From national parks to theme parks, from baseball to bourbon: 7 unique passport programs
Editor’s note: The team at The Points Guy loves to travel, but now is not the time for unnecessary trips. Health officials note that the fastest way to return to normalcy is to stop coming in contact with others. That includes ceasing travel. We are publishing some travel guides because we should all use this time to think about and plan our next adventures. TPG doesn’t advise booking travel until later this year — and even then, be mindful of cancellation policies.
We've written about the coolest passport stamps in the world to collect and 14 places where you can collect extra passport stamps. But for travelers looking to tick off achievements of another kind, there are some pretty unique passport programs that can help you keep track of travel just within the United States.
From national parks to ballparks to libraries, here are some other locations where you can collect unofficial passport stamps, as well as other passport programs that offer discounts and perks.
Passport to your national parks
The "Passport to Your National Parks" program, which has been around for more than 30 years, is about tracking down amazing natural wonders within a single country, the United States. Owners can pick up "cancellations" (stamps) at almost every one of the 400+ National Park Service locations, which encompass more than 84 million acres of protected lands. For the truly dedicated, there are more accessories to complete your collection. Be sure to check out our guide for planning your next trip to popular parks like Yellowstone, and, while you're at it, read one reader's success story of visiting six national parks for $266 as well as our tips for saving on your next national park vacation.
For fans of state parks, many U.S. states offer their own passport programs as well.
National Wildlife Refuge Blue Goose Passport
National parks have been called "America's best idea," while national wildlife refuges, first established in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, have been dubbed "America's best-kept secret." Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, these lands, which take in more than 560 sites and 150 million acres across the country, aim to protect native fish, wildlife, and plants, while also offering opportunities to hike, canoe, kayak, bird-watch, and more. They may garner less attention than national parks but wildlife refuges still attract more than 47 million visitors annually. To help them keep track of their visits, the system has created the Blue Goose Passport program for collecting stamps at each national wildlife refuge.
There's at least one refuge in each state where you can find physical copies of this handy PDF of the Blue Goose Passport for sale. Most refuges charge no fee to enter.
Washington D.C.’s Around the World Embassy Tour and passport
Once a year it's possible to go on a speed tour around the world as part of the "Around the World Embassy Tour" in Washington, D.C. To prove you've visited, the embassy tour offers a souvenir passport for sale. In years past, the embassies of Japan, Indonesia, Bolivia, Bangladesh, Guatemala, Brazil and more have opened their doors, showcasing their country's art, dance, music and, of course, food.
Passport to presidential libraries
Do you have a personal goal to see all 13 presidential libraries and museums in the U.S.? There's a souvenir passport for sale for tracking your visits. After collecting stamps for all 13 locations, you're also eligible for a gift. Unlike the other presidential libraries and museums, the Barack Obama Presidential Library plans to be all-digital. Unlike public libraries, most of the presidential libraries and museums aren't free, with admission fees ranging between $10 to $20 for most of them.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Passport
For bourbon lovers, this passport is not only free, but it also comes with a prize for collecting stamps from every one of the 16 participating distilleries, including Jim Beam and Maker's Mark: an official Kentucky Bourbon Trail tasting glass. To get started, print out this passport or pick up a physical copy in person at the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center in Louisville, where the trail kicks off. If you want more proof of your accomplishment, there's also an official Kentucky Bourbon Trail "Completion" T-shirt for sale. Of course, there is one important thing to note about this program: This passport is only available to those 21 and older.
Wine regions also offer passport programs, like the paid Napa Valley Passport and paid Sonoma Passport, which provide offers for wine tastings and discounts.
MLB and MILB Pass-Port program
He first set out to visit all 50 states, but then Timothy Parks was inspired to accomplish a new goal: to visit all 30 cathedrals of baseball — the major-league parks. His travels led to the creation of MLB Pass-Port and MILB Pass-Port, two souvenir passports (priced between $19 and $75, depending on how many bells and whistles you want), which holders can use to collect stamps for free at validation stations located within every major league and minor league baseball stadium.
Disney Premier Passport
As with the winery passports, Disney's Premier Passport program isn’t so much about collecting stamps as it is about getting access to perks and offers — including admission to Disney theme parks in Florida and California (with no blackout dates), theme park parking, photo downloads, and discounts on theme park dining, merchandise, spa services and more — all for the price tag of $2,199 (per pass). Cheaper options are available for Disney World/Florida-only and Disneyland/California-only passports. For more ways to save, check out our "How much does a Walt Disney World vacation cost?" and "How much does a Disneyland vacation cost?" guides.
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.