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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. We publish editorial content and card reviews to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.

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Copyright © 2026 The Points Guy, LLC. All rights reserved. A Red Ventures company.

This year, we're recognizing the best of the best in credit cards, loyalty programs and beyond.

See the winners

The TPG Awards celebrate the brands and experiences that define exceptional travel—along with the credit cards and loyalty programs that make it all possible. Explore the winners and start mapping out your 2026 adventures.

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. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

The Points Guy 2026 Award Winner

In your wallet

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In your wallet
Premium credit card of the year
American Express Platinum Card®
American Express Platinum Card®
See why
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In your wallet
Travel rewards credit card of the year
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
See why
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In your wallet
Cash-back credit card of the year
Citi Double Cash® Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
See why
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In your wallet
No-annual-fee credit card of the year
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
See why
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In your wallet
Airline credit card of the year
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
See why
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In your wallet
Business credit card of the year
Capital One Venture X Business
Capital One Venture X Business
See why
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In your wallet
Hotel credit card of the year
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
See why
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In your wallet
Best new personal credit card
Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card
Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card
See why
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In your wallet
Best new business credit card
Chase Sapphire Reserve for Businessâ„ 
Chase Sapphire Reserve for Businessâ„ 
See why
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In your wallet
Flexible rewards credit card of the year
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
See why
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In your wallet
Best new transfer partnership
Citi + American Airlines AAdvantage
Citi + American Airlines AAdvantage
See why
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In your wallet
Lounge access credit card of the year
American Express Platinum Card®
American Express Platinum Card®
See why
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In your wallet
Best credit card travel portal
Capital One Travel
Capital One Travel
See why

In the air

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In the air
Best U.S. airline loyalty program
American Airlines AAdvantage
American Airlines AAdvantage
See why
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In the air
Best U.S. airline elite status
American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum
American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum
See why
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In the air
Best U.S. business class
Delta Air Lines Delta One Suite
Delta Air Lines Delta One Suite
See why
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In the air
Best international business class
Qatar Airways Qsuite
Qatar Airways Qsuite
See why
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In the air
Best international first class
Air France La Premiere
Air France La Premiere
See why
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In the air
Best international premium economy
Emirates Premium Economy
Emirates Premium Economy
See why
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In the air
Best U.S. economy cabin
JetBlue
JetBlue
See why
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In the air
Best new credit card lounge
Capital One Lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Capital One Lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
See why
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In the air
Best new U.S. airline lounge
Delta One Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Delta One Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
See why
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In the air
Best credit card lounge network
Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club
Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club
See why
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In the air
Best innovation in route strategy
United Airlines
United Airlines
See why
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In the air
Best innovation in airline loyalty
Atmos Rewards
Atmos Rewards
See why

On the ground

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On the ground
Best hotel loyalty program
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy
See why
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On the ground
Best hotel elite status
World of Hyatt Globalist
World of Hyatt Globalist
See why
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On the ground
Best new or renovated points hotel
Waldorf Astoria New York
Waldorf Astoria New York
See why
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On the ground
Best new outdoor experience on points
Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge
Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge
See why
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On the ground
Best new all-inclusive points hotel
W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive
W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive
See why
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On the ground
Best everyday rewards program
Bilt Rewards
Bilt Rewards
See why

On the water

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On the water
Best new ocean ship
MSC World America
MSC World America
See why
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On the water
Best new river ship
AmaMagdalena
AmaMagdalena
See why
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On the water
Best adults-only cruise line
Viking
Viking
See why
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On the water
Best expedition cruise line
Ponant Explorations
Ponant Explorations
See why
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On the water
Best cruise line overall for families
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean
See why
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On the water
Best cruise line loyalty program
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean
See why
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On the water
Best big-ship itineraries
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises
See why

See why they won

Get a closer look at our 2026 winners, or visit our Instagram for an in-depth view.

Brian's Take On Our 2026 Award Winners
Premium Credit Card of the Year
Best New Credit Card Lounge
Best New or Renovated Points Hotel
Premium Credit Card of the Year
Travel Rewards Credit Card of the Year
Best International Business Class
Best International First Class
Best Innovation in Airline Loyalty
Best New Credit Card Lounge
Best New or Renovated Points Hotel
Best New Outdoor Experience on Points
Best New Outdoor Experience on Points
Best New All-Inclusive Points Hotel
Best New Ocean Ship
Best New Ocean Ship

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Why we're excited

Dive deeper into this year's honorees.

News
These are the winners of the 2026 TPG Awards

Jan. 28 / 7 min read

Cards
New look, new title: Why the refreshed Amex Platinum nabbed this year's 'Top Premium Card' distinction

Jan. 27 / 11 min read

Travel
These are the airlines and frequent flyer programs that won TPG Awards this year

Jan. 27 / 7 min read

Cards
The 13 credit cards that earned a spot 'In Your Wallet' for the 2026 TPG Awards

Jan. 28 / 11 min read

Travel
The best airport lounges from the 2026 TPG Awards — and the top card for gaining access

Jan. 28 / 16 min read

Hotels
These are the best hotels and loyalty programs that won 'On the Ground' TPG Awards this year

Jan. 28 / 8 min read

Cruise
These are the cruise lines, ships and itineraries that won TPG Awards this year

Jan. 27 / 13 min read

Travel
The best business-class winners from the 2026 TPG Awards — and new seats we're excited about

Jan. 27 / 8 min read

Discover a winning card recommendation

We'll curate picks personalized for you and your wallet so you can win at travel in 2026.

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Start planning for 2026

  • Where to go in 2026: The 17 best places to travel

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    View the guide
  • 2026 Travel Trends

    Unpacking all of the trends and uncertain conditions shaping travel for Americans in the year ahead.

    View the guide
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