There's a new sheriff in town. Each year, U.S. News & World Report ranks the best travel rewards program. And this year, for the first time, Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan has topped the list of the Best Airline Rewards Programs. Generous elite membership benefits, ease of earning reward travel, and high network coverage boosted the airline in the rankings. American's AAdvantage program, Southwest's Rapid Rewards, JetBlue TrueBlue, and Hawaiian's HawaiianMiles programs rounded out the top five.

On the hotel front, Marriott Rewards was declared the Best Hotel Rewards program for the third year in a row. Marriott earned highest marks for its variety of lodging types and price ranges and ease of earning free nights. Wyndham follows in the number two spot, while Best Western Rewards and Club Carlson tie for third and IHG Rewards Club rounds out the top five. 

Are your preferred mileage programs on the list? Are you surprised?

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