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Here's your chance to bid for a seat on Blue Origin's first space flight with passengers in July

May 06, 2021
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3 min read
BlueOrigin_NewShepard_Launch
Here's your chance to bid for a seat on Blue Origin's first space flight with passengers in July
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Let the bidding begin!

The private spaceflight company Blue Origin announced it has circled July 20 as the date for its first space sightseeing flight and has opened up bidding for a seat on the inaugural trip.

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If the flight does take off as planned, it could mark a major milestone in the competition to launch the commercial space travel industry.

The New Shepard rocket will carry six passengers into suborbital space, 62 miles above the earth. Along for the ride will be the five-person crew and one person who gets to sit back and enjoy the view from high above.

The ship will travel high enough for passengers to experience several minutes of weightlessness, as well as being able to see the curvature of the planet before the pressurized capsule returns to Earth under parachutes. And you'll apparently have a great view, because Blue Origin says the capsule features six observation windows that are nearly three times as tall as those on a Boeing 747 jumbo jet and are the largest ever used in space.

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How much will it cost to win that seat is anyone's guess, especially with the auction format and the novelty of a flight into space having the potential to spark a bidding war. According to Reuters, it could cost upwards of $200,000. That was the price Blue Origin, which is owned by Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, was reportedly planning to charge passengers for the ride when it announced its plans in 2018. That price tag was reached after an appraisal of plans from rival billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic endeavor and confirms that, for at least the beginning, space tourism's primary customer base will be celebrities and the mega-rich.

The New Shepard, named after Alan Shepard, the first American to reach space, will take off and land in West Texas. As of April 14, the astronaut crew had already made 15 consecutive successful trips above the Karman Line (the altitude where space begins) and back.

The auction for a seat on the first flight will begin with sealed bids that can be submitted between now and May 19. After that, the bids will be unsealed and participants must exceed the highest bid to stay in contention. The bidding will conclude with a live online auction on June 12.

The auction for the empty spot on the New Shepard is being auctioned off to benefit Blue Origin's foundation, Club for the Future, which seeks to inspire careers in STEM and to push for the creation of a future lived-in space.

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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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.
  • Terms Apply.