What to expect at the 2021 TPG Awards — starting next week
We're just one week away from the start of the 2021 TPG Awards, and the team is hard at work preparing a variety of content for this year's set of themed weeks. Like 2020, we're keeping things virtual this year — but there's still a lot to come across our site and social media channels as we recognize the travel companies and brands that stood tall this year.
Here's what you can expect starting Monday, Nov. 1.
Sign-up for the TPG daily newsletter so you don't miss out on anything related to the 2021 TPG Awards.
Schedule of themed weeks
As noted above, the awards kick off on Monday, Nov. 1, with the first of our three themed weeks. We've shifted things up a bit this year and consolidated some of our content, so here's what the schedule looks like:
- Airlines Week — Monday, Nov. 1 through Friday, Nov. 5
- Travel Week — Monday, Nov. 8 through Friday, Nov. 12
- Credit Cards Week — Monday, Nov. 15 through Friday, Nov. 19
Our first week will highlight everything related to airlines and airports, while our second week includes hotels, destinations and cruise lines. Then our final week features one of our favorite topics here at TPG — credit cards — just in time for the start of the holiday shopping season.
So ... what will you see during each of these weeks?
Readers' Choice awards
At the beginning of each themed week, we'll launch details on the 23 Readers' Choice honors winners as voted by you, our readers. The ballot was open from Sept. 13 through Oct. 15 and saw a ton of engagement. The awards being doled out this year include our usual categories — like recognizing the best airline and hotel loyalty programs along with the top credit cards. However, we added some new ones this year, including:
- Best U.S. National Park
- Best River Cruise Line
- Best Domestic Airport Lounge Network
Speaking of airports, we're also giving out four brand-new awards to our readers' favorite spots to catch a flight — one each for the best large, midsized and small airports in the U.S. and then another one for the top international gateway.
And without giving too much away, there are some potential surprises to come, so make sure to tune in for this year's award winners.
Related: Recap of the 2020 TPG Awards
Editors' Choice awards
But we're not limiting the honors to reader-selected ones. Our editorial team has also identified a slate of additional awards for deserving brands. Here's a run-down of those trophies we'll be handing out over the next few weeks:
| Themed week | Editors' Choice awards |
|---|---|
Airlines Week | Investment in Airline Loyalty Best New Business-Class Cabin |
Travel Week | Most Welcoming Destination of 2021 Best New Expedition Ship Best New Cruise-Ship Cabin |
Credit Cards Week | Best Credit Card Perk Best New Credit Card Best Refreshed Credit Card Best Transferable Point Currency Best Standalone Credit Card |
Some of these awards created significant debates among team members, so there may not be obvious winners for each. We'll announce these throughout each week, so be sure you're following our site and social media channels for all of the latest updates.
Speaking of which ...
Content on site and social media
In addition to recognizing the award winners each week, our editorial and social media teams will launch a variety of content throughout the week. On the site, this will run the gamut from 2021 recaps to look-ahead industry analyses to reader stories with memorable travel experiences from this year.
And our social team has a ton of fun lined up, like Facebook Live roundtables with our editors to discuss our readers' picks for the awards and walkthroughs of some of our industry favorites.
2021 has had its share of ups and downs for the travel and loyalty industries, but there's a lot to be excited about as we look forward to 2022 (and beyond).
Live virtual events
Finally, just like last year, we're working on a slate of virtual events to launch during each themed week. This may include webinars and Instagram Live sessions — along with a repeat of last year's trivia event during the final week of the awards.
Stay tuned for specific announcements of these events.
Bottom line
There's a lot to look forward to at this year's TPG Awards. If you're not already on our mailing list, be sure to sign up today to stay informed of everything to come. You can also follow The Points Guy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date information on the 2021 awards.
Then, be sure to come back on Monday, Nov. 1 as we kick things off with Airlines Week.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended 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.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month

