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TPG and Make-A-Wish: Using the power of travel to make kids' wishes come true

April 29, 2024
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5 min read
Best Flight Ever
TPG and Make-A-Wish: Using the power of travel to make kids' wishes come true
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Here at TPG, we believe travel has the power to change the world. Since 2017, we have raised and donated more than $5,000,000 and 70,000,000 points and miles to charitable organizations, including one that is changing the world one family at a time by granting life-changing wishes to deserving kids.

Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has made more than 500,000 wishes come true for kids diagnosed with critical illnesses and their families. About 80% of those wishes involve travel. In fact, Make-A-Wish needs more than 2.8 billion miles — the equivalent of 50,000 round-trip tickets — to cover the travel wishes made each year.

TPG has partnered with Make-A-Wish since 2017 to raise awareness, funds and the airline miles necessary to give kids facing critical illnesses a chance to just be kids.

In honor of World Wish Day, held annually April 29, here's a look back at the work Make-A-Wish does for families, TPG's partnership with Make-A-Wish and how you can support this important cause.

Throughout the years, TPG has supported Make-A-Wish through donation drives, campaigns and live events. In 2018, TPG partnered with Make-A-Wish through a Prizeo campaign where donors could win travel-related prizes by donating to the organization.

The Impact Award was presented to Joshie Ford, Joshua Ford and Vanessa Ford during the TPG Awards at The Glasshouse in New York City on Nov. 6, 2023. DAVE KOTINSKY/GETTY IMAGES/THE POINTS GUY

Make-A-Wish has also been a fixture at the TPG Awards. In 2022, TPG donated $1 to Make-A-Wish for every vote cast, leading to a $25,000 donation and the opportunity for TPG's audience to support the organization. At the 2023 TPG Awards, we recognized Make-A-Wish onstage, highlighting the organization's transformative impact on children and their families and presenting a $20,000 donation.

Scene from TPG's Best Flight Ever
The Best Flight Ever. WYATT SMITH/THE POINTS GUY

Also in 2023, TPG partnered with Make-A-Wish and American Airlines to bring 26 Make-A-Wish families to Walt Disney World on the "Best Flight Ever." The Best Flight Ever started at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) with a party at the gate and a red carpet entrance to the jet bridge, with TPG's founder, Brian Kelly, serving as the flight's "chief fun attendant." Once on board, there were snacks, burgers, sing-a-longs and even a water cannon salute when the plane landed at Orlando International Airport (MCO).

Give Kids the World Village. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY

For these families, the Best Flight Ever kicked off a week of magic at Give Kids the World Village — a storybook-themed resort near Orlando for children with critical illnesses and their families — and Orlando's theme parks completely free of charge.

Make-A-Wish can only provide travel wishes such as this because of your generous donations. You can get involved in several ways:

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  • Donate hotel points: This option is available for Best Western Rewards and Hilton Honors points.
  • Donate airline miles: This option is available for United MileagePlus miles, JetBlue TrueBlue points, American Airlines AAdvantage miles, Delta SkyMiles and Southwest Rapid Rewards points.
  • Make a monetary donation: One-time and monthly donation options are available.
  • Donate Chase Ultimate Rewards points using the Pay Yourself Back feature: As part of a new partnership between Chase and Make-A-Wish, you can donate to Make-A-Wish then redeem Ultimate Rewards for the value of the donation by using the Pay Yourself Back feature through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

Whether it's sending a child to Hawaii, Paris or Walt Disney World, your donations can give kids the hope and encouragement they need to overcome life's toughest challenges. And it isn't only children dealing with critical illnesses who benefit from having their wishes granted. The experience allows their family to have fun and bond while making lifelong memories.

The Points Guy's partnership with Make-A-Wish is a perfect example of how travel can change the world. Together, we can create hope, joy and lots of smiles for children facing critical illnesses.

Related reading:

Featured image by WYATT SMITH/THE POINTS GUY
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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Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

Apply for American Express® Gold Card
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 4X points

Intro offer

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

Annual Fee

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Recommended Credit

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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
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Cons

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
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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 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked 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

American Express® Gold Card

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.