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The Points Guy Hires Ben Mutzabaugh as Senior Aviation Editor

March 11, 2019
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3 min read
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The Points Guy Hires Ben Mutzabaugh as Senior Aviation Editor
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Today, The Points Guy (TPG), the leading online resource for all things points, miles and resourceful travel experiences, announced that Ben Mutzabaugh is joining the growing media platform as Senior Aviation Editor.

Mutzabaugh comes to The Points Guy from USA TODAY, where he is best known for launching the industry-leading Today in the Sky blog in 2002. This new hire comes on the heels of another big win for the TPG team when it brought on Scott Mayerowitz, formerly deputy business editor at The Associated Press, who joined as Executive Editorial Director in January, supervising all the company’s editorial sections.

“The Points Guy editorial has grown significantly year-over-year since our launch, and we’re thrilled to push our content offerings and platforms even further through the hiring of Ben Mutzabaugh and Scott Mayerowitz.” says CEO and founder Brian Kelly. “We’re bringing the best of our industry aboard and plan to build out more breaking news, investigative reporting and industry insight to our platform.”

Ben Mutzabaugh, TPG's incoming Senior Aviation Editor.

In Mutzabaugh’s new role he will be spearheading TPG’s airlines coverage. Working closely with Managing Editor Alberto Riva, he will continue the media company’s growth into more in-depth coverage of the travel industry.

Mutzabaugh will also oversee TPG’s team of airline reporters, airline flight reviews and special aviation data reports. He has received numerous accolades for his work with Today in the Sky, including the Society of American Travel Writers' Lowell Thomas Award for the nation's "Best Travel Blog” and the Editor & Publishers’ Eppy award for the nation’s best business blog. Ben prefers a window seat and, if it’s December, you can probably find him on a mileage run as he tries to accumulate enough qualifying miles to jump to the next elite tier.

"I’ve watched the Points Guy grow since it first launched, and it’s really incredible to see what’s it’s become in such a short time. With its widening content, it’s really become a go-to site for all things aviation.” says Mutzabaugh. “I’m excited for the next chapter and look forward to joining this talented team.”

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Mayerowitz’s role is focused on helping TPG continue to build out its coverage across all parts of the travel industry and further guide readers on the best ways to use points and miles to affordably see the world.

Before joining The Associated Press in 2011 as a reporter covering airlines, Scott was a business and travel reporter and producer for ABC News, and a statehouse reporter for the Providence Journal in Rhode Island. He brings with him many years of experience covering the travel industry, along with a deep knowledge of credit cards and travel loyalty programs. He prefers the window seat, when practical.

These two big hires come at a time of rapid editorial growth for The Points Guy, which now sees 8.8 million monthly unique visitors and has over 3 million social media followers. Both Mutzabaugh and Mayerowitz will use their experience and expertise to help steer the continued growth for the TPG editorial team.

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  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or 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.
  • $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.
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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.