Global Traveler magazine, which caters to frequent international business travelers, published the results of its 2023 annual readers’ poll last December. While any poll like this is subject to lots of ballot stuffing by whatever company gets the most organized, it’s still generally a good window into which companies are getting respect. If you want to vote for 2024 winners, go here and fill out a ballot.
Top Airlines for Latin America
On the airline front, even business class travelers have no love for the Big 3 in the USA. Their branded credit cards rate highly and sometimes the lounges rate okay, but the airlines themselves always pale in comparison to their international competitors.
Winning “Best Airline to South and Central America” three years running was LATAM Airlines Group, formed by the merger of LAN and TAM in 2015, followed by Aerolineas Argentinos, Copa, and Avianca.
Winning “Best Airline in Mexico” for the 14th consecutive year was Aeromexico. In all fairness though, they’re the only full-service airline in that country.
“Best Airline in North America” went once again to Air Canada.
“Best Airport in South America” went to El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá, for the sixth year in a row, and Chicago O’hare won that title for North America.
Top Hotels for Latin America
The InterContinental Hotel Group either has a lot of fans or some folks working very hard to get to them. They scored a double on hotels, winning “Best Domestic Hotel Chain” and “Best International Hotel Chain.” They also scored with “Best Hotel Website.”
Andaz Papagayo Costa Rica
Hyatt’s Andaz brand was #2 for “Best Lifestyle Hotel.” Their one in Costa Rica was just joined by a new one in the Mayakoba development in the Riviera Maya of Mexico. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants under IHG was named #3 for Lifestyle hotels and followed the announcement by opening a new Kimpton in Mexico City at the beginning of 2024, with another to come in 2025.
Apparently this magazine’s readers have divided loyalties, however, or travel to different regions where different chains are stronger.
“Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World” and “Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program” went to the IHG Rewards Club from Intercontinental Hotels for their Diamon Elite. (In my personal opinion, they’re the one that gives you the most for your points and makes it easiest to redeem.)
Hilton Honors won “Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program” and Bonvoy Marriott was awarded “Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption” and “Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service.”
What Bag Are You Carrying?
There are plenty of luggage companies out there to choose from, but frequent international business travelers often end up gravitating to the same brand. Briggs & Riley won again for “Best Luggage.” There are two factors that contribute to this: the bags are really hard to destroy and they are part of a very small and elite group offering money-back guarantees for life if the luggage fails.
Finally, in a show of just how popular of a destination that travel to Mexico has become, the country won number 4 Best Tourism Destination in the World
Article by lydia-roma
Associate editor Lydia Carey is a writer and translator based in Mexico City. She is the author of “Mexico City Streets: La Roma,” and gives local tours when she’s not walking her dogs or eating street food.
