Trip-Spiration: Thrill Seekers, Head to Dubai, UAE
Dubai, UAE is all about opulence and extravagance. Almost everything you'll encounter here is bigger — and blingier. It's home to the world's largest indoor shopping mall, the biggest aquarium, the largest automated water fountain and the biggest indoor ski park. Dubai holds over 100 Guinness World Records — did you know the city is has the world's longest handmade gold chain and the world's tallest chocolate sculpture? Dubai is growing so quickly that 20% of the world's cranes can be found in this rapidly expanding city. Now's a great time to book yourself a trip to see what all the hype is about.
What To Do
Dubai, UAE is home to the world's tallest building — the Burj Khalifa — which comes in at a formidable 2,717 feet. No visit to Dubai is complete without visiting this epic man-made structure that has over 160 floors. With hotels, shops and restaurants, you could live your whole life within the building and never leave! Check out the observation deck on the 148th floor for the best views, or plan to have tea at Atmosphere, which TPG himself did on a recent trip with his parents. If you plan to visit the higher floors around sunset, just know that you can see the sun a full two to three minutes longer than those on the ground!
Those in search of adventure will love Dubai. Both certified and non-certified divers can dive with sharks at the The Dubai Underwater Aquarium and Zoo. Sky diving is also a popular activity — seeing the man-made Palm Jumeirah from high above is truly impressive. For some activities outside the city, consider zip lining for almost two miles at Jebel Jais Flight. A little further outside of Dubai is the expansive Arabian Desert where you can have all sorts of exciting experiences such as glamping, dune bashing, sandboarding, quad tours, camel rides, falconry and more.
But not all things are new and shiny in Dubai — there's real life beyond the dizzying skyscrapers. If you crave a taste of the local culture, check out the Spice Souk, where you can buy traditional spices and herbs, or head to the Gold Souk. Do you research beforehand (like knowing the current market price of gold) to make sure you get a good deal.
The city of Abu Dhabi (the capital of the United Arab Emirates) is only an hour away, and it's worth heading there to see the famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, home to the world's largest Persian rug. Make sure to arrive fully covered, though you can rent Abayas (women) or kandouras (men) to wear over your clothes. It's best to visit around sunset when the heat is less intense and when you can get the perfect #nofilter shot of the stunning white columns and arches for your Instagram feed.
Where to Stay
Considering much of the UAE is desert, getting out of the city to stay there can be relaxing and fun. Desert activities can often be combined with a 'glamping' style stay at a desert resort. Our pick is Starwood's luxurious Al Maha. The video below outlines the incredible experience you can have there, complete with desert drives, falconry, camel rides and more.
If you prefer to stay in Dubai city, you can splurge on the Armani Hotel in the Burj, or you can try out the TPG recommended (and more affordable) La Ville Hotel & Suites Citywalk.
Getting There
Dubai (DXB) is the main hub for Emirates Airline, though a number of other carriers serve the city. Typically, you can reach Dubai from the US for around $700 round-trip on a variety of airlines. But, the best way to get there in style is Emirates first class. If you don't have $8,000 to shell out, don't panic — you can use points! Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to Emirates at a 1:1 ratio, and you can search flights and book awards through the carrier's website. If you don't have a stash of those, this informative post will help you figure out how you can use Citi ThankYou points, Chase UR points, Alaska or JAL miles to book Emirates awards in any class.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.