Here's where TPG kids are looking forward to traveling to next
The travel industry saw a boom this summer, with travelers clamoring to regain their vacations. The U.S. finally saw signs of hope regarding COVID-19 cases, as numbers were down, vaccination rates were up and the economy continued on an upward trend.
Recently, the pandemic seems to have taken a turn for the worse, as the delta variant has posed a threat to families — particularly those with young children — and many parents wait patiently for a COVID-19 vaccine to be made available for children under age 12.
Adults aren't the only ones pouting in response to having to cancel another trip. Add kids to that list, too.
With school back in session and fall travel plans derailed for many, we asked some TPG kiddos (the families of TPG staffers) to share with us where they want to go -- when it's safe to do so -- on their next great travel adventure.
Here's what they had to say.
Juan Ruiz, Credit Cards Editor
Juan's twin daughters can’t wait to visit Paris and see the Eiffel Tower live and in person one day. They've seen the movie "Leap" (an animated film based in Paris) a dozen or so times and want to experience the City of Lights for themselves. Last year, they said their dream was to visit Hawaii — where they spent their spring break this year — so Paris is next on their list.
Related: Visiting Paris in Winter: Is It Worth the Trip for Families?
Rachel Malone-Olson, Vice President
Rachel just got back from a family vacation to the beach and her two-year-old can’t wait to go back. When asked where she wants to go next, it’s no surprise that she said, “Water, swimming, swimsuit, water.”
Related: 13 of the best beaches in Florida
Benét Wilson, Senior Credit Cards Editor
Benet’s 15-year-old daughter, Carmen, told us that she wants to go to South America on her path to traveling to every continent. In particular, she’s considering Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, because of the beaches, the weather and the food.
Related: Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro With Kids
Nick Ewen, Senior Editor
Nick’s six-and-a-half-year-old daughter says she’d like to go to the Galapagos. When asked why, she said, “Because I’ve never been there and I also want to see the Galapagos penguins.” She’s also excited to see 100-year-old enormous tortoises.
Related: How I saved thousands of dollars by DIY-ing an island-hopping trip in the Galapagos
Nathan Richardson, Executive Vice President
Nathan’s twins are big ski fans and requested to return to Swiss Ski School. They’ve also requested that wherever they go for Thanksgiving, they’d like there to be a kids club like Round Hill. At ski school, they love getting tape bubble gum at lunch and the kids club has a race car.
Related: How to plan your ski trip with points and miles
Scott Mayerowitz, Executive Editorial Director
At the beginning of the pandemic, Scott’s six-year-old daughter missed school so much that she would play pretend school at home. Now she’s got her imagination set on Hawaii, including a fancy buffet and lei at a traditional luau.
Related: Everything you need to know about visiting Hawaii now
Summer Hull, Editorial Director
It should be no surprise that Summer’s kids are looking forward to their next Disney-themed vacation. When Disney was closed, they spent time watching ride-through videos on YouTube and when things get stressful, they like to list their favorite rides and snacks and imagine what they would do when they were able to visit again.
She and her family have visited Disney throughout the pandemic but felt a little hesitant during a visit this summer after the mask mandates had been removed. Luckily, as of the end of July, Disney reinstated the mask mandate while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
Mitchell Stoutin, Senior Director of Engineering
Mitchell recently discussed with his four-year-old son that an old friend of his builds spaceships in Los Angeles for SpaceX. When asked if he’d like to go see those, his son replied, “Yes. I want to go into space.” Good thing Mitchell might be able to redeem miles for a space flight on Virgin Galactic.
Related: Virgin Galactic selling tickets to space for an out-of-this-world price – $450,000
Ariana Arghandewal, Points and Miles Editor
Ariana and her 10-year-old niece are equally obsessed with Turkey and when asked where she wants to go next, her enthusiasm was evident. “Turkey is well-known for ancient artifacts, religious history and tea. There are many things to do…”, she writes. “All my classmates think it’s a poor country at war, but it’s not. I want to go back and spread the word about what a special place it is.”
Related: How to get to Istanbul on points and miles
Ashley Onadele, Writer
Unfortunately, Ashley decided to cancel her family's upcoming trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. She'd been getting her toddlers excited for their beach vacation, so it’s no surprise that her three-year-old son responded, “Cabo, baby!” when asked where he wanted to go next.
Related: How to get to Los Cabos on points and miles
Bottom line
Right now, with school back in session, many families are in planning mode and deciding where and when to go on their next family trip. With their canceled trips in the rearview, TPG kids, like many other children, may have desired vacation destinations on their minds. And right now, simply talking about travel with your kids or discussing where to go with them is a light at the end of the tunnel that we all sorely need.
Related: Right now, travel is my lifeboat through the pandemic
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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.