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Visit US National Parks for Free on These Days in 2017
Anthony Cofrancesco
Contributor
Since 2014 Anthony has been a hardcore points and miles enthusiast. His first points and miles trip was completed on Valentine’s Day weekend in 2014. Anthony used 13k Southwest RR miles on a round trip flight to Puerto Rico and 30k Wyndham points (earned from booking hotel rooms for the UF cycling team) to stay in a $900/ night suite at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar. He’s been hooked ever since. In two years Anthony has accumulated 15 credit cards and spent nearly 1 million points. In 2015 he flew 71 times. Anthony’s current goal is to see every country in the world before the age of 25.
When not feeding his wanderlust, Anthony is either cramming for finals at The University of Florida, tearing his legs apart on a long bike ride or getting lost in nature. Anthony has a wide range of professional experiences. He has completed internships with Amazon, Verizon and ThePointsGuy.com. While at the University of Florida, Anthony has conducted research in bumble bee entomology labs, served as President of The UF Cycling Team, competed across the globe on the International Case Competition Team, and allocated over $500k in funding as the President of The UF Sports Club Council.
March 11, 2017
•
2 min read
Visit US National Parks for Free on These Days in 2017
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One of America’s greatest treasures is its vast network of 417 national parks, monuments, battlefields, historic sites, preserves and conservation areas — with more than 84 million acres of protected lands throughout the US and its territories, adventure and discovery are never too far away.
And, as if you really needed another reason to visit, the National Parks Service (NPS) is offering free admission on certain days in 2017, including the weekends of April 15-16 and 22-23 in honor of National Park Week, August 25 (to celebrate the National Park Service's birthday), September 30 for National Public Lands Day and Veterans Day weekend on November 11-12 — you could have also gotten in free on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 16) and Presidents' Day (February 20).
Admission fees normally vary from park to park, with some of the most popular charging as high as $30 per car — we're looking at you, Grand Canyon National Park. Note that the free entrance days only get you into these participating parks and monuments and do not apply to additional charges for activities like camping, concessions or third-party tours. If you are planning a trip, consider staying at points hotels located just outside some of the most-visited national parks in the country.
In addition to the free days listed above, NPS offers complimentary admission to current US military members and their dependents, as well as US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Volunteers who log at least 250 hours with federal agencies also get in free, as do fourth grade students, who can score a free annual pass as a part of the Every Kid in a Park program. Seniors over the age of 62 who are US citizens or permanent residents are also eligible to purchase a $10 Lifetime Pass, which provides additional discounts on camping, swimming and other park-related services.
If you're willing to venture a little farther north, Canada is also letting folks visit its own national parks for free this year when you sign up for a free Discovery Pass.
Featured image by Getty Images/EyeEm
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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.