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The biggest moments in travel, points, miles and cards since 2010
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April 2010
The Points Guy brand launches
Brian launches The Points Guy brand, initially as a points consultant where you'd fill out a Google Form and PayPal him $50 — and he'd help you book a trip using points and miles.
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March 1, 2011
Southwest Airlines goes dynamic
Southwest changes its Rapid Rewards program from credits to points, becoming the first to shift to a revenue-based airline loyalty program.
March 10, 2011
6-figure card offer
Capital One launches a bonus of up to 110,000 points (now miles) on the Venture Rewards Credit Card — among the first to hit six figures.
April 6, 2011
100,000-mile offer
British Airways Visa launches 100,000-mile offer, a first among airline credit cards.
APRIL 12, 2011
First New York Times mention
TPG is mentioned in Seth Kugel's blog on The New York Times, the first of many mentions to come over the years.
JUNE 3, 2011
TPG goes full time
Brian Kelly leaves his job as an investment bank recruiter to focus on TPG full time — and will turn his small business into a media powerhouse.
June 10, 2011
Eric Rosen joins TPG
Eric Rosen becomes TPG's first managing editor; he's now a director on the editorial team, overseeing all travel content published on the site.
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March 3, 2012
United-Continental merger
United Airlines and Continental Airlines officially combine, completing a merger that was first announced in 2010.
May 1, 2012
Bankrate acquires TPG
The Points Guy becomes a part of the Bankrate family, accelerating the site's growth trajectory.
May 22, 2012
TPG's Nick Ewen publishes his first story as a contributor; he'll eventually join the team full time in 2018 and now serves as TPG's senior editorial director.
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January 17, 2013
Delta Air Lines goes revenue-based
Delta becomes the first major airline to announce a revenue component to qualifying for elite status; United followed the same year, with American Airlines making a similar change in 2016.
March 2013
The Points Pups
The Points Pups begins with the introduction of the first Frenchie pup, Miles — the group would later expand to include Hootie (2016), Swisher (2017) and Charlie (2018).
March 19, 2013
First issuer-branded lounge
American Express opens the first issuer-branded lounge in the U.S. — starting a battle that will escalate in the years to come.
December 2013
TSA PreCheck officially launches
After years of testing and targeting, TSA PreCheck formally opens for applications.
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June 2014
TPG launches PeaceJam partnership
TPG begins partnering with PeaceJam, which brings Nobel Peace Prize winners to developing countries to mentor youth to change the world. Since then, TPG has raised/donated over $2.4 million to PeaceJam and continues to sponsor youth conferences and programming in Guatemala, Ghana, Liberia and South Africa — impacting thousands of lives and creating young leaders committed to peace.
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February 6, 2015
Delta becomes the first major airline to remove published award charts, heralding a major shift toward dynamic award pricing.
October 30, 2015
Around the world and back
Business Insider shares how Brian Kelly leverages credit card rewards to travel the world for "free."
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January 26, 2016
20 years in points and miles
Brian celebrates 20 years since he booked his family on an epic vacation to the Cayman Islands — which started a lifelong passion and ultimately a successful business in The Points Guy.
August 23, 2016
Chase Sapphire Reserve launches
The Chase Sapphire Reserve launches, with Chase announcing the card by linking to an article on The Points Guy.
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February 27, 2017
First best airlines report
TPG publishes its first-ever "best airlines" report, which is now an annual launch that sets the industry standard for excellence.
May 2, 2017
New home for TPG
TPG moves out of a temporary home in a WeWork and into a new office on Park Avenue in New York City to accommodate the growing team.
June 20, 2017
Brian is named a Top Travel Influencer by Forbes
Recognized as a top travel influencer, Brian shares the strategies that propelled the brand.
July 20, 2017
TPG launches new Facebook group
The TPG Lounge private group launches on Facebook and now boasts nearly 160,000 members.
November 8, 2017
The Points Guy becomes a part of Red Ventures, joining a diverse digital media and marketing company and positioning the brand for significant investment.
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July 25, 2018
Mommy Points joins TPG
Summer Hull, the creator of Mommy Points, joins the TPG family as her small business grows; she's now a senior director overseeing multiple aspects of TPG's editorial operations.
August 18, 2018
Marriott-SPG merger
The merger of Marriott and Starwood Preferred Guest begins — which ultimately would create the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.
December 4, 2018
The first TPG Awards ceremony is held on the USS Intrepid, recognizing the best of the best in the credit card, loyalty and travel industries.
December 18, 2018
Capital One becomes the newest credit card issuer to allow rewards to be transferred to travel partners.
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March 24, 2019
The Wall Street Journal deems Brian "one of the most powerful people in the credit card business."
April 25, 2019
TPG launches international outpost
The Points Guy goes international with the launch of TPG UK, a site that eventually is integrated into our YouTube channels.
June 2019
TPG raises money for Rainbow Railroad
TPG raises money and awareness with an airplane float in the World Pride Parade in New York City, bringing Rainbow Railroad refugees to their very first Pride event.
October 15, 2019
TPG launches small business group
TPG launches small-business group, a new private Facebook group dedicated to small-business owners, launches, creating a new community to share business-related tips on points and miles.
December 2, 2019
TPG's growth continues
The Points Guy hires its 100th full-time employee less than 10 years after inception, a phenomenal growth trajectory.
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January 2, 2020
TPG expands into cruising
Gene Sloan joins The Points Guy as the site expands its cruise coverage.
March 11, 2020
COVID-19 declared a pandemic
The World Health Organization officially classifies COVID-19 as a pandemic, leading to a precipitous drop in travel demand.
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November 2021
Capital One launches its first-ever premium card, the Venture X Rewards Credit Card, along with opening the first Capital One Lounge at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
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June 12, 2022
US drops COVID-19 testing requirement
Travelers no longer need to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test to enter the United States, a major milestone in easing travel restrictions coming out of the pandemic.
November 2022
Dean Kelly arrives
Brian Kelly welcomes his first child, Dean Kelly, officially joining the growing ranks of TPGers with young families.
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September 12, 2023
Capital One makes a splash with a new premium business card, Venture X Business — offering extensive rewards and benefits for small-business owners.
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January 27, 2024
Icon of the Seas launches
Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, departs on its maiden voyage.
September 2024
TPG campaign supports Make-A-Wish
TPG's campaign to support Make-A-Wish raises over $500,000 in donations, all of which will go toward making dreams come true for wish kids and their families.
December 4, 2024
The Points Guy reveals 2025 Travel Trends Report
Brian is featured on "Good Morning America" as he reveals TPG's 2025 trends report, a look at what travelers can expect in the upcoming year.
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February 5, 2025
'How to Win at Travel' published
PG founder Brian Kelly publishes his first book called "How to Win at Travel" — quickly becoming a New York Times bestseller.
Now available on Amazon!
June 7, 2025
TPG turns 15
The Points Guy celebrates 15 years of helping our audience maximize their rewards — with over 9 million monthly visitors, over 5 million followers on social media and nearly 1.6 million newsletter subscribers.