Every year, we get to celebrate the brands, experiences, cards and loyalty programs that make travel even more exciting and rewarding. And this year, we handed out 38 awards to the top contenders in air, hotel, credit card and cruise categories.
Here are a few of the highlights:
No. 1: Travel Rewards Credit Card of the YearÂ
The $95-a-year Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great starter card, and its points are extra valuable because the program has great transfer partners. Not to mention, you earn 2 points per dollar spent on travel and 3 points per dollar on dining — two categories we all spend a lot in.
No. 2: Business Credit Card of the Year
This year’s winner is the Capital One Venture X Business. I am a cardholder and put a lot of my day-to-day business expenses on it, as it rewards 2 miles per dollar spent on everything and gives me access to Capital One’s beautiful, new lounges. Also, Capital One saved the day recently when my family and I had a delay at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) until 4 a.m. Being able to access the 24-hour Capital One Lounge at off-hours helped make a stressful situation less of a headache.
No. 3: Best U.S. Airline Loyalty ProgramÂ
This year, the data-backed award for best domestic frequent flyer program goes to American Airlines AAdvantage. We analyzed four key areas: each airline’s worldwide reach, how easy it is to earn points or miles from flying and other partners, redemption rates and opportunities, and, finally, the value of each carrier’s elite status program.
No. 4: Best Hotel Elite Status
For this award, there was a clear winner: World of Hyatt Globalist. This program, particularly its top-tier Globalist status, is super generous and a perennial favorite of TPG readers. It offers an array of perks like confirmable suite upgrades, waived resort fees and free parking. You can even gift your status to friends through Hyatt’s Guest of Honor award. Overall, Hyatt Globalist offers a ton of value to frequent travelers.
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The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
