Once in a lifetime: Go behind the scenes of TPG's journey to the Guatemala PeaceJam conference
Chances are you're here because you love travel just as much as we do: killing time in the best airport lounges, clearing the upgrade list, flying new metal, falling back into a sea of pillows on a massive King bed at your favorite hotel at the end of a long day. But the one thing that transcends any perk or points redemption when it comes to travel is the people you share an experience with. Which is what made TPG's recent trip to Guatemala for the PeaceJam youth leadership conference so incredibly special.
PeaceJam is a nonprofit organization that TPG has been working with since 2014, whose mission is to foster young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their communities, and the world. The organization does this through inspiration from Nobel Peace Laureates such as Desmond Tutu and Leymah Gbowee, who pass on the spirit, skills, and wisdom they embody to create educational programming for youth around the world.
At the heart of this trip were 150 incredibly inspiring youth from across Guatemala as well as Nobel Peace Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum, who runs the Rigoberta Menchú Tum Foundation to promote the human rights of indigenous peoples. Menchú Tum has led a life dedicated to activism, starting at a young age after her two brothers, father and mother were killed during the Guatemalan Civil War. PeaceJam brought this group together, along with a few lucky members of the TPG team, in the name of leadership development, global citizenship education, youth network building, and self-empowerment.
During this year's conference, members of the TPG team had the opportunity to lead development workshops such as 'Entrepreneurship for Social Change' and participate in the painting of a mural in the city of Chimaltenango to honor the UN Year of Indigenous Languages. TPG himself also spent time with the winners of our fellowship program, which supports kids like Inés Girón de León, who will be studying for her Bachelor's in Legal and Social Sciences in the city of Quetzaltenango with the goal of practicing law or social work to fight discrimination, particularly against the women in Guatemala. Most importantly, the crowd — young and old alike — hung on every word as Menchú Tum shared what inspires her to continue her work, and the youth in turn spoke about what inspires them.
In between events, the TPG team explored the beautiful country of Guatemala, from hiking up a volcano to wandering the streets of Antigua, a Spanish colonial city and UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 1500s and is lined with some of the most colorful and striking architecture in the world.
Here at TPG giving back is a part of our DNA, and part of our passion for travel, points and miles is not only helping readers but also giving back to the community. We believe that travel is more than just visiting new places — it's about inspiring change through education and action.
In 2018 alone, TPG's sponsorship of the PeaceJam program affected the lives of more than 11,000 kids in five developing countries (stay tuned for our upcoming trips to South Africa, Liberia and Ghana). TPG has donated more than $400,000 to support PeaceJam and the Laureates' work with youth, and you, too, can get involved by making a donation here.
To learn more about the PeaceJam organization, check out this video, follow them on social media at @PeaceJamGuatemala or follow the hashtag #PeaceJam.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees