SmarterTravel Announces 2011 Editors' Choice Award Winners

BOSTON, May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- SmarterTravel®, one of the largest online travel resources of unbiased travel deal reporting for the budget-conscious, today announced the results of its annual Editors' Choice Awards. The travel editors' 2011 picks include the best airlines, perks, reward/loyalty programs, and rewards cards, among others.

JetBlue and Southwest received the most recognition, with three and two awards respectively. JetBlue took top honors for Most Customer-Friendly Airline, Best Coach-Class Experience and Best Value Airline-Domestic. Southwest won for Best Free Airline Perk (two free checked bags) and Best New Frequent Flier Development (relaunch of its Rapid Rewards program).

"This year, in each of our 10 categories, we awarded travel providers that made focusing on the consumer a priority," said Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel. "With the struggles that the travel industry has faced over the past few years, it's important to acknowledge any sincere effort to improve the customer experience, especially in this new era of travel fees and added hassles.  Travelers have woken up and are much savvier today than they were even five years ago – and it looks like the industry is finally opening its eyes."

More winners from the 2011 SmarterTravel Editors' Choice Awards include:

• Best Value Airline – International

        Winner: US Airways

• Best Hotel Loyalty Program

        Winner: InterContinental Hotel's Priority Club Rewards

• Best Rental Car Loyalty Program

        Winner: National Car Rental's Emerald Club

• Best Travel Rewards Card

        Winner: Starwood Preferred Guest from American Express

• Best Paid Airline Perk

        Winner: Day-of-Flight Upgrades on Virgin America

See the full list for more details.  

SmarterTravel® is an online travel resource of unbiased travel deal reporting for the budget-conscious traveler.  SmarterTravel has an unbiased team of travel experts who analyze travel deals and offer money-saving strategies and travel tips. For more information and travel advice, visit http://www.smartertravel.com.

SmarterTravel is a division of Smarter Travel Media LLC.   Smarter Travel Media operates http://www.airfarewatchdog.com, http://www.bookingbuddy.com, http://www.frequentflier.com, http://www.onetime.com, http://www.sniqueaway.com,  http://www.smartertravel.com, and sites in the U.K.

SmarterTravel and the SmarterTravel logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Smarter Travel Media LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2011 Smarter Travel Media LLC.  All rights reserved.

SOURCE SmarterTravel