for Onboard Service

Asiana Airlines

Best Airline for Flight Attendants

Asiana Airlines

Best Flight Attendant Uniforms

Korean Air

Best Airline Cuisine

Alitalia

Best Airline for Security

EL AL Israel Airlines

Best Business-Class Seat Design

Qatar Airways

Best First-Class Seat Design

Emirates

Best Airline for New Service Launch

Turkish Airlines (IAH)

Best Frequent-Flyer Program

United MileagePlus

Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program

Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles Pualani Platinum Membership

Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program

United MileagePlus

Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption

LifeMiles

Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service, Americas

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

Best Airline in North America

Air Canada

Best Airline in Central/South America

Avianca

Best Airline in Mexico

Aeromexico

Best Airline to Australia and New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Best Airline in the South Pacific

Fiji Airways

Best Airline in Europe

TAP Portugal

Best Airline in Eastern Europe

LOT Polish Airlines

Best Airline in Africa

South African Airways

Best Airline in the Middle East

Emirates

Best Airline in North Asia

China Airlines

Best Airline in Southeast Asia

Singapore Airlines

Best Airline in China

Hainan Airlines

Best Airline in Central/South Asia and India

Jet Airways

Best Airline to Japan

Japan Airlines

Best Trans-Atlantic Airline

Brussels Airlines

Best Trans-Pacific Airline

Korean Air

Best Airport in the World

Incheon Airport

Best Airport in North America

Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Best Airport Lounges

Etihad Airways

Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents

Turkish Airlines

Best Airport Dining

Singapore Changi Airport

Best Duty-Free Shops

Dubai Duty Free

Best Hotel in the World

The Address Downtown Dubai

Best International Hotel Chain

The Ritz-Carlton

Best Domestic Hotel Chain

The Ritz-Carlton

Best Lifestyle Hotel

Andaz

Best Airport Hotel

Hyatt Regency Incheon

Best Golf Resort

The Resort at Pelican Hill

Best M.I.C.E. Hotel

China World Hotel, Beijing

Best Hotel Club Floor

The Ritz-Carlton Club Level

Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World

IHG Rewards Club

Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program

Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite

Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption

Choice Privileges

Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service, Americas

Hilton HHonors

Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program

IHG Rewards Club

Best WiFi Service

Boingo Wireless

Best Hotel in the United States

The Peninsula Beverly Hills

Best European Hotel Chain

The Ritz-Carlton

Best Hotel Chain in Asia

Taj Hotels, Resorts Palaces

Best Hotel in Korea

Lotte Hotel

Best Hotel Chain in Latin America

Sheraton Hotels Resorts

Best Hotel Chain in Mexico

Fiesta Americana

Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East

Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts

Address Hotels + Resorts

Best Overseas Delivery Program

Volvo

Best Car Rental Company

National Car Rental

Best Tourism Destination

Ireland

Best M.I.C.E. City

Seoul

Best Wireless Service in the World

Verizon Wireless

Best Noise-Canceling Headset

Sennheiser

Best Luggage Brand

Briggs Riley Travelware

Best Credit Card

United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase

Best Credit Card Rewards Program

United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card

Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card from Chase

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions

Starwood Preferred Guest American Express

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits

IHG Rewards Club Select Visa

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions

Choice Privileges Visa Signature

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions

Delta SkyMiles by American Express

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits

Citi Platinum Select / AAdvantage Visa Signature Card

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions

United MileagePlus Explorer Card from Chase

Global Traveler will also recognize the following Wines on the Wing award winners at the reception: Brussels Airlines (Best Business-Class Wines on the Wing, Best Champagne International Business Class), British Airways (Best First-Class Wines on the Wing), Hainan Airlines (Best Champagne International First Class, Best Red Wine International First and International Business Classes), All Nippon Airways (Best White Wine International Business Class), Jet Airways (Best White Wine International First Class), SkyTeam (Best Alliance Wines on the Wing), Delta Air Lines (Best North American Wines on the Wing, Best North American White Wine), American Airlines (Best North American Sparkling Wine) and Virgin America (Best North American Red Wine). The results of the Wines on the Wing airline wine survey were announced in the August 2013 issue.

Global Traveler conducted an open-ended survey of its readers to determine the best in more than 70 travel-related categories. The survey was conducted from Jan. 1, 2013 to Aug. 31, 2013. Questionnaires were available in subscriber copies of the magazine, online at www.globaltravelerusa.com/awards-survey-ballot and through direct mail and email. Only questionnaires with more than 50 percent of the questions answered were considered. An outside accounting firm, Citrin Cooperman LLP, tabulated the results. Employees of the magazine and members of the travel industry were barred from participation.

Global Traveler, the only ABC-audited U.S.-based magazine for the international business traveler, is a business travel and lifestyle publication with an ABC-paid circulation of 109,000+. FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler, eFlyer USA; eFlyer Asia and several annuals; and also operating www.globaltravelerusa.com , www.globaltravellerasia.com and globaltravelerusa.com/blog .

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Global Traveler announces 10th annual GT Tested Reader Survey Awards