Name: American Express® Gold Card
Brand: American Express

During the days of lockdown, I swore to use my time after being vaccinated to create more amazing experiences and memories. Gazing out of my New York City apartment window, I longed to travel again. I wouldn't take that freedom or privilege for granted any longer.

So, once I got that second shot in my arm -- OK, even before then -- I was busy booking new adventures.

First on the list was a long weekend away with my wife in Big Sur, California. We also planned a number of road trips with our 6-year-old daughter to visit theme parks and beach towns.

But, like many travelers out there, I was sitting on a mountain of points, miles and free room certificates that needed to be put to use.

The year started with five companion tickets in my Delta Air Lines account. Yes, five. I used to have three Delta American Express cards: a personal and a small business Delta SkyMiles Reserve card and a Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. Each comes with one free annual companion certificate. (I have since closed one of the Reserve cards.) With the pandemic, those certificates were extended to June 30, 2022. But I also earned two new ones upon renewal.

My family does a lot of flying, but we also all had about $800 in unused flight credits from canceled trips. Those needed to be used up first. But I still had all these certificates.

That's why I decided to take my 73-year-old mother on a quick one-night getaway using one of my certificates. At the time, my daughter had just returned to daily, in-person classes and suddenly the idea of a quick trip away didn't seem like a major imposition on my wife.

Scott Mayerowitz and his mom, Susan, outside the Motown Museum. (Photo by Scott Mayerowitz/The Points Guy)

Hours later, I had two tickets booked to Detroit.

That's right: Detroit.

It’s not the most exciting destination, but in a year of overwhelmed national parks and beaches, city trips are a smart alternative with great food, history and amazing architecture.

And, personally, I think travel is a chance to connect with others and learn something along the way. Because my mom and I are both history buffs, we were excited to visit the Motown Museum, the nearby Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, Michigan, and walk the streets of downtown Detroit to admire the cityscape.

It turned out to be a great trip.

The lobby of the David Whitney Building in Detroit, home to an Aloft hotel. (Photo by Scott Mayerowitz/The Points Guy)

Detroit architecture

Chicago has made a business of showing off its architecture. There are boat cruises and more than a dozen walking tours.

Detroit isn't as lucky. We tried to book one of the few tours we could find online, but they were either sold out or never returned our calls. But Detroit's buildings are just as — if not more — interesting than what you'll find in Chicago. So, we made our own tour.

A few highlights include The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit (a hotel dating back to 1924); the famous Fox Theatre and the 1970s GM Renaissance Center designed by architect John Portman. Many travelers will recognize Portman's name, as he's the architect behind The Hyatt Regency Atlanta and its famous atrium. Later, he would go on to design other atrium hotels, including the New York Marriott Marquis.

(Photo by Scott Mayerowitz/The Points Guy)

Standout Detroit hotels

A few years ago, I stayed at the Aloft Detroit at The David Whitney. The hotel sits as the base of a 19-story tower built in 1915. (Above is a photo of the specular lobby.)

For this stay, I wanted to check out another historic building that's been reimagined as a hotel. Since I was traveling with my mom, I also needed extra space so we could spread out and have our privacy.

Enter the Element. Similar to Aloft, which is also part of Marriott Bonvoy, this hotel gave new life to another architectural gem. The Element took over the Metropolitan Building, a historic office building downtown. While the lobby isn't as grand as the Aloft down the block, the hotel still presents a unique experience.

Detroit (Photo by Scott Mayerowitz/The Points Guy)

I booked the only suite category the hotel had, though unfortunately, Element is one of the few Marriott brands where you can't apply the suite upgrade nights that are earned after reaching 50 or 75 nights a year with the chain.

So, I ended up paying full price even though the hotel was empty. The hotel also lacked its normal free breakfast, something the front desk said was due to COVID-19 but has been part of a larger pattern during the pandemic. Basically, there's no consistency across brands or even cities about what amenities are offered. You have to call individual hotels to find out.

And no tale about cool hotels in Detroit would be complete without a mention of the Shinola Hotel. I strolled through the lobby, but you can read our full review here.

For those who don't know, Shinola is a company based in Detroit that makes watches, bicycles and leather goods. It's named after a shuttered shoe polish company but, in the past decade, has been known to make some pretty cool luxury products. Shinola is now also making amenity kits for American Airlines, along with some AvGeek-worthy clocks made from decommissioned McDonnell Douglas MD-80s.

Motown Museum

Detroit is probably best known for making cars and great music.

At the center of that musical revolution was Motown and its various record labels. I might have been born in the late 1970s, but I'm still very familiar with Motown artists such as Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross and The Supremes, the Four Tops, the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.

The original studio that dates back to 1959 (where many of these acts got their start) is now the Motown Museum.

Neither my mom nor I are major Motown fans, but we were both stomping our feet along with the familiar songs and enthralled with the history as we explored the museum.

Dining out in Detroit

For our one-night stay in Detroit, I struggled to hone in on one restaurant because there were so many places to eat. Because I knew it would be a long two days of travel, I narrowed my focus to a neighborhood just north of downtown, along the Woodward Avenue Streetcar (also known as the Q Line) that's filled with great dining venues.

After consulting a few folks, I settled on Grey Ghost Detroit and was not disappointed.

The menu features comfort foods such as a burger and steaks and a hearty duck breast with cheese grits.

But it's some of the smaller menu items that really jump out, including a carrot tartare with whipped horseradish and fried bologna on a potato waffle with sharp cheddar and jalapeño.

Yes, you read that right. And, of course, I went ahead and ordered the fried bologna.

As for drinks, well, I couldn't resist ordering one named after Betty White that featured bourbon, pineapple juice and Pineau des Charentes (a French aperitif).

The Henry Ford, Greenfield Village and Ford Factory tour

Halfway between Detroit and the airport sits one of my favorite museum complexes.

The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is a collection of all things that advanced technology — or the way we live our lives. It starts with colonial kitchens, has a section on farming, another on power generation, plenty of airplanes including a DC-3, big trains (my favorite is a Canadian snow plow engine) and, of course, a collection of cars including presidential limousines, such as the one Ronald Regan was riding in when he was shot.

Travel buffs will appreciate a display about Holiday Inn and how that brand help spread road trips through its clean and predictable rooms, many that you could just drive right up to.

There's also a powerful exhibit on segregation in America, including a "whites only" water fountain from a bus stop, segregated waiting rooms and, according to the museum, the bus Rosa Parks rode the day she was arrested.

Right next door is Greenfield Village. This collection of historic buildings and recreations was originally built by Henry Ford to educate school children about history. Today, it's a sprawling outdoor museum. Tip: Bring some good walking shoes.

Noah Webster's house is here, along with the original Wright brothers cycle shop. Added to the mix is a glass-blowing workshop, a printing press and a historic church. For an added fee, you can catch a ride on a Model T or a steam-powered locomotive.

Throughout the grounds are guides — some dressed in period attire — who help explain the significance of each building and contextualize the history of the complex.

The final bit of the Henry Ford experience is a tour of a working Ford factory just a few miles away.

The Ford River Rouge complex is one of the most important factories in automobile history. A bloody fight occurred there between Ford security forces and union organizers in 1937. While Ford won that fight, the company's reputation was tarnished, union support rose and, three years later, the company signed a contract with the United Auto Workers.

The factory was also one of the largest and most modern of its time. During times of war, it made jeeps, aircraft engines and other products to support the allied efforts. During peace, it rolled out the original Mercury, the Ford Thunderbird and the Ford Mustang.

Today, the factory makes the Ford F-Series pickup trucks, the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. It will also produce the F-150 Lightning, the new electric version of the popular pickup.

The factory tour comprises promotional videos, a view from a tower where you can get a sense of the vast complex and then a walk on an elevated path overlooking part of the factory floor. (During my visit with my mom, the line was shut down due to the global computer chip shortage.)

Bottom line

The pandemic has, hopefully, shifted the way we think about travel.

Sure, we all have our checklists and the fancy hotels we would love to stay at. But taking a trip is also a great opportunity to connect with a loved one, without all the distractions of daily life.

No, Detroit wasn't at the top of my list of destinations to visit. I still had a great time there, however, and would recommend a similar trip to anyone searching for any easy domestic getaway. And most importantly, I got to spend quality time with my mom and create new memories with her.

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

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Apply now at American Express's secure site.
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
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.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

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

Pros + cons

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 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 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

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 $8,000 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 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

So, once I got that second shot in my arm -- OK, even before then -- I was busy booking new adventures.

First on the list was a long weekend away with my wife in Big Sur, California. We also planned a number of road trips with our 6-year-old daughter to visit theme parks and beach towns.

But, like many travelers out there, I was sitting on a mountain of points, miles and free room certificates that needed to be put to use.

My family does a lot of flying, but we also all had about $800 in unused flight credits from canceled trips. Those needed to be used up first. But I still had all these certificates.

Hours later, I had two tickets booked to Detroit.

That's right: Detroit.

It’s not the most exciting destination, but in a year of overwhelmed national parks and beaches, city trips are a smart alternative with great food, history and amazing architecture.

It turned out to be a great trip.

Detroit architecture

Chicago has made a business of showing off its architecture. There are boat cruises and more than a dozen walking tours.

Standout Detroit hotels

A few years ago, I stayed at the Aloft Detroit at The David Whitney. The hotel sits as the base of a 19-story tower built in 1915. (Above is a photo of the specular lobby.)

And no tale about cool hotels in Detroit would be complete without a mention of the Shinola Hotel. I strolled through the lobby, but you can read our full review here.

Motown Museum

Detroit is probably best known for making cars and great music.

The original studio that dates back to 1959 (where many of these acts got their start) is now the Motown Museum.

Neither my mom nor I are major Motown fans, but we were both stomping our feet along with the familiar songs and enthralled with the history as we explored the museum.

Dining out in Detroit

After consulting a few folks, I settled on Grey Ghost Detroit and was not disappointed.

The menu features comfort foods such as a burger and steaks and a hearty duck breast with cheese grits.

But it's some of the smaller menu items that really jump out, including a carrot tartare with whipped horseradish and fried bologna on a potato waffle with sharp cheddar and jalapeño.

Yes, you read that right. And, of course, I went ahead and ordered the fried bologna.

As for drinks, well, I couldn't resist ordering one named after Betty White that featured bourbon, pineapple juice and Pineau des Charentes (a French aperitif).

The Henry Ford, Greenfield Village and Ford Factory tour

Halfway between Detroit and the airport sits one of my favorite museum complexes.

Travel buffs will appreciate a display about Holiday Inn and how that brand help spread road trips through its clean and predictable rooms, many that you could just drive right up to.

Throughout the grounds are guides — some dressed in period attire — who help explain the significance of each building and contextualize the history of the complex.

The final bit of the Henry Ford experience is a tour of a working Ford factory just a few miles away.

Today, the factory makes the Ford F-Series pickup trucks, the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. It will also produce the F-150 Lightning, the new electric version of the popular pickup.

Bottom line

The pandemic has, hopefully, shifted the way we think about travel.

Sure, we all have our checklists and the fancy hotels we would love to stay at. But taking a trip is also a great opportunity to connect with a loved one, without all the distractions of daily life.

Detroit architecture

Standout Detroit hotels

Motown Museum

Dining out in Detroit

The Henry Ford, Greenfield Village and Ford Factory tour

Bottom line

Comments

Comments

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TPG featured card

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

Detroit architecture

Standout Detroit hotels

Motown Museum

Dining out in Detroit

The Henry Ford, Greenfield Village and Ford Factory tour

Bottom line

Comments

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer