Marriott has won two major awards at the Frequent Traveler Awards, held April 28 in New York.

The chain’s Marriott Rewards scheme picked up the award for Hotel Program of the Year in both the Americas and Europe and Africa, although Priority Club by rival chain InterContinental took the Program of the Year in Middle East and Asia/Oceania.

Air Canada’s Aeroplan, Lufthansa’s Miles & More and Emirates’ Skywards were the big winners in the airline Program of the Year category, taking the Americas, Europe and Africa and Middle East and Asia/Oceania respectively.

The 2nd annual Frequent Traveler Awards honored the best in hotel and airline loyalty programs, used by millions of travelers to earn “points” and free stays in return for their loyalty to certain names.

As well as the programs of the year, it highlights programs with particularly good redemption ability — these went to Air Canada Aeroplan, SAS Eurobonus and El Al Matmid Club for airlines, and Hilton HHonors and IHG Priority Club Rewards for hotels.

Credit cards, a popular way of earning extra loyalty points, were also recognized, with Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan Visa winning in the Americas, American Express Membership Rewards in Europe and Africa and Kingfisher Airlines’ American Express First Card in Middle East and Asia/Oceania.

Sources: AFPrelaxnews – Ftawards

The Winners: Frequent Traveler Awards

Program of the Year
The Americas Airline: Air Canada Aeroplan
The Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Europe and Africa Airline: Lufthansa Miles & More
Europe and Africa Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Airline: Emirates Skywards
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Hotel: IHG Priority Club Rewards

Best Promotion for Redemption
The Americas Airline: Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
The Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Europe and Africa Airline: Lufthansa Miles & More
Europe and Africa Hotel: IHG Priority Club Rewards
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Airline: Kingfisher Airlines King Club
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Hotel: IHG Priority Club Rewards

Best Promotion for Earning
The Americas Airline: Air Canada Aeroplan
The Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Europe and Africa Airline: Lufthansa Miles & More
Europe and Africa Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Airline: Emirates Skywards
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Hotel: IHG Priority Club Rewards