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 consists of what advantages and assertion credit 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 obtained to eager about the broader loyalty program panorama and what we love — and want we might tweak — about our favourite bank cards and airline and resort applications.
Right here’s what’s on our employees 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 Most popular® Card (see charges and costs) add in-person grocery purchases to its 3-points-per-dollar-spent class (as a substitute of solely on-line).” She’d be prepared to pay a $150 annual charge for that (increased than the present $95).
Equally, TPG Journey Author Rachel Craft want to see extra playing cards provide better-than-standard incomes charges on normal 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 charges and costs) bringing again its former 3-points-per-dollar-spent fee on normal 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 decide.
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In the meantime, I would personally like to obtain lounge passes on playing cards just like the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit score Card (as a substitute of receiving two every quarter).
Augusta can also be calling for clearer welcome affords. She finds focused “verify your provide” instruments extra irritating than useful and would fairly issuers current one easy, up-front provide as a substitute of a variety 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 develop its cobranded card portfolio subsequent yr, this want feels extra sensible than ever.
Within the meantime, I’d additionally welcome a richer welcome provide on the prevailing World of Hyatt Credit score Card (see charges and costs) — 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, considered 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: Greatest bank card welcome bonuses
2026 loyalty program and factors and miles want record
Resort loyalty enhancements
Katie would like to see resort applications provide 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 a substitute, Platinum Elite members and above obtain both a modest food-and-beverage credit score or a small factors award — a discrepancy she’d prefer to see mounted so advantages align throughout manufacturers.
Katie additionally hopes resort teams will standardize factors incomes and elite evening credit amongst their lower-cost manufacturers. She typically sees equally priced properties — equivalent to 4 Factors Flex and Moxy — providing very totally different incomes charges, which may make it tougher for vacationers to foretell their rewards and progress towards standing.
Elite standing challenges and promotions
Having accomplished the bold Turkish Airways Million Mile Problem this yr, Katie would like to see extra airways introduce inventive standing challenges and promotional incomes alternatives for flyers.
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A key switch accomplice we need to hold
On the points-transfer facet, 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 invaluable relationship for a lot of vacationers.
A glance again at our 2025 want record
A lot of our employees needs carry over from final yr, together with the launch of a premium World of Hyatt card.
That being mentioned, a few of our needs have come to fruition (or can be launched in early 2026).
A serious switch accomplice we wished for — and obtained
One of many largest wins arrived July 27, when Citi introduced that choose playing cards now enable transfers to American Airways AAdvantage at as much as a 1:1 ratio. This was a significant milestone for vacationers who depend on AAdvantage miles.
A resort loyalty improve we requested for — and acquired
On the resort facet, Hilton delivered a big improve to its elite construction. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, Hilton Honors members will have the ability to 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 will provide enhanced perks and improved incomes charges (even when that meant paying an annual charge for mentioned product).
This led to conversations amongst TPG teammates in regards to 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 may substitute 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 offered by the cardboard issuer.
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Backside line
Whether or not it’s extra rewarding resort 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 current 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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