TPG to start awarding seals of approval to our top-reviewed hotels
Here at The Points Guy, we strive to provide detailed guidance on how to be a better, smarter traveler — without spending a fortune. Our advice runs the gamut from useful tips on maximizing loyalty programs to suggestions on how to make the most of your first cruise. And a large part of our content focuses on airline, hotel and credit card reviews.
Today, we're excited to announce a new initiative to help make it easier for our readers to decide whether a particular hotel we've reviewed is right for their next trip.
You'll soon begin to see two different seals appear on some of the hotel reviews we've already published as well as some future reviews: TPG Top Pick and TPG Recommended.
Either of these designations means our editorial staff has given the individual property a stamp of approval. However, the "Top Pick" seal will be reserved for only the best of the best.
Here's some more information on each seal and the methodology we use to classify them.
"TPG Recommended" hotels
After a TPG writer submits a review, they are asked to complete a short survey about the stay that's submitted to the leadership team. Initially, there are three, simple questions:
- Was the price you paid (in points or dollars) a good value for the property?
- Did you experience any major issues during your stay?
- Would you recommend that a reader stay at this property?
If the answers to these questions are yes, no and yes (in that order), the property is flagged as a candidate for the "TPG Recommended" designation — then reviewed and approved by editorial leadership.
When you see this seal on a review, you can book with confidence, knowing that you can expect a solid stay that meets the expectations of a typical TPG reader.
"TPG Top Pick" hotels
In some cases, simply "recommending" a hotel isn't enough. What if the property was so over-the-top outstanding that it deserves a higher classification?
If a writer believes a hotel is worthy of the "TPG Top Pick" classification after a review stay, the above survey continues with the following questions:
- Would you recommend that readers go out of their way to stay at this property?
- Do any of the following apply to this property? (Select all that apply.)
- It is a destination in and of itself.
- You would pay a premium to stay there over similar properties.
- It offered a truly unique experience.
- There was something else special or memorable about the property.
- Please write a one-paragraph summary of why you feel this property is deserving of a "TPG Top Pick" seal.
Once again, these answers are reviewed by the editorial leadership team — and here, we're truly looking for those top-notch hotels and resorts for which you might plan an entire vacation around.
This isn't just about luxury, nor is it solely about value for your points and miles (though both of those are a part of it). Instead, our Top Picks are places that we would recommend to anyone we know — and to which we'd want to return time and time again.
Examples of these seals
To show this process in action, let's take a look at a pair of recent reviews we published.
First, let's consider The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, which TPG's Summer Hull visited earlier in the year. Overall, she had a solid stay — the location is terrific, and during ski season, it can be a fantastic value for redeeming Marriott points. She also had a noteworthy meal at Sakaba, one of the on-site restaurants.
Read more: How to plan your ski trip with points and miles
However, there were many amenities on pause due to the pandemic, and she noted that the property was showing a bit of wear and tear. In addition, the $50 daily resort fee (notably not waived on award stays) and $60 overnight parking fee can add up.
Verdict: TPG Recommended
Now let's look at Hyatt's Ventana Big Sur, a luxury resort reviewed by TPG's Zach Griff. Unlike a "standard" property that's part of a major loyalty program, Ventana Big Sur has a lot of exceptional features:
- It's all-inclusive — complete with delicious meals, a selection of drinks and many resort activities and amenities.
- It's a fantastic deal on points, with room rates that typically start around $2,000 per night — or just 30,000 points.
- The property is located in a gorgeous setting -- the coastal redwood forests of California.
- The rooms are luxuriously appointed, all with private decks and many of them with features like fireplaces or private jacuzzi tubs.
Put simply, this is not your run-of-the-mill property. It is truly world-class — and the seal it's earned reflects that very uniqueness.
Verdict: TPG Top Pick
Important notes
There are a few final notes to accompany this new approach to recognizing the hotels we review.
These only apply to hotels that are fully paid for by TPG
Here at TPG, our editorial policy allows us to accept free or discounted travel in very select circumstances — when an airline is launching a new aircraft type and seats are limited to media, or when we have the chance for a sneak peek at a renovated hotel (as examples). However, we will indicate this with an editor's note at the top of the article.
Along these lines, a hotel that provided a free or discounted stay is not eligible for either seal based on that write up. The only properties that can earn a "Top Pick" or "Recommended" designation are those for which we write a full review after a stay where the hotel didn't know we were coming.
For example, TPG's executive editorial director Scott Mayerowitz was recently able to check out Hammetts Hotel, one of the newest in Newport, Rhode Island. The property offered a complimentary stay, so even though Scott wrote up his experience (and loved it), the property is not eligible for a seal.
These seals are not for sale
On a related note, a property can't offer to "purchase" a seal from The Points Guy. An interested hotel or resort can send us an email expressing interest, but it's ultimately up to our editorial team as to whether it makes sense for us to review the property. And if we do decide to review it, no one at the hotel will be informed ahead of time, ensuring that our writer won't receive special treatment.
Note that a hotel will have the opportunity to pay to license the seal (and use it on its marketing materials) once it's live. However, that purchase will happen after a review has been published.
We're going back through 2019
The pandemic had a major impact on global travel, and here at The Points Guy, we paused most review travel in 2020. Given that readers (and our own writers) were unable to check out many of the properties we reviewed in the year prior to the pandemic, we'll be going back and adding seals to any deserving locations starting Jan. 1, 2019.
These will be labeled as "TPG Recommended 2021" or "TPG Top Pick 2021" — though moving forward, the year of the seal will correspond to when the review publishes.
Bottom line
We're very excited to launch this new initiative as we provide more clarity on the specific hotels you should consider leading up to your next trip. If you see a review with the "TPG Recommended" designation, you can book with confidence, knowing that you should have a great stay.
However, if you see a property with the coveted "TPG Top Pick" seal, you may want to go out of your way to book there — as we feel it'll offer you an absolutely phenomenal experience.
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.