All alone in first class, 6 wild things at the TSA and more: Zach Honig's favorite stories of 2019
As with many of my TPG colleagues, it's been a very busy, points-and-miles-fueled year. In 2019, I spent more than 125 nights away from home, flying some 223,152 miles around the globe. I got to shoot a video series in Australia, cover the Paris Air Show and visit Japan with some of my closest friends.
I'm constantly inspired by my fantastic colleagues at The Points Guy, but two have me thinking about this year in particular — Benji Stawski and Liz Hund — following 2019 recaps of their own. So, without further ado, I'd like to share my 2019 story highlights, including the work I've most enjoyed producing here at TPG.
1. Dreamliner for one, please: Oman Air in First Class on a 787-9
A world-class first-class flight without a single other passenger in the cabin? It probably doesn't come as much of a surprise that this one made the very top of the list.
2. Picking up a vintage Delta DC-7 in the 110-degree Arizona desert
This assignment was an absolute dream for any aviation geek, despite the insane desert heat. I may have been sweating up a storm under the 110-degree Arizona sun, but I got to spend two days with an aviation legend — and I'm not just talking about the plane.
3. Newark to Cape Town on United's most exciting inaugural to date
Inaugural flights are often a ton of fun, and United really does it up right. This time around, the team even printed custom pajamas to mark the occasion — UA's very first nonstop flight from Newark (EWR) to Cape Town (CPT).
4. How to use a smartphone to photograph the northern lights
I managed to see the northern lights once before, from a plane, but traveling to the middle of Alaska to catch them from the ground was an entirely different adventure. Miraculously, I managed to snap some very cool shots without much equipment — just a steady hand and a brand-new phone!
5. 6 wild things we learned (and saw!) at TSA headquarters
I've always been impressed with the TSA's fun Instagram page, and when I reached out about meeting the team, social media manager David Johnston responded right away. Our own social media lead, Caitlin Riddell, joined me for what turned out to be an exceptional D.C. day.
6. How to book crazy-cheap first and biz flights by starting overseas
We don't accept free flights here at TPG, but that doesn't mean we can't get creative when it comes time to book! Here, I share some of my more common tricks, letting me score coveted inaugural seats — on the cheap.
7. How and why I travel the world with only a Tumi backpack
Rolling luggage can get in the way when you're trying to discreetly capture loads of pictures as you board a plane. So, I usually just end up leaving mine at home. It's pretty incredible how much you can squeeze into an ordinary Tumi backpack, especially if you don't mind doing some ironing once you land.
8. We got a first look at the incredible new St. Regis Hong Kong
This one was all about being in the right place at the right time. I had a free day in Hong Kong after reviewing United's new Premium Plus product that just so happened to coincide with the opening of one of the city's most-anticipated new hotels, the St. Regis. I was able to set up a last-minute tour, and I've dreamed about booking an overnight stay ever since.
9. Apple's camera killer: A review of the iPhone 11 Pro Max
I was a gadget reviewer in my previous life — I produced the world's first oversized smartphone review back in my Engadget days — so I'm always excited to try new gear. I was especially excited about this one, since the iPhone 11 Pro is a total game-changer for travelers, too.
10. Learn how to maximize your points with TPG's Miles Away podcast
2019 has turned me into a podcast fiend! I had barely listened to any before I launched my own this year, and now I'm addicted, burning through episode after episode during my NYC commutes. Season 1 of my TPG podcast, Miles Away, was such a success that it'll be back — even bigger and better than before — later next year.
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