TPG Teams Up With Make-A-Wish to Benefit Kids Battling Illness
Update: If you donated miles yesterday and attempted to send an email to donatemiles@thepointsguy.com with a screenshot, it may not have gone through. That email is now working. If you donate miles, be sure to send a screenshot of your donation to donatemiles@thepointsguy.com in order to be entered to win one of five consultations with me.
It's easy to get caught up in the mindset that points and miles are for premium travel experiences only. But the reality is, they can be used for so much more, whether to help someone in need or to bring a child's dreams to life. I'm thrilled to announce that TPG is teaming up with Make-A-Wish to help make wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Many of you have already heard of the organization and the amazing work it does to grant wishes to kids who are battling critical illnesses. Nationally, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 34 minutes — and wishes range anywhere from collecting seashells on the beach to meeting Justin Bieber. What's sometimes overlooked, though, is the travel that's required to get these wish kids where they want to go, whether it's to Great Barrier Reef or a stop on a musician's tour. And for that part of the wish, the organization relies on points and miles.
As you can imagine, Make-A-Wish needs a lot of them to fulfill all the wishes that come its way — more than 2.8 billion miles are needed to cover every travel wish this year alone. Last year, Make-A-Wish received 176 million miles in donations, which were put toward flights to grant 15,300 wishes. And with plans to increase the number of granted wishes to 17,000 by 2020, Make-A-Wish needs your help.
Thanks to our new collaboration with Make-A-Wish, there is now a way to contribute.
During the month of August, we're going to be featuring a story from one Make-A-Wish airline partner per week. Nationally, Make-A- Wish receives support from six major airlines including, American, United, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue and Allegiant to help grant travel wishes. Some kids have airline-specific wishes, like becoming a United pilot for the day, while some carriers give wish kids something special to help them remember their big day, such as Delta's send-off celebrations. Here's a look at when we'll be highlighting each of Make-A-Wish's airline partners this month.
- Week 1 (July 30–August 7) — American Airlines
- Week 2 (August 8–14) — Southwest Airlines
- Week 3 (August 15–21) — United Airlines
- Week 4 (August 22–28) — Delta Air Lines
How to Donate Your Miles to Make-A-Wish
Starting today, you can donate your points and miles — AAdvantage miles, Southwest Rapid Rewards points, United MileagePlus miles or Delta SkyMiles — to Make-A-Wish through Make-A-Wish and TPG's donate miles page. Although we're not highlighting JetBlue with a week and story this month, you can donate your TrueBlue points through our campaign as well. Several other carriers also accept miles including: Alaska Airlines, Sun Country and Hawaiian Airlines. Once you've donated, send an email to donatemiles@thepointsguy.com with a screenshot of how many miles you've donated and you'll be entered to win a special one-on-one meal and consultation with me in New York City. I'm giving away five meet-ups, and I'll teach you how to replenish the points and miles you just donated. Every 5,000 miles you donate (regardless of from which program) will give you one entry into the contest. So, the more you donate, the more chances you'll have to win. View the official TPG sweepstakes rules here.
Make-A-Wish makes it incredibly easy to donate your miles. So, if you have a surplus from any of the aforementioned programs, this is the perfect opportunity to pay it forward. Your donations are guaranteed to help make a child's wish come true, whether it's flying them to Paris for a dream trip or to a Carrie Underwood concert across the country.
If you don't have any points or miles to spare from United, Delta, JetBlue or Southwest, keep in mind that you can also transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou points or American Express Membership Rewards points. Here's how it breaks down for each loyalty program:
- Delta Air Lines
- American Express Membership Rewards — 1:1 ratio, transfers instantly
- Minimum donation: 1,000 miles
- JetBlue Airways
- Southwest Airlines
- Chase Ultimate Rewards — 1:1 ratio, transfers instantly
- Minimum donation: 2,000 points
- United Airlines
- Chase Ultimate Rewards — 1:1 ratio, transfers instantly
- Minimum donation: 500 miles
- American Airlines
- Does not transfer directly from Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards or Citi ThankYou points
- Minimum donation: 1,000 miles
Nothing is more rewarding than giving back. I'm happy to be working with Make-A-Wish on this and I encourage you to donate whatever you can. Let's grant some wishes!
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.