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What your favorite travel brands are doing to celebrate Pride this year

June 18, 2021
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7 min read
San Francisco Pride Parade
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For many, TPG is your go-to source for all things travel and points and miles. However, we strongly believe in taking a stance for diversity and inclusion efforts within and outside the travel industry.

That’s why Pride Month is so important to us, as the team at TPG works to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities to fight prejudices within our industry and beyond. TPG has partnered with the nonprofit Rainbow Railroad for many years. This year, Brian Kelly and our team will match up to $100,000 in donations to continue rescuing LGBTQIA+ individuals facing persecution based on their sexual orientation or identity.

Related: Happy Pride! Here’s all we’re doing at The Points Guy to celebrate Pride Month

While we don’t have any in-person events for 2021, we’re hosting two upcoming virtual events discussing diversity in the travel community and dozens of articles on our site discussing various topics. You can click here for more information on how TPG is celebrating Pride Month this year.

Now, we’re keeping members of the travel industry accountable. We reached out to our favorite airline and hotel brands to survey how they’re celebrating Pride Month in 2021.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines employees jump in front of plane with new livery celebrating gay pride.
Pride in the Sky livery on Alaska Airlines jet. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines)

As the carrier is headquartered in Seattle, Alaska Airlines is the official airline of Seattle Pride 2021 — a two-day virtual celebration on June 26 and 27. Here are the other Pride 2021 events that Alaska is sponsoring:

American Airlines

Screenshot from American Airlines showing diversity efforts.
(Screenshot courtesy American Airlines)

American Airlines has many partnerships to celebrate Pride Month, including the Human Rights Campaign, The National Gay Pilots Association, Lambda Legal, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and NYC Pride and Out & Equal. Internally, the company is hosting internal listening sessions hosted by American's employee business resource groups, including PRIDE, Black Professional Network and Professional Women in Aviation groups, as well as "highlighting our LGBTQ team members by sharing their stories on topics about adoption, spreading love and kindness and the importance of allyship."

This month, American Airlines features 23 new movies to “celebrate the LGBT community and its allies.” There’s a dedicated Pride channel with both new and classic titles — some of which were even chosen by American employees. Here’s an example list of movies you’ll find on board:

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  • “Philadelphia.”
  • “Little Miss Sunshine.”
  • “The Greatest Showman.”
  • “Rocketman.”
  • “Cowboys.”
  • “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Delta Air Lines

New York City Delta bus in the 2019 Pride parade.
Delta Air Lines shows its support at the NYC Pride Parade in New York City, New York on Sunday, June 30, 2019. (Photo by John Paul Van Wert/Rank Studios)

Due to the continuous impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Delta Air Lines will be sponsoring both virtual and in-person Pride events occurring throughout the year. If you’re looking to celebrate in June, Delta’s sponsoring the virtual Cincinnati Pride event on June 26.

In terms of in-person events, Delta is sponsoring the following this upcoming fall:

If you’re flying Delta anytime this June, you’ll be stoked to see the airline’s curated spotlight collection, featuring 13 films and TV series that “celebrate love, diversity, acceptance and self-pride among the LGBTQ+ community.” If your seat has a seatback screen, here are titles you can choose from:

  • “The World to Come.”
  • “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
  • “Pariah.”
  • “Schitt’s Creek.”
  • “Supernova.”
  • "The L Word.”
  • “Milk.”
  • “Brokeback Mountain.”
  • “Pose.”
  • “Paris Is Burning.”
  • “Love, Victor.”
  • “The Celluloid Closet.”

These shows and films were selected in partnership with Equal, Delta’s employee business resource group that consults and offers insight into the LGBTQIA+ community. Equal will host virtual events internally, including a flag-raising ceremony that employees can attend.

Delta has a dedicated page for Pride at the airline.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines isn’t hosting any events this year. But for June, the airline is highlighting one of their LGBTQ-owned snack suppliers: King Nut.

“It is important to have diverse suppliers and our Supplier Diversity program to cultivate inclusive procurement practices that drive competition, and help Southwest capture the most value at the lowest cost,” said Michelle Fourcand, manager of supply chain management for Southwest Airlines.

King Nut has been Southwest’s inflight snack supplier since 2001, from your beloved pretzels to peanuts. Since 2020, King Nut has supplied Southwest’s newest snack mix on board.

United Airlines

This Pride Month, United Airlines has partnered with Chase on the airline’s cobranded credit cards. Until the end of June, eligible United MileagePlus cardmembers will receive 5 miles for every dollar (up to $1,000) in donations made to the following nonprofits:

  • The Trevor Project: The largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQIA+ youth in the world.
  • The Human Rights Campaign: An organization that advocates for LGBTQIA+ rights through lobbying Congress and grassroots actions.
  • StartOut: A nonprofit that assists and provides resources to LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs globally.

If you max out these donations, that means you could earn 5,000 bonus miles, worth $65 according to TPG valuations.

Hyatt

If you’re attending an in-person Pride celebration this year, you can book a stay at participating Hyatt hotels and enjoy 20% off when you use the promo code “PRIDE.” Whether you’re celebrating in New York or Los Angeles, you could enjoy some sweet savings this Pride Month.

Marriott

Throughout the entire month of June, you can book a stay through Marriott at the New York Marriott Marquis located in the heart of Times Square to enjoy a special Pride Month promotion. By booking with promo code “8LG,” you’ll enjoy the following perks:

  • 3 p.m. early check-in.
  • 1 p.m. late checkout.
  • 20% off at Schmackary’s Bakery.

Bottom line

While many Pride events have been postponed to later this year, this remains a positive in our eyes. In years past, Pride events remained strictly in the month of June — but for 2021, we’re thrilled to see love and support for the LGBTQIA+ community celebrated through the rest of the year. At TPG, we’re dedicated to honoring Pride Month while always advocating and serving as allies.

Donate to TPG’s Pride Month 2021 campaign, and we’ll be matching dollar for dollar up to $100,000 to help Rainbow Railroad save LGBTQIA+ lives around the world.

Featured image by LA Times via Getty Images
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.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    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.