Recapping the winners and everything else from Travel Week at the 2021 TPG Awards
Travel Week at the 2021 TPG Awards is officially in the books. After kicking things off with Airlines Week, this week saw us take a deep dive into the broader travel industry, including hotels, destinations and cruising. These segments of the industry faced their own unique challenges in 2021, but there was a lot to celebrate — and a lot to look forward to in 2022.
Once again, we launched a bunch of content across our site and social channels — and we also revealed this year’s award winners — so read on for what you may have missed this week.
Monday Nov. 8
Like last week, we started things off by announcing our readers’ choice award winners. Here again we had two separate articles going live. One covered hotels, destinations and travel; the other focused on cruises.
And the winners were ...
- Best Hotel Loyalty Program: Marriott Bonvoy
- Best Hotel Elite Status: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
- Best U.S. National Park: Grand Canyon
- Best Luggage Brand: Samsonite
- Best Big-Ship Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
- Best Mid-Sized Ship Cruise Line: Disney Cruise Line
- Best Small-Ship Cruise Line: Viking
- Best River Cruise Line: Viking
- Best Cruise Loyalty Program: Royal Caribbean (Crown & Anchor Society)
There was a lot of chatter on our social channels once these were announced, so if you want to weigh in on whether your favorites made the list, be sure to check out The Points Guy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for everything related to these honors.
Tuesday Nov. 9
Day 2 of Travel Week saw the first editors’ choice award of 2021, as we handed out a trophy honoring the best new expedition cruise ship of the year. With the cruise industry back sailing, one line launched a brand-new vessel that completely transforms the passenger experience — Crystal Cruises and its new Endeavor ship.
Speaking of new ships, Tuesday also brought our 2022 look-ahead to the most exciting vessels that are scheduled to take to the waters next year. The fact that the industry was virtually shut down for 15 months didn’t stop lines from moving forward with new ships, so if you’re a cruiser, be sure to check out what's to come.
Wednesday Nov. 10
Another editors’ choice award was given out Wednesday, as our travel team recognized the most welcoming destination of 2021. Countries around the world faced a multitude of challenges with reopening their borders to tourists (as we saw with Hawaii last year). The surge of the delta variant over the summer led some to quickly pivot back to quarantines, but through it all, Greece stood above the rest as one spot that managed to welcome tourists with a blend of open arms and thoughtful measures.
Thursday Nov. 11
Our second-to-last day of Travel Week is a jam-packed one, beginning with our third editors’ choice award of the week, this one recognizing the best new cruise-ship cabin of the year. Lines are continuing to push the envelope with luxury and amenities in their swankiest suites — and this year’s winner tops them all.
The winner? Virgin Voyages Rockstar Massive Suites, the largest staterooms on the line's Scarlet Lady vessel. These opulent cabins blend luxurious amenities with musical touches — including a selection of axes and an amp.
We also handed out a special honor on Thursday: the Making a Difference Award. This year, we recognized the Black Travel Alliance, an organization that’s made incredible strides toward creating a more diverse and equitable travel industry — a mission that’s wholly aligned with us here at TPG.
Thursday also brought our next reader story about a couple who celebrated a year apart by booking a dream trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, and we also highlighted the most exciting new tourist attractions around the world. Finally, we hosted our second Facebook Live of the 2021 awards, where I sat down with some of my colleagues to (once again) discuss the readers’ choice awards. One question was top of mind: Did the TPG audience get things right?
You can check out the full recording right here.
Friday Nov. 12
Travel Week’s final day was another full one — beginning with another special honor: the Empowerment Award. The recipient was Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. The 35-year industry veteran has played a key role in empowering an important (yet historically underrepresented) group in the cruise industry: women. Her efforts included the promotion of Captain Kate McCue — the first American woman to helm a major cruise ship. And female seafarers now account for 27% of Celebrity's bridge officers.
And with travel moving closer and closer to pre-pandemic normalcy, we launched a pair of articles to consider the future of hotel loyalty along with the TPG 20 — our list of the best new hotels that have opened over the last year. If you're looking for a dose of wanderlust, check out that list as you gain some inspiration for your next vacation.
We capped it all off with an exciting live webinar — representing the return of TPG Talks. This series took a temporary hiatus in 2021, but several announcements in recent weeks (namely from Marriott and American) led to its return.
The overarching question we tackled is simple: Are loyalty programs even worth it anymore?
That may seem like a surprising sentiment coming from a site steeped in points-and-miles expertise with thousands of articles extolling the benefits of these programs. But nevertheless, it’s an important topic to consider — so if you missed it, be sure to check out the recording right here.
Bottom line
The first two weeks of the TPG Awards have been busy ones — but we have yet another one to come. Stay tuned for many exciting announcements, content and live sessions next week as we get started with Credit Cards Week.
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.