TPG Staff Holiday Wish List: More Points, Expanded Lounges and Better Elite Perks for Smart Travelers in 2025
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!- The TPG staff holiday wish list highlights key upgrades for travelers in 2026, emphasizing points, lounges, and elite perks.
- Expect enhancements in loyalty programs, especially for luxury and business travelers.
- Understanding industry insider priorities can help you travel smarter.
- These trends could lead to more enjoyable travel experiences in 2025 and beyond.
- Learn to optimize your own rewards and loyalty strategies using this wish list.
Table of Contents
- What Is the TPG Staff Holiday Wish List and Why Should You Care?
- Best TPG Staff Holiday Wish List Items for Smart Travelers in 2025
- How to Plan This Travel Upgrade Journey the Smart Way
- HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for Thinking Like a Travel Insider
- FAQ: TPG Staff Holiday Wish List — More Points, Expanded Lounges and Better Elite Perks
What Is the TPG Staff Holiday Wish List and Why Should You Care?
Each December, the team at The Points Guy (TPG) publishes a staff-wide wish list of travel perks they hope to see improved — or finally introduced — in the coming year. Think of it as a peek inside the minds of professionals who live and breathe award flights, airport lounges, and loyalty program fine print.
So, why should real-world travelers care?
Because this annual list isn’t based on fantasy. In fact, several past wishes — like Amex expanding Centurion Lounge access and airline programs simplifying elite qualification — already became reality. As such, the TPG staff holiday wish list: more points, expanded lounges and better elite perks, acts as a reliable barometer for what’s next in points and perks travel.
You can read the full 2025 update on TPG’s official article here.
For travelers looking to stretch their miles, streamline their airport time, and upgrade their travel lifestyle, TPG’s wish list is a cheat sheet for smart planning.
Best TPG Staff Holiday Wish List Items for Smart Travelers in 2025
From better ways to earn to lounges that aren’t packed to the gills, these TPG staff picks reflect very real traveler pain points — and opportunities.
1. More Transferable Points Between Credit Card and Airline Programs
This wish taps into a big frustration for many: too many great-points cards aren’t flexible enough. The TPG staff wants to see more cards offering better transfer options to hotel and airline programs.
✅ Tip: Look for cards that already partner with multiple travel brands. Programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards give you flexible value — and might become even more useful if these wish list hopes are fulfilled.
2. Lounge Access that Works for Real Travelers
Many TPG staffers pointed to the growing lounge access problem — either the best lounges are overcrowded or they’re limited to very few RTW travelers.
🎯 Pro Tip: Invest in travel cards that add guaranteed lounge access where you actually travel. For example, Capital One’s new lounges or the Amex Global Lounge Collection launched new locations last year — and there’s industry buzz about wider access coming.
Also, consider booking an airport transfer so you can maximize time in the lounge instead of arriving stressed.
3. Elite Status Perks That Actually Matter
Elite status in 2025 should move past bonus baggage fees. According to multiple TPG staff members, perks like early boarding, better service recovery, and one-time room upgrades would create real-world value.
💼 Tip for luxury travelers: Consider airline brands like Alaska Mileage Plan or hotel programs such as Hyatt Globalist — praised by frequent flyers and now appearing on several staff wish lists.
4. More Family-Friendly Points Solutions
Parents and caregivers had a unique wish this year: more intuitive award booking systems for families. Booking multiple award seats with kids, or using companion passes, often requires “points gymnastics.”
👨👩👧 Hack: Use tools like flight comparison platforms that flag which redemptions make sense for multi-ticket bookings, or book directly with programs known for family perks (hello, Southwest Companion Pass!).
How to Plan This Travel Upgrade Journey the Smart Way
You don’t need to be an elite flyer or credit card strategist to benefit from these wish list priorities. Here’s how to apply them to your 2025 travel planning:
- ✅ Compare travel credit cards with transferable point programs before your next big trip.
- 🛋️ Use lounge maps and access tools (like Priority Pass or LoungeBuddy) to plan your airport wait time.
- 🍾 Consider splurging once on a lounge-access add-on for long international layovers.
- ✈️ Use fare comparison tools to find value redemptions when booking reward travel.
- 🎒 Travel with gear that smooths the frequent-flier experience — e.g., RFID wallets or collapsible carry-ons.
- 🧳 For family trips, try mapping out your reward availability at least 90 days ahead to secure multi-seat availability.
HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for Thinking Like a Travel Insider
If you’re chasing points or trying to cut through the noise of loyalty programs, here’s how HopStrip-style travelers make smarter moves:
- Mix loyalty tiers based on experience, not just brand. Maybe fly Delta for comfort, but book hotels where you have better rewards status like Hyatt or Marriott.
- Combine destinations with shared airline alliances. Star Alliance or Oneworld partnerships can earn you perks even on partner flights — which is key if you’re already collecting elite credits.
- Book independent hotels through platforms that still let you earn rewards, or combine boutique stays with big-chain points for balance. You can check hotel prices here for comparison.
- Never forget insurance for point-based trips. Cancellations hurt more when you’ve put effort into redemptions. Use travel insurance like Ekta to protect reward-based itineraries.
- Optimize your gear. Swappable outlet adapters, portable chargers, and packing cubes give your travel style the polish that elite status promises.
FAQ: TPG Staff Holiday Wish List — More Points, Expanded Lounges and Better Elite Perks
🧳 What is the TPG staff holiday wish list and how does it help travelers?
It’s an annual wishlist from The Points Guy team, featuring their most-wanted upgrades to loyalty programs, lounges, and premium travel benefits. By following their insights, everyday travelers can anticipate new perks and shape their travel planning accordingly.
✈️ Will lounge access improve in 2025?
Many major credit cards and airlines are already expanding lounges or loosening access rules. The TPG staff highlighted this as a top frustration, and we’re now seeing solutions like new locations from Capital One and partnerships with global brands.
🎁 What loyalty perks matter most to real travelers?
Flexible points transfer, seat upgrades, and lounge comfort top the list. Also, features like family-friendly booking and intuitive elite status benefits (like waived resort fees or late checkout) are increasingly in demand.
💳 Which points programs should I explore in 2025?
Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards are likely front-runners if wish list expansions occur. Travelers should also follow Air Canada Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, and Hyatt — all commonly praised by loyalty experts.
🧒 Are there points changes that help families more?
Yes — more award seats for families, easier booking for kids, and faster paths to companion passes were named in the 2025 list. Watch for programs like Southwest or JetBlue to respond first.
