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My Trip to the Googleplex Headquarters — Plus My Google Talk (Video)

Aug. 23, 2016
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3 min read
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My Trip to the Googleplex Headquarters — Plus My Google Talk (Video)
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I’ve traveled all over the world, to some truly hard-to-reach locales, but one destination right here in the US had eluded me until recently: the Googleplex. The tech company’s headquarters in Mountain View, California, is made up of a sprawling spread of buildings, bicycles (more on that later) and busy people — and feels more like a college campus than a Silicon Valley business operation. But it’s not open to everyone: you need to know someone inside to get a tour.

Luckily, I was invited to speak at one of the company's “Talks at Google,” a series of speeches and casual interviews inside auditoriums in their Bay Area, New York and Cambridge, Massachusetts offices.

I’m in good company: Google has hosted talks with all kinds of authors, artists, activists, filmmakers, chefs, musicians, politicians, scientists — and and apparently points and miles experts — including Salman Rushdie, Bill Nye, Lady Gaga, Conan O’Brien and Stephen Colbert.

You can watch the entire talk I gave in an auditorium full of Google employees in the hour-long clip, below. I touch on many topics: mistake fares, keeping track of miles, the value of elite status, the advantages of last-minute travel, how loyalty pays off, where to find great offers, manufactured spending, how our Points for Peace and PeaceJam charities work, why I love South Africa and why I won't be flying Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) anytime soon.

Here are some more highlights from the tour:

It was great to check out the Googleplex headquarters.
Google workers can host impromptu meetings in odd places, like this VW bus.
Food is free on campus. And it’s good. Here’s a dedicated juice station. We need one of these in our office.

The famous multicolored bicycles; there are more than 1,300 located throughout the campus.

Google also created an interactive wall display of image search results relating to The Points Guy.
And finally, me in one of the massage rooms, which are on every floor of the company’s offices worldwide.

Ultimately, I was honored to be invited to give a Google Talk and I think of it as just one more indication of how much TPG has grown over the last few years. Follow me on Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to see what I'm working on next.

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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
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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.
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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.