( CNN ) -- Which airline , hotel and rental car rewards programs are worth your while ? With all the mergers and changes in the travel industry , it 's nearly impossible for the occasional traveler to know . The 2014 FlyerTalk Awards highlight companies that still impress the road warriors of the sky . FlyerTalk 's online veterans know the pros and cons of nearly every aspect of travel , including the coveted perks of loyalty programs . That information is especially valuable as many reward programs make it harder to reap their benefits . Delta Air Lines ' plan to award dollars spent rather than miles flown is the latest move in that direction . While there are many industry awards for best travel loyalty programs , `` users of these travel services are better judges of the services than the industry , '' says Brent Conver , general manager of FlyerTalk . Thousands of registered FlyerTalk members nominated their favorite programs in December and voted for the winners , which are being announced Wednesday . Here are their picks for best overall airline , hotel and rental car programs and best specific program benefits around the world . Best overall rewards programs . American Airlines AAdvantage won for top airline affinity program in the Americas , with United Airlines coming in second place . Starwood 's Preferred Guest program edged out Hilton HHonors in the hotel category . And Hertz Gold Plus Rewards took the rental car honors . Frequent travelers want to turn their airline and hotel points into more travel easily . `` People who are big fans of American say they have the best award availability , and they love that Starwood allows its points to be transferred to different airline programs , '' he says . They also love Starwood 's flexibility ( in ) allowing travelers to use a combination of points and cash to book rooms . In the Europe/Africa category , British Airways Executive Club was voted top airline affinity program . Starwood Preferred Guest and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards both came in first place in this region , as well . Hertz -- which collected several FlyerTalk awards -- also spends a lot of time thinking about their elite travelers , and it shows up in their fan base at FlyerTalk , says Conver . In the Middle East/Asia/Oceania region , India 's Jet Airways JetPrivilege was the surprise winner in the airline affinity program , upsetting the winner for the last two years , Cathay Pacific 's Asia Miles . Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces ' InnerCircle took top hotel honors . And no surprise in the rental car category : Hertz swept all three regions with its Gold Plus Rewards . Best travel reward program benefit ( Americas ) FlyerTalk 's American Airlines AAdvantage members love their Executive Platinum member upgrades . Members get eight free one-way upgrades systemwide upon qualification or re-qualification of elite status . In the hotel benefit race , the love that Marriott Rewards members have for the Concierge Lounge dominates . Their club lounges in the United States offer free food and drink and a dedicated concierge . And once again , Hertz Gold Plus Rewards ' Gold service wins in the rental car benefit category . While Gold service is a package of upgrades including faster reservations , a speedy vehicle pick up process and VIP treatment , it 's packaged together and treated as a single benefit . Best travel reward program benefit ( Europe/Africa ) In the airline awards category , British Airways Executive Club members love their Avios upgrades . British Airways uses distance-based award charts , which allows travelers to trade in fewer miles ( called Avios at the airline ) for short trips , says Conver . `` British Airways spends a lot of time working with their elite travelers , and they have a fan base , '' he says . Travelers love their Hilton HHonors Executive lounge access , naming it the best hotel benefit in Europe and Africa . The lounges offer free food and drink , and none of the lounges are exactly alike . Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program wins again in this category for giving members points toward free rentals or exchange for other programs ' miles or points . Best travel reward program benefit ( Middle East/Asia/Oceania ) Members of Jet Airways JetPrivilege say that program 's top perk allows them to pay cash for domestic award ticket upgrades . Hotel guests voted Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces InnerCircle 's room upgrades the top benefit . FlyerTalk members did n't nominate any car rental benefits in this part of the world . Maybe next year ?
Airlines with flexible and available award tickets got top honors from FlyerTalk . Travelers liked hotels with flexible point programs and exclusive lounge access . The FlyerTalk Awards are decided by its thousands of registered members .