Here's what won Airlines Week at the 2021 TPG Awards
Airlines Week at the 2021 TPG Awards is officially in the books! As we enter the final months of 2021, we took time to reflect on what has been yet another interesting year, but we also looked forward to what the future holds. With the travel industry continuing to rebound from COVID-19, airlines are looking to capitalize on this demand — but only some emerged as winners of a trophy this year.
The last several days have been busy on our site and across our social networks, as we announced winners of our readers' and editors' choice awards and gave away special awards to a worthy organization plus a pair of deserving airline executives. We also hosted two live events and launched some exciting opportunities for engagement on our social media platforms.
And remember that there's still time to contribute to our biggest-ever charity giveaway! Five lucky TPG readers will take home a million Avios each, just for donating to Comic Relief US.
Read more: Enter for a chance to win 1 million Avios by supporting a great cause
Scroll down for more of what you may have missed over this last week.
Monday, Nov. 1
We started with a bang, announcing eight of our readers’ choice award winners, covering the best airlines and best airports. These honorees were selected entirely by TPG readers who completed our ballot — which was open from Sept. 13 through Oct. 15. Our editorial team had zero input in the final list of readers' choice winners (though we certainly had plenty to say once they were announced — more on that later).
Here are this year's award winners:
- Best U.S. Airline Loyalty Program: American AAdvantage.
- Best U.S. Airline Elite Status: American Executive Platinum.
- Best International Airline Loyalty Program: British Airways Executive Club.
- Best Large U.S. Airport: Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
- Best Midsized U.S. Airport: Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL).
- Best Small U.S. Airport: Palm Springs International Airport (PSP).
- Best International Airport: London Heathrow International Airport (LHR).
- Best Domestic Lounge Network: American Admirals Club.
If you're not already following The Points Guy on social media, head over to our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to join the discussion on whether your favorites made the list — or whether TPG readers got it wrong.
Tuesday, Nov. 2
On day two of Airlines Week, we handed out our first editors’ choice award of 2021: best new business-class product. While many international borders remain closed, that hasn’t stopped airlines from looking ahead and investing in their hard (and soft) products. And this year, one in particular stood above the others — JetBlue's Mint Studio, which took to the skies on the carrier's new flights from New York-JFK to London Heathrow and London Gatwick.
Read more: A first look at what it's like flying the JetBlue Mint Studio from London Gatwick
From the spacious seat to the in-flight service (including cocktails mixed at your seat), there's a lot to love about this new product, making it a deserving recipient of this award.
Tuesday was also a busy one on our social media channels, as we looked back on the aviation industry in 2021 on both Instagram and Twitter. And be sure to check out the discussion in our TPG Lounge group on Facebook, where our members peered into their (metaphorical) crystal balls and predicted what the future of the travel industry looks like.
Wednesday, Nov. 3
Our third day brought another editors' choice honor, this one recognizing the airline that took major steps to drive its loyalty program forward. Our award for investment in airline loyalty comes when many carriers are moving away from award charts and making fundamental changes to how travelers earn (and retain) elite status.
However, one airline's program stood tall in this category during 2021 by heading in a positive direction: Air Canada's Aeroplan. From adding new partners — like Etihad and Gulf Air — to becoming a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards and preparing to launch a new cobranded credit card for U.S. residents, Aeroplan had a busy 2021. And as a result, it's poised to be a leader in airline loyalty in 2022 and beyond.
Wednesday also included our first live event of the awards, when senior editor Benét Wilson joined Airlink president and CEO Steven J. Smith on Instagram Live (check out the recording right here). The pair discussed the nonprofit organization’s work in providing humanitarian aid during times of crisis. Airlink played a critical role in the early days of the pandemic, and it continues to deliver rapid-response humanitarian assistance around the world.
You can learn more about the company’s efforts at this link.
Thursday, Nov. 4
On Thursday, we launched the first of our reader stories of the awards. Throughout the themed weeks, we’ll be profiling a handful of readers who enjoyed meaningful travel experiences in 2021 — made possible by travel providers and/or loyalty programs. During Airlines Week, we told the story of two TPG readers who got fantastic service from a pair of airlines.
We also launched our first special honor of the 2021 TPG Awards — the Impact Award, which recognized Miles4Migrants, a company that played a critical role in the Afghanistan crisis. Together with TPG and Lonely Planet, Miles4Migrants raised over $30,000 and over 5.5 million miles, making it one of the organization's most successful campaigns ever.
However, these efforts aren't over yet. Miles4Migrants is working with Welcome.US to secure an additional 1 billion miles to help these Afghan refugees reach their new homes. You can read more about this campaign and contribute at this link.
On top of all this, Thursday saw our first Facebook Live panel discussion of the TPG Awards, as fellow members of the editorial team joined me to dive into the readers’ choice awards. Did we agree with the winners, or were others robbed of the titles they deserved? Check out the full recording of the lively discussion.
Friday, Nov. 5
We wrapped up Airlines Week with a deep dive into airline route maps, which continue to see incredible reshuffling due to the lingering effects of the pandemic. Will we continue to see exciting routes like United’s new flights from Newark (EWR) to Tenerife (TFS) in the Canary Islands? Only time will tell.
Friday also brought our second special award of 2021: the Lifetime Achievement Award. This year, we honored a pair of longtime executives who led their respective airlines through transformational moments — so congratulations to Brad Tilden from Alaska Airlines and Gary Kelly from Southwest Airlines.
Bottom line
We were thrilled to launch our fourth annual TPG Awards with Airlines Week. While things remained virtual for a second straight year, we had a ton of exciting announcements and engaging content as we recognized the best of the airline industry and looked forward to even brighter skies ahead.
Be sure to come back on Monday for Travel Week, as there's a lot more to come here at the 2021 TPG Awards.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.