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TPG: 10 things I miss about flying

May 17, 2020
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5 min read
(Photo by Wyatt Smith / The Points Guy)
TPG: 10 things I miss about flying
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As someone who usually flies 250,000+ miles and hasn't been on plane since March 1 due to coronavirus, these last two months being grounded have me itching to get back in the air, just like everyone else here at TPG.

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While I'm using this time to continue to rack up points and miles for and plan my next trip, I've also been thinking about the little things — even the usually annoying things! — I miss about being in an airport right now.

Here are 10 aspects of life on the road I'll welcome with open arms once the time comes.

1. The unmistakable smell of Auntie Anne's pretzels wafting through the terminal.

You know the smell. (Photo credit: Melanie Lieberman, The Points Guy)



2. The frantic last-call boarding announcements for the person *still drinking* at the airport Chili's, about to miss their flight to Cancun.

Ready to be back on the beach of the Ritz Carlton Cancun. (Photo by Zach Griff / The Points Guy)

Read more: 25 Years Too Old: A Review of The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun

3. The head-to-toe, rubber-gloved TSA pat down.

It's been so long. (Featured photo by Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)

4. The feeling of daggers in my back as I jump to the front of the TSA PreCheck line thanks to my CLEAR status.

When it's time to head back to the airport, avoid long security lines by signing up for expedited security programs such as TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Read more: Should you get TSA PreCheck or CLEAR — or both?

5. The excitement of walking onto a plane with delusions of grandeur, thinking your seatmate is going to be your soul mate — but it's usually just another tired business traveler.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_xk4Pcp9ag/

6. Trying to find the Uber driver — "Are you in the inside lane or the outer lane?!" — and time it *exactly right* to minimize time outside.

We still don't miss LAX-it though. (Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

7. Shopping at Hudson News, trying to find a healthy but delicious snack and coming up empty once again — and just going with mesquite barbecue deep fried potato chips.

We never thought we'd see the day... yet here we are. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

8. Waiting in endless Starbucks lines, wishing they had mobile ordering in airports.

When you gotta go, you gotta go — catch a plane, that is. Photo by Jeffrey Greenberg/UIG via Getty Images

Read more: The best credit cards to use at Starbucks

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9. Eating nuts on a plane as if they are the most exclusive delicacy in the world — even when I don't really like nuts, but they just taste better warm on a plane.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7EASLend4a/

10. Feeling like Norm from "Cheers" walking into a Centurion Lounge, seeing the friendly check-in agents and countless TPG readers, and knowing I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz_QLvzB4VX/

Want more of Brian's thoughts on travel, points and miles, and much more? Sign up for TPG's new weekly newsletter written by Brian Kelly.

What weird things do you miss most about being in an airport? Let us know in the comments.

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  • Annual Fee is $325.
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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
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.