Join Us For The Chicago Frequent Flyer Seminars
This weekend the entire TPG team will be heading to Illinois for the 2012 Chicago Seminars which I am co-hosting along with The Frugal Travel Guy, Rick Ingersoll. There will be about 500 frequent flyer enthusiasts in attendance and several informative sessions for both beginner and advanced mileage junkies, as well as some fun cocktail hours thrown into the mix.
Throughout the weekend, the TPG team will be live tweeting from The Points Guy Twitter feed @thepointsguy. For anyone coming to the Seminars, or those of you at home interested in what is going on, the official hashtag of the event will be #chicagoseminars, so start tweeting and let's get the conversation going!
Here is the schedule of events for the weekend:
FRIDAY OCTOBER 12TH
6:30 - 7:20 PM Rookie Bootcamp: with Dave Homyak
7:30 - 8:30 PM
Delta SkyPesos to Delta Gold: with John Nielsen
Travel Technology with Cliff Stratton
SATURDAY OCTOBER 13TH
7:00 - 8:15 AM Breakfast
8:30 - 10:00 AM
Beginner: FF 101 Pudding Guy and Credit Cards for Newbies with Rick Ingersoll
Advanced: Itasoftware and Expert Flyer with Cara Kreft and Chris Lopinto
10:00 - 10:15 AM Coffee Break
10:30 to Noon
Beginner: Mommy Points and Elite Status- Challenges and Fasttracks with BikeGuy/PuddingGuy
Advanced: Captain Denny Flanagan Author
Noon to 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 - 2:45 PM
Beginner: Mileage Runs with Ben Schlappig
***Advanced: Transfers and Bonus Category Credit Cards with Brian Kelly
2:45 - 3:00 PM Coffee Break
3:00 - 5:00 PM
Beginner: Award Booking with Ben Schlappig
Advanced: Moderated Airline Breakout Sessions with Geoffco (top tier status all 3 alliances)
5:00 - 6:00 PM Meet the Speakers: Cash Bar/Hotel Lobby
***6:00 - 7:30 PM
Advanced: Q and A Mileage Runs and Award Booking with Ben Schlappig and Brian Kelly
The Cruising Crowd with Marshall Jackson
8:00 - 9:00 PM Cocktail hour hosted by Rick Ingersoll and Brian Kelly
SUNDAY OCTOBER 14TH
7:00 - 8:30 AM Breakfast
8:30 - 10:00 AM Sponsors Workshop
10:00 - 10:15 AM Coffee Break
10:15 to Noon
Beginner: Belkin (Beaubo) as a Beginner
Advanced: Hotel Breakout Session
Noon to 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Beginner: Gift Card Churning with Frequent Miler and Shopping Mall Bonanzas with Hans Golden
Advanced: Blogger Questions and Answers
My Presentations
From 1:00 - 2:45 pm on Saturday, I will be speaking about Transfers and Bonus Category Credit Cards and will be present throughout the weekend for mingling and there's also an "Ask the Bloggers" workshop on Sunday.
Saturday night at 8:00pm, there will be a Sponsor's cocktail hour in the Woodfield Ballroom of the hotel, so if you hang around after the last session stop in for a drink!
For more information on the Chicago Seminars you can read this thread on FlyerTalk.
Points Giveaways and The TPG Scavenger Hunt
Since the event was officially sold out by July 19th, I want to give those of you who weren't able to register the chance to follow along with the events from home and possibly win some prizes.
Throughout the weekend Eric, Kate, Ryan and I will be live tweeting (from @thepointsguy). Follow the conversation during my presentation and answer some trivia questions we'll throw out during it, and you could be one of 5 lucky people who win 1,000 Amex points each (transferred to your partner program of choice). Just be sure to Tweet me @thepointsguy and to include the hashtag #chicagoseminars to qualify.
To keep it interesting for the attendees of the conference, we've come up with a variation of a scavenger hunt that will take place during the course of the weekend.
The first 20 people to get pictures of the following 5 things and post them to your Twitter or Instagram account with #TPGhunt will get 2,000 Amex points (transferred to the partner of your choice):
1) Picture of yourself with all 4 members of the TPG team at once: Brian/ TPG, Eric the Managing Editor, Kate the Director of Ops and TPG Intern Ryan. We'll all be at my presentation and at the cocktail party, so you can catch us there.
2) Picture posing at one of the sponsor tables in the main lobby (Make sure to say hi to my friends at the Routehappy.com table!)
3) Picture fanning yourself with at least 5 Chase Sapphire Preferred Cards (I chose this one since the numbers aren't shown on the front) - so start making friends!
4) Picture of you posing with a banner or sign showing "Chicago Seminars".
5) Picture of you with a charity raffle ticket you've bought from Sharon (FT: Skiadcock) - there are going to be great prizes and Marriott just donated a bunch, so stay tuned for details.
When uploading each of your pictures, please use the same application each time (either Twitter or Instagram):
1) Follow The Points Guy on Twitter
And Tweet your photo to @thepointsguy and include the hashtag #TPGhunt in your Tweet.
2) On your smartphone, download the free Instagram App and then follow me at thepointsguy:
Then click the camera button and upload your photo. Make sure you include @thepointsguy and #TPGhunt in your caption so it is included as an official entry.
To be eligible to receive points, all photos must be uploaded with the correct hashtag by Sunday October 14th at 4:00pm CST which is when the final session of the Chicago Seminars ends.
[card card-name='Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express' card-id='22035076' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.