Sometimes, Travel Adventures Start with a Mystery
Every travel site will tell you how to do things the right way; as every traveler knows, though, sometimes things go wrong. In his bimonthly Mistake Monday series, TPG Contributor J. Keith van Straaten invites you to learn from his mistakes — his many, many mistakes. (All photos by the writer unless otherwise noted.)
When traveling, you generally know your destination by the time you get to the airport, but what if you purposely didn't? What seems like a fundamental mistake could well become a fun-filled mystery. In 1996, I embarked on such a challenge when my best friend Jason and I showed up to LAX with our names on an airline ticket, a hotel booking and a car rental, all made with our consent ... but not our full knowledge.
Western Pacific Airlines sounds like one of those made-up carriers you see in movies, but it actually once existed, marketing itself as a low-cost and fun way to fly. WestPac made a big splash in the industry by renting out the entire exterior of its planes as flying billboards, usually for casinos and hotels, but most notably for the TV show The Simpsons.
Another of WestPac's innovations was Mystery Fares. The fares themselves weren't a mystery ($69 round-trip from WestPac's Colorado Springs hub, $99 from any other airport it served; another optional $100 for hotel and car) but the destinations were; until you checked in at the airport, you wouldn't know which of 22 cities you would be visiting. To some folks this might have sounded like a nightmare, but to me this seemed extremely exciting.
A month before we left, I presented the full spectrum of possibilities to Jason:
1. We could end up having an amazing weekend in New York — airfare, hotel and rental car included — for less than $200!
2. Worst-case scenario, we could end up in Tulsa.
Suitably informed of the odds, we paid our $199 and gleefully waited for fate to spin its wheel.
The day before we left, we received a hint from the airline: a weather report for our (still unnamed) destination city and a time to check in at LAX. I could have deduced the city by going online and cross-referencing the forecast with WestPac's departure schedule, but I preferred to be a good sport and live in the unknown. (Plus, this was 1996 — my internet was slow and I didn't want to use up my AOL minutes.)
On our day of departure, I was never more excited to fly — anywhere. Upon check-in at the airport, Jason and I were each handed Mystery Dossiers, envelopes labeled with our name that contained our tickets and paperwork. The time had come to receive our destination/destiny.
Our mission, should we choose to accept it, was ... Tulsa.
With a mixture of laughter and groans, we high-fived and pledged to make the best of our worst-case scenario.
Three hours of low-budget flying later, Jason and I arrived in Oklahoma, picked up our Mystery rental car, and headed to our Mystery hotel, aka the DoubleTree Downtown Tulsa. We grabbed an alternative weekly newspaper and whatever maps we could find, and over warm cookies, we plotted our weekend.
We then proceeded to have a blast. Turns out, Tulsa had blues bars, universities and even a Waffle House with an all-you-can-eat menu. You know: culture!
Also, Oklahoma was (and I believe still is) located in America's heartland, which afforded us an unexpected travel opportunity. I had long held the dream of visiting all fifty states and Tulsa was barely 100 miles from two I still needed in my collection. Even cooler, with two of Oklahoma's tripoint borders nearby, we could visit four US states in the course of an hour.
With stops at weird abandoned gas stations, photos at crazy church signs and unexpectedly delicious breakfasts, the weekend flew by and soon we were back at the airport for our flight home.
Checking in at the counter, I found myself feeling a strange mix of emotions: grateful for good times with my friend, glad to be going home to my bed and yet oddly disappointed that I knew where I was headed. At the gate, I looked at the board behind the agent, held my hand up to cover the words “Los Angeles” and wondered what mysteries might lie ahead.
The Travel Lessons:
- Allowing for some mystery and adventure while traveling is awesome — and you don't have to be an international spy to do it.
- Stripped down from all the hassles, flying is fun. Amid a hurricane of potential stresses and complaints, it's great to remember that boarding an airplane at your home airport and getting off that same plane hundreds (or even thousands) of miles away is amazing.
- Tulsa ain't so bad. Keep in mind that most places have fun things to do, once you give them half a chance. It's been almost 20 years since I took this trip, and I've still yet to encounter a town that can't keep me entertained for at least a weekend.
Ever taken off on a trip without any idea where you were going? We'd love to know where you ended up, so please share in the comments below!
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| 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. |
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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.