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You're grounded: The travel memes making us laugh and giving us life during the quarantine

April 18, 2020
4 min read
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You're grounded: The travel memes making us laugh and giving us life during the quarantine
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As another week of quarantine goes by, it's safe to say that we could all use some humor right about now.

While the coronavirus situation is far from funny, travelers have been making light of the situation with some creative executions on various social media platforms to cope with their wanderlust.

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Here's a round-up of some of our favorite travel memes we've seen on social so far:

This TikToker re-created one of our favorite things: Flying. And honestly, he had us fooled for a hot second. Needless to say, we can't wait to get back to the skies.

https://www.tiktok.com/@jeroengortworst/video/6811849424587721989

Quarantine is basically like flying Emirates first-class, right? Set the mood with some casual lobster mac and cheese for a snack, a glass of Veuve to top it off and your movie of choice.

Related: The most memorable meals we've eaten on planes this year

Who said you have to leave your house to travel? All you need is an Instagram account and you can go 12 places with the swipe of a finger, like this guy.

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https://www.tiktok.com/@heartthrobert/video/6813393367590817030?u_code=d7g9ac9d9el5el&preview_pb=0&language=en&_d=d9bgk475il2cik&timestamp=1587223251&user_id=6721511854814200837&utm_campaign=client_share&app=musically&utm_medium=ios&user_id=6721511854814200837&tt_from=copy&utm_source=copy&source=h5_m

Related: Travel the world without leaving home

Award availability is off the charts right now. That is, in your own home. The best part? So many choices, so much... time. Where are you headed next?

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-2HtLgHG2W/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

This is our new favorite safety video. All jokes aside, this guy's got some pretty sweet aviation swag in his place.

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There's a good chance you've seen or been that traveler who's been reminiscing on old trips and dreaming of new ones all over social. What can we say? We're not used to being grounded for so long.

It's no surprise that here at TPG, we've got staffers all over the world. But even though we may be hundreds of miles apart, we're still staying connected. Show us how you are by using the #TPGpaperplanechallenge hashtag on TikTok.

https://www.tiktok.com/@thepointsguy/video/6811949850494569734?u_code=d7g9ac9d9el5el&preview_pb=0&language=en&_d=d9bgk475il2cik&timestamp=1587224997&user_id=6721511854814200837&utm_campaign=client_share&app=musically&utm_medium=ios&user_id=6721511854814200837&tt_from=copy&utm_source=copy&source=h5_m

Boarding passes look a bit different these days, but we're sticking to our favorite lingo: airport talk.

We're even missing the little things that we used to complain about. Waiting for checked luggage? Yes please.

https://www.tiktok.com/@ownyourfancy/video/6815687661525667077?u_code=d7g9ac9d9el5el&language=en&timestamp=1587222894&user_id=6721511854814200837&utm_campaign=client_share&app=musically&utm_medium=ios&user_id=6721511854814200837&tt_from=copy&utm_source=copy&source=h5_m

And of course, we're keeping up with our training to ensure that no flights will be missed once travel resumes:

La Rotonda de Sofa is where you can catch us this weekend:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-LSP2wDRUP/

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Now boarding for Netflix with a quick layover on Twitter:

And to sum how we're all feeling right now, we'll let this little girl do the talking.

Bottom line

Travel may look a bit different right now — and we certainly appreciate some good humor to lighten things up — but on a serious note, here's some things you may want to consider if you're booking future travel. Looking ahead, we're betting things there's going to be some changes in the travel industry.

To stay up to date on what those may be, sign-up for TPG's daily newsletter and be sure to follow us on social @thepointsguy.

In the meantime, stay safe and try to make the most of it. For more wanderlust cures, check out our favorite travel movies, books, podcasts or take a virtual visit to a world-famous museum.

Further reading:

(Featured image by Xingzheng/Getty Images)

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  • 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.
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  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $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.
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  • 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.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • 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.