SkyMiles, the frequent flyer program of Delta Air Lines, is the world's most valuable airline loyalty program, with an estimated value of USD 27 billion.
SINGAPORE, Feb. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SkyMiles, the frequent flyer program of Delta Air Lines, is the world's most valuable airline loyalty program, according to the On Point Loyalty 2023 Top 100 Most Valuable Airline Loyalty Programs report. With an estimated value of more than USD 27 billion, SkyMiles sets a record in the On Point Loyalty ranking. American Airlines' AAdvantage comes in second place at more than USD 23 billion, followed by United Airlines' MileagePlus at over USD 22 billion.
Once the best kept secret of the airline industry, loyalty programs irreversibly stepped onto the center stage of global airline economics during the COVID pandemic, with many airlines banking on their programs for survival. Record-breaking financing structures relied on the profitability and consistency of earnings of airline loyalty programs.
According to Evert de Boer, Managing Partner at On Point Loyalty, "the financial support realized through these programs further strengthened our earlier hypotheses around the value they represent. The valuations we published in early 2020 were corroborated by a number of transactions in the market over the last few years. With COVID largely behind us, now is the time to take stock and reassess the programs' valuations."
On Point Loyalty's research once again examined public information on over 170 airlines around the world, supplemented by proprietary insights to determine an estimated value for each airline's loyalty program. Over 50 variables relating to the airline, loyalty program, and operating country were incorporated into On Point Loyalty's proprietary valuation algorithm.
The research identified the top 10 most valuable airline loyalty programs are as follows:
Rank |
Program |
Key Airline(s) |
Valuation (USD million) |
1 |
SkyMiles |
Delta Air Lines |
27,923 |
2 |
AAdvantage |
American Airlines |
23,933 |
3 |
MileagePlus |
United Airlines |
22,002 |
4 |
Rapid Rewards |
Southwest Airlines |
8,828 |
5 |
Miles & More |
Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, Brussels Airlines |
7,971 |
6 |
IAG Avios programs |
British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling |
7,084 |
7 |
Flying Blue |
Air France, KLM, Kenya Airways, Tarom |
6,923 |
8 |
Aeroplan |
Air Canada |
6,840 |
9 |
SKYPASS |
Korean Air |
4,594 |
10 |
Cathay |
Cathay Pacific |
4,552 |
The full list of top 100 programs is available on the website of On Point Loyalty. For more information on the results, methodology, assumptions and insights in the research, visit www.onpointloyalty.com.
About On Point Loyalty
On Point Loyalty is a global advisory firm focused on loyalty strategy and finance.
In the airline loyalty ecosystem, we partner with leading airlines, technology providers, financial institutions and investors to shape and realize their airline loyalty vision.
With tailormade solutions, ranging from strategy consultancy to outsourced operating models, we help our clients to define the future – and create a competitive edge.
Our suite of Financial Planning & Analysis tools puts insights at the fingertips of program managers, owners and investors.
Related Links
http://www.onpointloyalty.com
