It was a huge year in the premium card category, with two industry heavyweights getting major makeovers and another major competitor joining the fray. Both the American Express Platinum Card® and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) unveiled new slates of benefits in 2025, along with new price tags to match, while Citi…

The credit card landscape has changed meaningfully over the past year, from refreshed premium benefits to expanding transfer partnerships. For the 2026 TPG Awards, the “In Your Wallet” category highlights the 13 credit cards and loyalty ecosystems that delivered the most real-world value to consumers and travelers this past year. In 2025, lounges got more…

Delta Air Lines. JetBlue. American Airlines’ AAdvantage program. Qatar Airways. There were plenty of familiar aviation brands taking home 2026 TPG Awards, with five repeat winners among the eight categories where repeats were possible. We also had some new entrants in this year’s winner circle, including innovative moves by both United Airlines and Alaska Airlines…

One undeniable way that airlines and premium credit cards battle it out to win a slot in your wallet is by creating must-visit airport lounges. And honestly, we’re not the least bit mad about that friendly competition because travelers are the ultimate winners. In the airport, travelers are pretty much a captive audience, and who…

Airport lounge access has become increasingly competitive, and American Express is the latest issuer to announce changes. According to information shared with TPG, the issuer will change its Centurion Lounge access rules beginning July 8. Amex says the updates are intended to help preserve the Centurion Lounge experience by ensuring cardmembers (and their guests) continue…

As you dive deeper into the world of points and miles, you’ll quickly realize that there’s more to upgrades and award redemptions than meets the eye. Sometimes, bookable partner flights don’t appear online, and phone agents may not have the proper training to navigate complex itineraries and partnerships. Fortunately, there are tools that can make…

The world of loyalty rewards is in constant evolution, from the airlines driving loyalty in the skies to the hotel and lifestyle brands rewarding you on the ground. There was a lot going on in the world of points hotels this past year, as was detailed in our recent list of the best new hotels…

The past year has been a big one for cruise fans, with lots of new developments in the cruise space. Here at TPG, we’ve been particularly excited about the rollout of nearly a dozen major new ships from the biggest ocean lines, including MSC World America — the biggest MSC Cruises ship ever to sail…

The TPG Awards are back. For the eighth year, we’re thrilled to recognize the best of the best across the travel industry — including credit cards, loyalty programs, airlines, hotels and cruise lines. This year, we’ve organized the awards into four categories covering the different stages and locales for your travel: planning (“In Your Wallet”),…

Going online to book an airline ticket or hotel stay is a familiar and fairly easy transaction. When you book a cruise, however — particularly your first cruise — you might want to reconsider the impulse to handle the transaction yourself through a cruise line website or an online advertiser with cheap prices. This DIY…