TPG's 2018 Year of Giving in Review
In 2018, I've been focusing on meaningful travel, and a large part of that goes beyond just having memorable experiences with family and friends. It means giving back, and both TPG staff members and readers have worked hard this year to do so, donating over one million dollars to charity!
We hope to dedicate even more time and resources to giving back in 2019 (and every year after that) but first, here's a review of some of the ways we've made a positive impact this year. Of course, we couldn't have done it without the help of our generous and loyal readers, so thank you for making this year a special one and helping TPG help others.
Make-a-Wish
TPG worked with Prizeo to create a campaign where TPG readers were entered to win 1,000,000 United MileagePlus miles and the Trip That Transforms, as well as a trip to New York City with a minimum $10. Thanks to reader donations, we were able to give the Make-a-Wish Foundation a special tribute and a check for $200,000 at the recent TPG Awards.
PeaceJam
PeaceJam is an organization close to my heart, and we've been able to work alongside this amazing charity more than ever this past year. The nonprofit has been nominated eight times for the Nobel Peace Prize for its award-winning curriculum and transformational youth leadership conferences that bring young people face-to-face with world leaders.
In 2018, The Points Guy team supported five different conferences in Liberia, Ghana, South Africa, Guatemala and East Timor, working alongside Nobel Peace Prize laureates like Jodi Williams and Rigoberta Menchú. Interacting with the incredible youth who are advocating to improve their countries and change the world has taught me something important: It's never too early or too late to make a difference. It's truly powerful to be part of such an amazing organization, and I can't wait to see how TPG and PeaceJam will work together in 2019 and beyond to promote peace.
GBOWEE Peace Foundation Africa-USA
Through our work with PeaceJam, I've gotten to know some incredible women, many of whom have won the Nobel Peace prize. One of the most powerful is Leymah Gbowee, who has worked tirelessly to create peace in her home country, which was torn apart by war and violence. She’s the leader of the Liberia Reconciliation Initiative, a member of the Nobel Women’s Initiative, the executive director of the Women, Peace and Security program, a member of Security Network Africa and she even has her own peace foundation, GBOWEE.
Hearing her story struck a cord with me, and that's why TPG has donated $100,000 to the GBOWEE Peace Foundation Africa-USA, in addition to matching donations offered by attendees at our TPG Awards event.
Rainbow Railroad
In many countries, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transidentified people still live in fear for their freedom, their safety and their lives with nowhere to turn as the government and police don't protect them and instead, persecute them. Rainbow Railroad helps these people get out of danger to a safe place far from state-enabled violence and murder.
I'm very proud of the fact that, thanks to TPG's Prizeo campaign with Rainbow Railroad, 20 LGBTQI lives were saved. The campaign, which included many reader donations, raised over $200,000 for the nonprofit.
UNICEF
TPG and readers donated $10,000 toward filling a Norwegian 737 MAX with over 26,000 pounds of supplies for people in refugee camps in Chad. Editor-at-large Zach Honig rode along on the "most important flight of the year" from Norway to Chad, helping to load and unload the supplies.
Puerto Rico Recovery
Donating time and energy can often be just as powerful as donating money. The TPG team flew down to Puerto Rico in early 2018 to help repair damage caused by Hurricane Maria. Not only did we rebuild a few roofs and clean up the beach, but we also stopped by a children's hospital to bring sick kids a little cheer around the festive Three King's Day.
Goalkeepers
If there's one thing TPG can always help with, it's miles. We partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to provide five million airline miles to help fly activists associated with women and girls organizations across the globe. We specifically helped women like Nimco Ali, who fights against female genital mutilation. We flew Ali to her home country of Somaliland to advocate for legislation change on FGM.
#BStrong
Sometimes, helping people close to home can be the most beneficial. TPG donated $5,000 to Bethenney Frankel's BStrong campaign to help victims affected by Hurricane Florence here in the US.
Besides the aforementioned organizations, TPG (always with the help of our loyal readers) has also donated time, money and other resources to nonprofits such as Give Kids The World, A-Team Foundation, March For Our Lives and more.
If there's an organization you think would be a great fit for TPG, let us know, and we'll take a look! Here's to having a productive, safe and happy 2019, when we hope to match — or top — our giving efforts in 2019 and beyond. Are you with us?
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.