Sometimes the best trips are the ones you least expect. Like when a great points and miles deal takes you somewhere that wasn't even on your radar — or when a friend plans a trip for you to one of their favorite places, sight unseen.

That's exactly what two of our staff members recently did.

These TPGers both have strong feelings about their favorite cities, so they decided to go head-to-head and see which city wins. The catch? They had to swap cities for 48 hours and plan each other's itinerary. The London resident headed to New York City, while the Big Apple lover headed across the pond to England's capital.

SYLVAIN SONNET/GETTY IMAGES

They picked out some super cool hotels (that you can book with points, of course) in neighborhoods packed with things to do. Plus, they sampled iconic city flavors, from fish 'n' chips and New York pizza to housemade pasta and London's unofficial national dish. They also discovered some hidden gems, including a 1940s-themed speakeasy and a mystery comedy venue where you never know what act you're getting.

At the end of their whirlwind trips, they tallied up the results for each city across categories such as transportation, lodging, neighborhoods, dining, nightlife and activities.

Did one city come out on top? Watch the video to see what happened — and get plenty of inspiration for your next city break.

Of course, it's impossible to see all a city has to offer in two days — especially ones as large and as diverse as London and New York. So you'll just have to visit these cities yourself and tell us which one you think reigns supreme.

Keep reading to plan your London or New York City trip with the following stories:

  • How to get to London with points and miles
  • 29 cheap or free things to do in London
  • The best hotels in NYC
  • TPG's favorite things to do in New York City
  • How 3 credit card welcome bonuses got me a week in London

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.