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This New Record-Breaking Roller Coaster Accelerates From 0 to 78mph in 2 Seconds

July 08, 2019
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3 min read
Maxx Force
This New Record-Breaking Roller Coaster Accelerates From 0 to 78mph in 2 Seconds
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Travelers who prefer lazy river-type rides, avert your eyes. Six Flags Great America, located an hour outside Chicago, has launched the Maxx Force roller coaster to take thrill-seekers from 0 to 78 miles per hour in less than two seconds. The coaster just opened to the public on July 4.

Maxx Force features the fastest launch of any roller coaster in North America — but not the world. In addition to the speedy acceleration, the Maxx Force breaks two other records. The coaster will feature the world's fastest inversion, with a 60 mile-per-hour, zero-gravity roll, and if you're a fan of heights, Maxx Force also has the world's tallest double inversion (175 feet high). There are a total of five inversions during the ride, for travelers who want every opportunity to lose their lunch. Not sure how 78 miles per hour stacks up? Space Mountain at Disney World is reported to go "just" 29 miles per hour.

Related: Best Credit Cards for Theme Parks

Six Flags pass holders got to experience the ride a day early, on July 3, for a Membership Appreciation Day celebration. The ride opened to the public a day later, just in time for the holiday weekend, but the roller coaster was delayed on Monday, according to the Six Flags website.

As the summer continues, guests could be waiting in line for hours to experience the ride, which only lasts about 30 seconds. Flash Passes (aka Six Flags version of a FastPass) are available for those willing to pay to skip the line. Currently, only the highest level Flash Pass, the Platinum Pass, is available for Maxx Force. The Platinum Pass promises to move guests through the line up to 90% faster and ranges in price from $95 to $155 per person, depending on the date and availability. Guests can only use the Platinum Pass once per day for the Maxx Force coaster, but it includes line reducing perks for many other rides, too.

Related: The Best Credit Cards for Entertainment Spending

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Should you wish to use points when visiting this insanely speedy coaster, look at the nearby Holiday Inn Gurnee Convention Center (15,000 IHG points per night) with a free shuttle to the park or the Hampton Inn Chicago / Gurnee that is bookable for 26,000 - 30,000 Hilton Honors points per night with free breakfast.

If going from 0 to 78 miles per hour in two seconds just doesn't seem fast enough, check out Do-Dodonpa at Fuji-Q Highland in Japan. This roller coaster has the fastest acceleration launch in the world, going from 0 to 112 miles per hour in under two seconds.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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Best for dining at restaurants

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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.