The season is in full swing with holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. At TPG, this implies we’re making lists of our high locations to go to and checking them twice.
We’re additionally reflecting on how our bank card methods served us over the previous yr and what adjustments we’ll make in 2026. This contains what advantages and statement credits we missed out on and the way we plan to make use of them sooner or later.
Whereas taking stock of our card-specific perks, some TPG staffers received to serious about the broader loyalty program panorama and what we love — and need we may tweak — about our favourite bank cards and airline and lodge applications.
Right here’s what’s on our workers want record this vacation season.
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2026 bank card want record
Extra factors on groceries and journey
For many of us, groceries are an unavoidable recurring expense.
That is the case for TPG Credit score Playing cards Author Augusta Stone, who “would completely like to see the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) add in-person grocery purchases to its 3-points-per-dollar-spent class (as an alternative of solely on-line).” She’d be keen to pay a $150 annual charge for that (greater than the present $95).
Equally, TPG Journey Author Rachel Craft wish to see extra playing cards supply better-than-standard incomes charges on basic journey purchases like trip leases and parking. She notes that incomes greater than 2 factors per greenback spent on these purchases is more and more necessary — and he or she’d additionally welcome the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) bringing again its former 3-points-per-dollar-spent fee on basic journey.
Extra lounges — and extra versatile lounge entry
On the subject of lounge entry, Augusta is hoping Capital One will develop into the South or Southeast — Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport (ATL) or Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport (CLT) could be her high choose.
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In the meantime, I might personally like to obtain lounge passes on playing cards just like the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card abruptly (as an alternative of receiving two every quarter).
Augusta can also be calling for clearer welcome provides. She finds focused “test your supply” instruments extra irritating than useful and would fairly issuers current one easy, up-front supply as an alternative of a spread candidates could or could not qualify for.
A premium Hyatt card and broader bonus classes
A carryover from final yr’s want record: I’m nonetheless hoping to see a premium World of Hyatt card enter the market. With Hyatt publicly signaling that it plans to expand its cobranded card portfolio subsequent yr, this want feels extra reasonable than ever.
Within the meantime, I’d additionally welcome a richer welcome supply on the prevailing World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) — one thing like a flat 75,000-point bonus fairly than the present “as much as” 60,000-point construction (earn 30,000 factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening; plus, as much as 30,000 extra factors by incomes 2 factors per $1 spent within the first six months from account opening on purchases that usually earn 1 level, on as much as $15,000 spent).
TPG Lead Author Katie Genter, certainly one of our most seasoned vacationers, additionally hopes to see issuers loosen restrictions on bonus classes for purchases made overseas. She’d notably like American Categorical to develop its U.S.-only bonus classes globally.
Associated: Best credit card welcome bonuses
2026 loyalty program and factors and miles want record
Resort loyalty enhancements
Katie would like to see lodge applications supply extra consistency throughout their portfolios.
For instance, even when a Courtyard property within the U.S. serves breakfast, elite members nonetheless can’t select it as a welcome amenity. As an alternative, Platinum Elite members and above obtain both a modest food-and-beverage credit score or a small factors award — a discrepancy she’d wish to see mounted so advantages align throughout manufacturers.
Katie additionally hopes lodge teams will standardize factors incomes and elite evening credit amongst their lower-cost manufacturers. She usually sees equally priced properties — similar to 4 Factors Flex and Moxy — providing very totally different incomes charges, which might make it tougher for vacationers to foretell their rewards and progress towards standing.
Elite standing challenges and promotions
Having accomplished the bold Turkish Airlines Million Mile Challenge this yr, Katie would like to see extra airways introduce inventive status challenges and promotional incomes alternatives for flyers.
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A key switch accomplice we need to hold
On the points-transfer aspect, TPG Senior Author Ben Smithson hopes Citi ThankYou Rewards will proceed to supply American Airways AAdvantage as a switch accomplice all through 2026, given it is a priceless relationship for a lot of vacationers.
A glance again at our 2025 want record
A lot of our workers needs carry over from last year, together with the launch of a premium World of Hyatt card.
That being stated, a few of our needs have come to fruition (or can be launched in early 2026).
A serious switch accomplice we wished for — and received
One of many largest wins arrived July 27, when Citi announced that select cards now allow transfers to American Airlines AAdvantage at as much as a 1:1 ratio. This was a significant milestone for vacationers who depend on AAdvantage miles.
A lodge loyalty improve we requested for — and acquired
On the lodge aspect, Hilton delivered a major improve to its elite construction. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, Hilton Honors members will be capable of qualify for a brand new premium tier: Diamond Reserve. Amongst its headline perks is assured 4 p.m. late checkout, a profit many TPG staffers particularly wished for final yr.
A stronger rewards ecosystem for householders — coming quickly
Lastly, some staffers wished for a premium model of the Bilt card that may supply enhanced perks and improved incomes charges (even when that meant paying an annual charge for stated product).
This led to conversations amongst TPG teammates concerning the lack of a card for householders who need to earn factors on their mortgages, and as soon as once more, Bilt — and/or Santa — delivered. In early February 2026, Bilt will launch Bilt Card 2.0, a set of three new playing cards that can change the present Bilt Mastercard®.
TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor. The data for the Bilt Mastercard has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: Bilt Cash will replace milestone rewards in 2026
Backside line
Whether or not it’s extra rewarding lodge advantages, expanded switch choices or stronger premium card choices, most of the enhancements we hoped for final yr have already began taking form. And if latest developments are any indication, we’re optimistic that much more of our 2026 needs will come true within the yr forward.
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