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Two Space Tourists Just Booked a Trip to the Moon for 2018

Feb. 28, 2017
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2 min read
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Two Space Tourists Just Booked a Trip to the Moon for 2018
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In jaw-dropping space news today, SpaceX — an aerospace manufacturer and transport company founded by Elon Musk — announced that two "private citizens" have just booked a "trip around the moon late next year." That's right, SpaceX is planning on sending two people to the moon in 2018.

While these space tourists won't actually land on the lunar surface, this will mark the first time since 1972 that mankind has ventured to the moon. Since then, the last 45 years of manned space travel have been limited to the Earth's orbit. So this would be a spectacular feat for SpaceX and for the future of private spaceflight.

The launch date hasn't been scheduled yet, but the flight will take off from an historical location: Cape Canaveral's Pad 39A. Fittingly, this is the launch pad that was used by NASA for the Apollo program's lunar missions.

The spacecraft that will power the historic journey is expected to be the Falcon Heavy rocket. At 5 million pounds of thrust, it'll be the most powerful rocket since the Saturn V, with more than double the thrust of the next-largest rocket. The price for this trip has not yet been disclosed.

There's space for up to seven astronauts inside the Crew Dragon. Image courtesy of SpaceX.

The two-man team will travel through space in the "Crew Dragon," a cabin with space for up to seven astronauts. With its development funded by NASA's Commercial Crew Program, the Crew Dragon was originally intended to ferry astronauts between Earth and the International Space Station (ISS). Unmanned supply missions to the ISS using the Crew Dragon will begin later in 2017, with manned missions scheduled for mid-2018.

Wondering if you can redeem miles/points to travel to space? While there aren't any options to our knowledge right now, Virgin Australia's Velocity program gave Australian travelers a chance to win and then redeem 25 million points for a seat onboard the first Virgin Galactic space mission. Sadly — or perhaps wisely given the current delays with the Virgin Galactic spacecraft — the winner chose a luxury holiday package instead.

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How much would you pay — in points, miles or cash — for a trip around the moon?

Featured image by Kevork Djansezian

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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)

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  • 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.
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