✈ Stories That Made Us Smile in 2023 & More Daily News From TPG ✈

Also: 7 of the best starter travel credit cards December 25, 2023 [THE POINTS GUY]( [View in browser]( [TPG Daily NEWSLETTER]( [THE POINTS GUY]( These stories gave us all the feels this year by Cameron Sperance, Senior Hotels Reporter [TPG | Hero Image] Merry Christmas to all! We have a wide array of reporters here at TPG covering everything in the travel orbit. While new hotel brands, the debut of a new business-class product or a stellar points redemption often dominate our headlines, there have been plenty of stories in 2023 that went outside the box and put a smile on each of our faces. Who can forget when Eloise at the Plaza got a run for her money when [TPG’s Tanner Saunders checked in with his fabulous pup, Splenda]( She’s one Uptown kinda corgi — and deserves nothing less than the highest thread count and yappy, er, snappy room service. There were also creative treks this year from Team TPG — [Jordan Waller let ChatGPT plan a two-day vacation]( in Lisbon. Let’s just say Jordan isn’t eager to replicate the experience, but it was certainly amusing to see how much octopus it tried to recommend to Jordan (who is not a fan of octopus). Tarah Chieffi [splashed around at mermaid school]( — a fin-tastic story, if I do say so myself. TPG also continued its philanthropy streak by [supporting PeaceJam at the organization’s annual conference]( and [co-sponsoring the "Best Flight Ever"]( with American Airlines and Make-A-Wish to provide a once-in-a-lifetime vacation for 26 kids diagnosed with critical illnesses and their families. These stories all made us smile and tugged at our heartstrings. Here are a few more from this year: - [I woke up and booked the cheapest same-day flight out of the country — here’s what happened]( - [Dolly Parton shares her vision for the future of Dollywood, aka her 'Tennessee mountain home']( - [I just snowshoed at the North Pole — here's how you can, too]( Hit me up with some of your favorite stories of the year. You can find me on [X (formerly Twitter)]( and [Instagram](. Posts in this newsletter contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, [visit this page](. Photo Credit: MATTHEW ZACH. Today’s top stories [7 of the best starter travel credit cards]( Getting started with points and miles can be tough, especially when it comes to picking the right credit card. [Read more]( [What airline fare classes tell you about your ticket]( Did you know that the letters associated with your airline ticket actually mean something? [Read more]( [Ink Business Preferred Credit Card review: A great all-around business card]( Here's how you can earn Ultimate Rewards points and maximize the additional perks on the card. [Read more]( [Get more from your rewards with these transfer bonuses — including a new Hilton offer from Amex]( A look at all current transfer bonuses involving major credit cards, airlines and hotel loyalty programs. [Read more]( [5 things you should never pack in a checked bag — even though the airlines allow them]( Banned items aside, here are five things you should never pack in a checked bag, regardless of how short your flight is. [Read more]( The latest 1. [Inside Gaylord Ice! Meet the artisans who turn 5,000 tons of ice into winter wonderlands]( 2. [7 airline and hotel loyalty programs that let you give the gift of elite status]( 3. [I'm one of the first passengers on Carnival's newest ship: Check out more than 100 Carnival Jubilee photos]( 4. [Zach Griff's 2023 travel highlights, elite status earned and trip stats]( 5. [8 best drinks to order with a cruise ship beverage package (and 3 to avoid)]( [fb]( [insta]( [yt]( [tw]( [in]( [mail](mailto:hello@thepointsguy.com) You are receiving this email because you opted in at [thepointsguy.com](. Where to find us: The Points Guy 100 5th Ave., 16th Floor New York, NY 10011 USA USA If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can subscribe [here](. Changed your mind? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe]( at any time. Advertiser Disclosure: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which [ThePointsGuy.com]( receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Please view our [advertising policy]( page for more information. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. THE POINTS GUY © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2023