Major aviation companies cited as victors in the 2023 TPG Awards: Hyatt, American Airlines, JetBlue, Emirates, and Qatar Airways secure top honors.

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The biggest and brightest TPG Awards are here! We celebrated the airlines, hotels, and loyalty programs that our readers and staff adored most this year.

With 56 million unique visitors so far this year, and over a million newsletter subscribers and Instagram followers, The Points Guy (TPG) had plenty to celebrate. But it wasn't just about us. The TPG Awards highlight the travel industry as a whole, showcasing trends, travel products, and services that help travelers navigate the world.

This year, a new methodology was introduced, combining the voices of TPG readers, editors, and external travel experts into one unified list of award winners across 22 voting-eligible categories.

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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.

Highlights from this year's TPG Awards include:

Best First Class

In the world of ultraluxury products, you can't beat Emirates' game-changing first-class cabin on its Boeing 777s. That's why it took home top honors for Best First Class.

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.

Best Business Class

TPG staff love business-class cabins, especially when booked with airline miles. This year, Qatar Airways' Qsuite took the prize for Best Business Class.

Best Premium Economy Class

Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.

Emirates also won Best Premium Economy Class this year.

Best Economy Class (US Only)

JetBlue won Best Economy Class (U.S. Only) again, having claimed the title four official times. In fact, JetBlue has won this category every year it's been handed out.

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Best US Airline Loyalty Program

American Airlines AAdvantage knocked reigning champion Delta SkyMiles out of the top spot to claim the award for Best U.S. Airline Loyalty Program.

More travel treats in store

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Despite Delta Air Lines leading early voting results, it began to fade after announcing drastic changes to its program, which elicited an outcry from many of its elite Medallion members. As the voting shifted, American Airlines' program emerged victorious, taking the top spot for only the second time since the TPG Awards debuted in 2018. The program's previous win was in 2021.

Best Hotel Loyalty Program

After a few victories for Marriott Bonvoy, Hyatt World of Hyatt won for the first time, taking home the award for Best Hotel Loyalty Program. Hyatt also won Best Hotel Elite Status, with Hyatt Globalist elite status taking the big honors.

Best Travel Rewards Credit Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card won Best Travel Rewards Credit Card for the sixth straight year, making it the only credit card to win its category every single year since the TPG Awards began.

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.

Best Airline Cobranded Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card takes the prize as Best Airline Cobranded Credit Card, with benefits that appeal to many travelers.

Best Premium Credit Card

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.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card won the award for Best Premium Credit Card, with a growing network of high-quality lounges and simple yet rewarding perks.

Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Card

The Bilt Mastercard repeated its win in the Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Card category, having taken the top prize beginning in 2022.

Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.

Best Travel Rewards Credit Card: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Best Premium Credit Card: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Best Business Credit Card: American Express® Business Gold Card
Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Card: Bilt Mastercard
Best Airline Cobranded Credit Card: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Best Hotel Cobranded Credit Card: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Best U.S. Airline Loyalty Program: American Airlines AAdvantage
Best First Class: Emirates
Best Business Class: Qatar Airways
Best Premium Economy Class: Emirates
Best Economy Class (U.S. Only): JetBlue
Best Hotel Loyalty Program: Hyatt World of Hyatt

2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.

Outside of the voted awards, TPG also recognized travel's positive impact on the world and those making waves with its Changemaker Awards and Spotlight Moments.

Impact Award: Make-A-Wish Foundation

Make-A-Wish received the Impact Award presented by Wells Fargo for granting wishes and happy surprises to children and their families facing critical illnesses.

Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

In collaboration with partners, TPG hosted the "Best Flight Ever" earlier in 2023, taking 26 Make-A-Wish children and their families on a special chartered American Airlines flight to Orlando, where they spent a week visiting Walt Disney World Resort and popular Orlando theme parks.

Hero Award: José Andrés' World Central Kitchen

José Andrés' World Central Kitchen was recognized with the Hero Award presented by Capital One for its tireless support of people living in areas affected by disasters and conflict.

Next Gen Influencer of the Year: Vivian Tu
Travel Influencer of the Year: Jeff Jenkins
Hero Award presented by Capital One: José Andrés' World Central Kitchen
Spotlight Moment: Consumer Focused Collaboration: Bilt Rewards Rent Day Collaboration
Spotlight Moment: Most Improved Airport Ride-Hailing Experience, sponsored by Uber: LaGuardia Airport
Spotlight Moment in Lodging: All-In on All-Inclusives
Spotlight Moment in Cruise: Cruise Line Reinventing the Industry: Virgin Voyages
Spotlight Moment in Travel: Historical Preservation: Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral
Spotlight on Simplicity in Loyalty: Expedia One Key
Spotlight Moment: Tech Making Travel Better: Apple
Spotlight Moment: Airport Transformation: Kansas City International Airport

The TPG Awards event featured interactive lounges, photo booths, and immersive activations sponsored by American Express, Expedia Group, Capital One, Wells Fargo, Marriott Bonvoy, Lonely Planet, the Croatian National Tourist Board, and Tuscany Tourism Promotion.

For more travel tips and top card offers, head to TPG's guides.

Related reading:

Travel Tips for Beginners and Experts Alike
The Best Travel Credit Cards
The 16 Best Places to Travel in 2024
6 Travel Strategies When Your Flight is Canceled or Delayed
Top Credit Cards for General Travel Purchases
9 Essential Travel Items Our Team Can't Live Without

Disclosure: Bilt Mastercard rates and fees, as well as rewards and benefits, may apply. See the appropriate links for further details.

Credit Cards

American Express® Gold Card

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Rewards Rate:
- 4X points per dollar spent on dining worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1X points)
- 4X points per dollar spent on U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1X points)
- 3X points on airfare booked directly or through amextravel
- 2X points on eligible prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
Annual Fee: $325
Bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Terms and limitations apply. Learn more about the American Express® Gold Card.

The TPG Awards, a celebration of the travel industry, honors airlines, hotels, and loyalty programs that received the most adoration from readers and staff this year.
With 56 million unique visitors and over a million newsletter subscribers and Instagram followers, The Points Guy (TPG) had much to celebrate, yet the Awards highlight the travel industry as a whole.
Emirates' first-class cabin on its Boeing 777s won for Best First Class in this year's TPG Awards, showcasing the world's best ultraluxury products.
Qatar Airways' Qsuite took the prize for Best Business Class in the TPG Awards, appealing to TPG staff who appreciate business-class cabins, especially when booked with airline miles.
In the Best Business Credit Card category, the American Express® Business Gold Card was recognized for its rewards and benefits that cater to travelers.
The Bilt Mastercard repeated its win in the Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Card category, having taken the top prize beginning in 2022.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card won for Best Airline Cobranded Credit Card, with benefits that appeal to many travelers.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card won Best Travel Rewards Credit Card for the sixth straight year, making it the only credit card to win its category every single year since the TPG Awards began.