Inside the 2016 TPG Holiday Soirée at the Intrepid
Last night, The Points Guy was thrilled to welcome friends of the site, the TPG team, family and readers to our second annual Holiday Soirée — this year, at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. The night featured an appearance by Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú Tum and an intimate performance by Grammy-nominated artist Gavin DeGraw.
The whole event was incredible — from the food and drink to the spectacular photo opportunities with some storied aircraft to mingling with TPG readers and other points and miles enthusiasts. Here's a rundown of how the night unfolded:
7:30pm
Guests began to arrive at the Intrepid Museum. Following a path lined by pink lights and the new TPG logo, attendees made their way from the check-in desk-inspired welcome area to the party, passing a massive screen detailing the work TPG's been doing with PeaceJam (more on that later).
From there, guests made their way down the long corridor lined with aircraft and helicopters of all shapes and sizes — true AvGeek heaven.
Once through the corridor, guests arrived at the party, welcomed by the new TPG logo, which we're excited to share with you now. Our clean new logo replaces the airplane icon with an arrow, which suggests forward motion — and indicates we're a travel lifestyle brand that goes beyond aviation. Stay tuned early next year for even more new TPG launches — including a whole new website.
From there, the drinks were flowing and the hors d'oeuvres trays made their rounds. Drinks ranged from specialty cocktails like the First Class to Champagne, wine, beer and spirits. The huge interior of the aircraft carrier was perfect — plenty of space to mingle — plus, we were inside a historic ship!
8:45pm
TPG stepped on stage to officially welcome everyone to the holiday soirée. After a brief introduction of the TPG team, we looked at how the site has grown throughout 2016 — we now get 3.3 million unique visitors a month. And in the past 12 months, there have been 100 million visits, and 25 million unique visitors have come to the site.
Everything from hitting 1 million Likes on Facebook in April to launching the legendary Chase Sapphire Reserve Card and hitting 3 million visitors for the first time in August!
After an introduction from TPG and a look at the change that Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum has brought to her home country of Guatemala, Menchú Tum stepped on stage and detailed the work of PeaceJam. An organization that's truly making a difference in the lives of youth, PeaceJam teams with Nobel Peace Prize winners to bring their teachings to communities around the world.
PeaceJam co-founders Dawn Engle and Ivan Suvanjieff, who couldn't make the party, recorded a video, which played on stage. In it, they thanked TPG for his constant support and contributions to PeaceJam. Plus, one of the highlights of the night: PeaceJam Director of Programs Kate Cumbo awarded TPG with the title of PeaceJam Global Ambassador — a true honor.
9:55pm
After a bit more mingling, TPG went back on stage to announce the winners of the night's giveaways. If you weren't aware, we teamed up with Starwood Preferred Guest to offer 10 readers the chance to come to the party with an SPG Moments package. The highlight: a performance by Gavin DeGraw.
The giveaways for the night were fantastic, and six guests went home with a variety of prizes. Here's what we gave away, and many thanks to our partners who donated these gifts:
- SPG: Two premium tickets to an MSG event of the winner's choice
- SPG: Five free night awards at up to a Category 6 property
- Norwegian Air: Round-trip airfare for two people in Premium Class from the US to Europe
- Norwegian Air: Round-trip airfare for two people in economy from the US to the French Caribbean
- BLADE: Two seats on a scheduled Bounce-by-the-seat flight
- JetBlue: Two tickets in Mint for a domestic flight
After an exciting giveaway, it was time for DeGraw to take the stage. For such a nontraditional venue, he and his band put on a lively performance.
They played all of their classics — from "I Don't Want to Be" to "Chariot" — and a cover of James Blake's "Let It Go."
10:30pm
Gavin's set was a great way to cap off an incredible evening. On their way out, guests again passed through the same corridor lined with airplanes, helicopters and museum exhibits.
After grabbing their coats before heading back outside, each guest picked up a TPG swag bag. Inside the bag, guests discovered various TPG goodies, including an SPG umbrella and a SKROSS Pro-World travel adapter, which is a great addition to any international traveler's inventory and can be used in more than 220 countries.
From beginning to end, the night was spectacular. Celebrating the accomplishments of The Points Guy in 2016 and looking forward to all that 2017 has in store for the site made for a great night!
Were you at the TPG holiday soirée last night?
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.