Travel platform “the Points Guy” held its sixth annual awards in New York City, recognising 22 award recipients were acknowledged for their innovation in credit cards, airlines, hotels, cruises, and general travel.
The winners were determined through a formula that incorporated input from TPG readers, TPG editors, and an external panel of travel experts.
New award categories introduced this year included “Best Destination in a TV Show/Film,” awarded to Sicily, Italy for its appearance in “The White Lotus,” and “Best New Travel Service,” which went to Roame, a travel reward search tool.
The Changemaker Category highlighted the impact of travel on the world, with awards given to World Central Kitchen for their continuous support during disasters and the Make-a-Wish Foundation for bringing travel dreams to critically ill children.
Jeff Jenkins, known for his show “Never Say Never” that promotes body positivity in travel, was named “Travel Influencer of the Year,” and Vivian Tu received the “Next Gen Influencer of the Year” award for teaching financial literacy in a fun and accessible manner. The winners of the 2023 travel awards from the Points Guy are:
- Affordable Hotel Brand: Moxy
- Airline Co-Branded Credit Card: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
- Airport Rideshare Experience, Presented by Uber: LaGuardia Airport
- Airport Transformation – Kansas City International
- Business Class: Qatar Airways Qsuite
- Business Credit Card: American Express Business Gold Card
- Changemakers
- Consumer-Focused Collaboration: Bilt Rewards Rent Day collaboration
- Cruise Line For Adults: Virgin Voyages
- Cruise line that’s reinventing the industry: Virgin Voyages
- Destination In A TV Show/Film: “The White Lotus” — Sicily
- Economy Class (US Only): JetBlue
- Family Cruise Line: Disney Cruise Line
- First Class: Emirates — Boeing 777 Game Changer
- Going all-in on all-inclusives
- Hero Award, Presented by Capital One: World Central Kitchen
- Historical Preservation: Notre Dame Cathedral — Paris
- Hotel Co-Branded Credit Card: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Hotel Elite Status: Hyatt Globalist
- Hotel Loyalty Program: World of Hyatt
- Impact Award, Presented by Wells Fargo: Make-A-Wish
- Luxury Cruise Line: Silversea Cruises
- Luxury Hotel Brand: Four Seasons
- New Cruise Ship: Oceania Cruises’ Vista
- New Travel Service: Roame
- Next Gen Influencer Of The Year: Vivian Tu
- No-Annual-Fee Credit Card: Bilt Mastercard
- Premium Credit Card: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Premium Economy Class: Emirates
- Simplicity in Loyalty – Expedia One Key, sponsored by Expedia
- Tech Making Travel Better – Apple
- Travel Influencer Of The Year: Jeff Jenkins
- Travel Power Couple: Global Entry + TSA PreCheck/Clear Plus
- Travel Rewards Credit Card: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- US Airline Loyalty Program: American Airlines AAdvantage
