Looking back at the things that didn’t exist when TPG started
Editor's Note
When TPG founder Brian Kelly published his first blog post June 7, 2010, Continental Airlines and the original Starwood Hotels were still around. But many other things we take for granted about traveling today didn't exist 15 years ago.
Key developments in the loyalty and travel industries, like issuer-branded airport lounges and most premium credit cards, have all happened since Brian wrote his first-ever story. Let's look at how the travel landscape has changed since TPG started.
6-figure card bonus offers become more common
When: March 2011
When TPG started, credit card bonuses were much smaller and generally fell within the 25,000- to 50,000-point range. That changed in March 2011, when Capital One launched a bonus of up to 110,000 points (it has since changed the currency to miles) on the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card as part of a "Match Your Miles" promotion (no longer available).
The following month, airline credit cards followed when Chase's British Airways Visa Signature® Card launched a 100,000-mile bonus (no longer available). (That program has also changed its currency from miles to Avios.)
Airlines add spending requirements for elite status qualification
When: January 2013
At the beginning of 2013, Delta Air Lines was the first major airline to add a revenue component to qualify for elite status, in addition to miles or segments flown. (We now know this as Medallion Qualification Dollars.) United Airlines followed suit not long after in June 2013. The third major domestic airline, American Airlines, didn't make this change until 2016.
American Express opens its first Centurion Lounge
When: March 2013
On March 19, 2013, American Express opened the first issuer-branded lounge in the U.S. at Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), which was then known as McCarran International Airport. Now, Amex operates Centurion Lounges in 26 airports across the U.S. and in countries like Australia, Mexico, India and Sweden. (There are also plans to expand to airports in Tokyo, Salt Lake City, Newark and Boston by 2027.)
In the 12 years since Amex launched Centurion Lounges, Chase and Capital One have followed suit with their proprietary lounges in airports, mainly in the U.S.
TSA PreCheck starts accepting applications
When: December 2013
Though the Transportation Security Administration has been overseeing security at U.S. airports since 2001, it wasn't until December 2013 that TSA PreCheck formally opened for applications after years of testing. The expedited screening program allows low-risk travelers who pay a membership fee to go through a special, faster screening line at airports without taking off their shoes or removing liquids from carry-ons.
Related: 8 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear
First legacy airline switches to dynamic award pricing
When: February 2015
JetBlue, Virgin America and Southwest Airlines had dynamic award pricing long before TPG existed. But on Feb. 6, 2015, Delta became the first major domestic airline to remove all published award charts from its website, marking a significant move toward dynamic award pricing across the travel industry.
"Travelers must now use Delta's online award search calendar with no frame of reference or other expectation of award travel prices. Apparently, the price is whatever Delta says it is," TPG contributor Jason Steele wrote in March 2015.
Chase Sapphire Reserve joins the credit card landscape
When: August 2016
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) dates back to 2009. But Chase caused waves in the credit card industry when it launched a premium version, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Aug. 23, 2016. The 100,000-point bonus (no longer available), plus perks like a $300 annual travel credit, made the card so popular that Chase ran out of metal cards and saw a 35% increase in new accounts.
Currently, new Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first three months from account opening.
Marriott and Starwood officially merge
When: August 2018
Following a merger approved by shareholders in April 2016, Marriott and Starwood officially became one company Aug. 18, 2018, creating the world's largest hotel company. A few months later, in early 2019, this integration of the Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest programs rebranded as Marriott Bonvoy. Today, 37 brands fall under the Marriott Bonvoy umbrella.
Capital One adds credit card transfer partners
When: December 2018
Chase and Amex had long allowed cardmembers to transfer their rewards to travel partners. But Capital One started doing the same Dec. 10, 2018, when it added the ability to transfer to 15 airlines, including JetBlue and Singapore Airlines, to its Venture and Spark credit cards. In early 2020, Capital One added hotel partners to its transfer program. Now, it has 19 transfer partners.
Related: Ultimate guide to Capital One airline and hotel transfer partners: How to maximize your miles
Bilt Rewards launches
When: June 2021
In mid-2021, the startup Bilt created an all-new transferable rewards currency, along with the Bilt Mastercard®, that allows people to earn points on rent (up to 100,000 points each calendar year; must use your card five times each statement period to earn points) without incurring transaction fees.
The information for the Bilt Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Capital One Venture X Credit Card is introduced
When: November 2021
Toward the end of 2021, Capital One debuted its first premium card, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, with perks like a $300 travel credit to use through Capital One Travel and access to Capital One lounges, the first of which opened at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) the same week.
The Capital One Venture X Business, a premium business card with perks for small-business owners, followed Sept. 12, 2023.
Cruise lines unveil megaships
When: January 2024
Royal Caribbean's 7,600-passenger, 248,663-ton Icon of the Seas took its maiden voyage Jan. 27, 2024. It became the world's largest cruise ship, launching a new era of megaships 6% larger than the previous biggest ships. Royal Caribbean will debut three more Icon Class ships of a similar size over the next three years.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees