We Went Behind the Scenes of Planning a Make-A-Wish Trip
Think about how much goes into planning a big family vacation. Now, multiply that by involving lots of additional partners and stakeholders; addressing special medical needs; and being mindful of time constraints around treatments, illnesses and more.
That's the reality for every one of the thousands of Make-A-Wish trips that are granted each and every year.
TPG has been a proud partner of Make-A-Wish for more than three years, and we regularly team up with them on charitable projects (think: the epic giveaway of 1 million United Airlines miles).
As you probably know, Make-A-Wish grants wishes for children with critical illnesses all over the country. About 77% of the wishes include travel, making it one of Make-A-Wish's largest expenses. Here's what goes into these trips, what it is like to take one and how you can help.
It Takes a Village to Make a Wish Trip Happen
As you might imagine, it takes a village to make a wish trip happen -- wish kids and their families, volunteers and Make-A-Wish employees — including Make-A-Wish America (the national office); the child's originating chapter (the chapter that serves the region where he or she lives); and the wish trip's assisting chapter (the chapter that serves where he or she is going) are all involved. And that doesn't even include mention of the local and national corporate donors, individual donors and more who provide the resources to make it all happen.
Some common steps that go into creating a wish trip include:
- Identifying the child and the wish by working with local volunteers, known as "wish granters."
- Medical wish clearance to make sure that travel is appropriate and safe for the wish child, as well as identifying if any medical equipment is required.
- Partnering with the family to identify wish-trip dates, as well as coordinating air travel by using either donated points, miles or cash donations.
- Coordinating accommodations for the wish kid and all wish-trip participants after the flights are booked. Make-A-Wish supporters donate rooms, hotel points and/or dollars.
- Depending on where the wish child is going, a car rental may be needed.
- Sharing a wish-trip itinerary with the family. Typically, this happens at a wish send-off party at which the child finds out all the details of his or her upcoming trip.
- Putting together a wish packet that includes money to cover expenses, typically raised from individual and corporate donors so that there is no financial burden on the family.
- Enhancing the trip, including potential discounts and/or free experiences, an airport send-off and greeting and even the occasional accommodation surprises — decorations, snacks and more.
Like we said: It takes a village.
The Effort Is Worth It for Wish Kids
But don't just take it from us. Take it from Josephine, a 14-year-old girl with a neuromuscular disorder who went to Alaska in January of this year. Thanks to Make-A-Wish, she saw the Northern Lights for the first time — an experience that she calls "truly spectacular."
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByEcDiwnUE_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
"I picked to go to Alaska," she said, "because I wanted to go to a place I could never go to under normal circumstances. Due to the difficult mobility and needed accommodations for travel, it would be hard for me to go to Alaska ... I've traveled to the desert, I've traveled up to the mountains but I never had [an] experience [like the] unique bone-chilling weather in Alaska! An up-close and personal view of the beautiful snowflakes falling from the sky! The soft, plush-like snow everywhere. And when will one have the chance to go and see the Northern Lights? Trust me, this is a truly once-in-a-life time experience. During this trip it felt as though anything was possible."
Thanks to the generosity of national and local travel donors, Josephine and her family were able to stay at Pike's Waterfront Lodge in Fairbanks, Alaska. They visited the Museum of the North, tried local foods and, of course, took a Northern Lights Tour.
"This trip opened up a whole new world for me," Josephine said, "to explore with my family without worrying about any difficulties I may force on them during the travel. I can cruise on an airplane and see the wide blue sky just like any other kid!"
Josephine's story is heartwarming, but the reality is that Make-A-Wish is "only able to grant wishes for one out of every two eligible children," according to Richard K. Davis, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. "Travel wishes are waiting — and their fulfillment is dependent on the ongoing generosity of individual and corporate donors who contribute their unused airline miles, expiring travel points and dollars.”
How You Can Help
That's exactly where you come in. Make-A-Wish needs your help so that other children can have incredible experiences. The organization needs close to 3 billion airline miles and points to cover every travel wish each year. TPG himself doesn't have that many, so this is something that, again, requires a huge team effort.
Those willing to spare any American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and JetBlue miles can donate them quickly and easily at wish.org/travel. Make-A-Wish tells TPG that, once miles are donated to the organization, they never expire. As an added perk to the one doing the donating, know that in some cases, donating miles can even keep the rest of your own miles from expiring by creating activity in your frequent flyer account.
You can donate your points and miles directly to Make-A-Wish here. And of course, cash is also always appreciated by the organization to make travel dreams come true. (Here are the best credit cards to use for charitable donations.)
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.