MilesBuzz! - goldpoints - fly the concorde for $1111

hey everyone!

well, first an update - for all of you following my adventures, it seems as though the goldpoints/valuemags thing worked! i now have 1,747,350 that translates to 436,837 miles with AC, AA, BA, CX, DL, UA etc. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif that's my four round trip business class tickets to australia.

but for all of you not following the adventures, let me fill you in.

let's just say you want to fly on the concorde from NYC to london. check the BA rewards page and it's 125,000 miles. so, we need that many.

ok. easy.

go to www.radisson.com (http://www.radisson.com) and enrol in their "radisson gold rewards" program. it's affiliated with www.goldpoints.com. (http://www.goldpoints.com.)

now that you've enrolled there, you're entitled to 4:1 exchange ratio. (4 goldpoints: 1 mile) the FF programs you can get into are listed under membership rules. they include all the ones i have above - including BA, the one we need. we need 125,000x4=500,000 goldpoints then.

ok. now, go to www.goldpoints.com (http://www.goldpoints.com) and enrol there using the goldpoints number that radisson gave you.

now that you're logged in there, follow the links to get to valuemags.com (it's important to follow the links - they get your goldpoints number from the page referral).

valuemags.com has a nifty promotion on. 450 goldpoints per dollar spent. we need 500,000 goldpoints. divide that by 450 and you get $1111. thus, go spend that amount on magazines and you'll get 500,000 goldpoints credited to your account that you can then transfer to your BA FF account (at the rate of 4-1) and end up with a very cheap flight on the concorde.

it works, because i just did it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
i got the idea from here and i just wanted to let everyone know that it *does* work.

cheers
firefly

amazing calculation! Will you read all your magazines?

Getting the points is one thing, whether you can actually find J or F award availability on an airline without status is another problem.

Just curious, since you live in Canada, where do you send all the magazines? Have the points actually been transferred to the FF accounts yet?

hey http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

1. i sent all the magazines to children's hospitals. a bunch of comic books, parenting magazines, news, etc. they wouldn't let me send to canada.
2. i have my flight reserved with AA. it's an YYZ-LAX on AA, then LAX-HKG on CX and HKG-SYD on CX. 100,000 miles. ready to go http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif i also had a better YYZ-LAX-SYD route, but the dates were bad.
3. i haven't transfered the miles yet. i've asked the question above before i transfer. i'll transfer tomorrow or the next day. i don't see that as a problem. (does someone else?)

cheers

where did you find the info on the 4-1 ratio. I could only find goldpoints.com speaking about a 10-1 ratio for NW or US.
HELP, It's late ;-)

[This message has been edited by Pacha (edited 12-17-2001).]

I think he is going thru Radisson...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Exclusive Radisson Airline Partner Rewards
Only a Radisson Gold Rewards member is entitled to redeem Gold Points to airline miles at a 4:1 ratio. Redemptions are available at 2,000; 6,000; 10,000; 20,000; and 50,000 Gold Point increments. PARTICIPATING AIRLINE MILES PARTNERS: Air Canada, American, America West, Asiana, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Continental, Delta, EL AL, Gulf Air, Icelandair, Latin Pass, Mexicana, Midwest Express, Northwest, Qualiflyer, TWA, United, US Airways</font>

thanks Empress,
now even sleepy Pacha understands!!

Great job fireflyreaction!

I'm still working on it -- over 300k goldpoints now with plenty left to go.

Another use I've found for the subscriptions: give them to people in exchange for a donation to charity in the amount of 50% of the subscription price. (i.e. give somebody a $50 mag and they give $25 to charity.) So:

1. I get lots of miles at under $0.01/mile without having to deal with lots of magazines
2. People get really cheap magazines
3. The world is a better place

What a deal.

Also, another noteworthy possibility that has been mentioned elsewhere on FT: $9K of magazines (wow!) = 4M Goldpoints = 1M AA miles = lifetime AA Gold. Might it be easier to claim J/F awards as a "million miler"? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Good luck everybody!

Does this really work? Do the points you get from going through www.goldpoints.com (http://www.goldpoints.com) actually go into your Radisson Gold Rewards account?

If it does, I forsee a quick end to the recession with quadruple digit sales growth in the magazine sector. Front page of the WSJ: "FT saves the world!"

Way to go fireflyreaction!

This really works. The information is being followed in the Radisson forum.

There are other things besides magazines that can get you some decent goldpoints. Not as many as the magazine, but things that might be of more use to you in your Holiday shopping.

Now just hope that they don't go bust... I can imagine that the money for free concorde trips has to come out of someones pocket...

I'm still confused (nothing new)...is "gold rewards" and "gold points" the same thing? I can only find the 10 for 1 redemption (5,000 points for 500 miles)...But that is only on 3 airlines...How do you get the 4 for 1 redemption??

Thanks for any help.

hi guys

i've posted my email correspondence with goldpoints/valuemags in this thread (incase you want to get to the nitty gritty)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum91/HTML/000146.html

cheers

Ignore my last post...I just called the gold point customer service desk and they assured me that it takes 2,000 points to get 500 miles.

Now I'm off to order magazines...Along with my mileage runs, my wife will have another piece of evidence to my ff insanity!!

This just occured to me: If I order business or computer-related magazines, can I write them off as some sort of business expense? Or, if I order a gift subscription to a charity, can the expense be counted as a charitable contribution? (I promise I will only order worthy magazines. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif )

You know, that's a great idea. Why wouldn't it count as a charitable contribution equal to the value of the magazine? I know that business related magazines automatically count as a deduction. I already deduct for several subscriptions which I will now renew through valuemags! I looked through the site and noticed that they offer a *lot* of esoteric magazines... there's a very good selection.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Live4Miles:
Ignore my last post...I just called the gold point customer service desk and they assured me that it takes 2,000 points to get 500 miles.
</font>

I converted 2000 Gold Points to 500 AA miles for the 20/20 promotion this summer. No problem, took about 3 weeks.

Empress,

Where did you find the quote on redemption rules? I can only find the 5000 points for 500 miles from the Goldpoints site. Thanks.


[This message has been edited by ChaseTheMiles (edited 12-18-2001).]

Good God people - this information has been covered so many times!

You can either:
1) Join goldpoints (AKA gold rewards) thru the www.radisson.com (http://www.radisson.com) site and get a 4-1 redemption value. The 4-1 info is at:
http://www.radisson.com/RAD/Gold_Rewards/GoldRewards.jsp?P0=&P1=redeem

OR

2) Join goldpoints thru some other method (like TGIFridays) and get a 10-1 ratio on fewer airlines.

So, obviously, do #1. And yes, it works!

You actually call GoldPoints.com customer service for point-&gt;mile transfers. They can tell your GoldPoints number was created thru Radisson rather than TGIFridays by the start of the number, so you *will* get the 4-1 ratio (ask if you are worried). You can also set up automatic point transfers when threshholds are reached (2K minimum points must be transferred).

I just dropped $2450 on magazines for friends, family, etc. Ya know I was thinking about doing a run on AA for EXP. Being able to upgrade that will make it a LOT easier.

hey http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

let us hear how you make out!

firefly

Thanks - I just signed up at Radison.
On to Gold points.
SO much to do-- who has time to work?



------------------
TANSTAAFL - but if you work it right, FF miles comes pretty close.

Man, how can you people afford to spend upwards of $1000 on magazines? I could see if you were already planning the trip, but that is still some serious coin that has yet to show that it all works.

Before I get flamed, I know everybody is showing the links, but has anyone seen the points post to their airline accounts yet?

I could see donating the magazines to get the deduction, that would make sense.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by zipual:
Before I get flamed, I know everybody is showing the links, but has anyone seen the points post to their airline accounts yet?
</font>

I've had points sent both to UA and AA, and in each instance (4 transactions total), it took less than ten days to post.

Mike

I can't afford some of the dollar amount mentioned here either. However, I can shift purchases I would have made elsewhere to worthy magazines. For an example, instead of giving a toy for Christmas to a child who has everything already, I'm giving a subscription to National Geographic World.

i can't afford any of this.

i HAVE to fly YYZ-SYD for school.

the way i looked at it, i prepay for 4 years worth of flights, get business class and save 90% off regular business class fare. with interest rates so low (and my bank manager giving me prime+0.5%), i can borrow money. sometimes it makes sense to borrow.

cheers

oh - and giving the stuff away to hospitals/charities (regardless of tax deductions which i won't get because i'm canadian) is always a good reason to spend money.

If you join Goldpoints by mistake (instead of Radisson Goldpoints), the people at Goldpoints will convert your account to a 'Radisson' account.

They did it for me back in the summer.

------------------
I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous

What a confusing promotion. Anyway, bottom line...what is the minimum amt. of $$$ that must be spent in order to actually transfer miles?

Good grief!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by corky:
What a confusing promotion. Anyway, bottom line...what is the minimum amt. of $$$ that must be spent in order to actually transfer miles?</font>

You need 2,000 points to get 500 miles. You can set it up to go automatically, whenever you've hit the 2K threshold. Please, check out the Radisson GoldRewards site & Goldpoints.com. It's all very clear.
This is not a special 'promotion'. Goldpoints has a lot of vendors who give you points if you shop thru the goldpoints portal. ValueMags just happens to have a great offer right now.

hey http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

actually, the offer with valumags is usually 150 points/dollar.

this is a christmas special valid until 12/31

cheers

Congradulations firefly!

How are you able to give multiple addresses on goldpoint?

This is a fantastic deal. I hope everyone on my X-Mas list does not mind getting magazines this year!!

Hi,

I already posted this in the Radisson thread but there are discount codes available for Valuemags. I used a 10% off code and got goldpoints based on my purchase before the discount was applied. I have since found out about 2 15% off codes, don't know yet if they still work:

10%off exp 12/25 GIFTMAGS
15% off exp ? BIZRATES15
15% off exp ? EBATESGIFT

Happy shopping!
Suzy

One More:

Receive $5 off a purchase of $30 or more. Simply enter code "gpoints5" at checkout.

Libraries...don't forget you can donate mag subscriptions to libraries..they love em.

Thanks for the promo codes.
I just tried all of them out, and the BIZRATE15

is the only one that won't work, but the others do.

I just bought $1000 worth of magazines and the points have been posting in my Gold Points account FOUR days after purchase!!

That's fast!

This is a hell of a lot easier that the whole Nutrigrain thing. No trips to Costco. No cutting coupons out. No trips to the Post Office.

This is the best deal ever!

Question:

Has anyone gotten their points in their account who used the EBATESGIFT promo code?

Was the amount of points based on the before or after discount price?

I'm about to buy a couple of thousand $$ more of magazines.

I bought my first magazine using this promo code and it hasn't posted yet. I didn't use it on the others and they have posted.

Things that make you go HMMMMM.

does anyone have experience in transferring goldpoints to AA?

thanks http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Not sure if this one works yet but it's supposedely 15% off expiring 12/25.. i wonder if they're trying to tell us something?

code:
"milesmags"

*Just made my first "magazine run" and verified that the code works*

[This message has been edited by Mileage Schemer (edited 12-19-2001).]

fireflyreaction and other Canadian residents,

I've been browsing the selection of Valuemags and saw a magazine called "L'ACTUALITE ". Yahoo search revealed it to be a Canadian-Quebec magazine. Is it pretty good? I'd like to brush up on my French (if I have time to break away from all the other magazines I've ordered).

lol - no idea. i've never heard of it
sorry

cheers

This really is an outstanding promotion, and it appears that this is *actually* a valuable service.

If I'm reading the FAQ right, valuemags will handle change of address requests as well.

I'm using this to "top up" my US account which I will then wipe out on a couple tix to somewhere warm.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fireflyreaction:
does anyone have experience in transferring goldpoints to AA?

thanks http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

I transferred 2K -&gt; 500 miles to get a partner for the AA 20/20 promotion. One phone call, took a few weeks, no problems.

My account is set up for the automatic conversion. GoldPoints come out on Sunday (2,000) and miles go into AA account on following Thursday (500).

Great stuff!! Just did over $3K worth of magazine shopping. Hopefully it will convert into a few nice first class trips...

EBATESGIFT worked just fine for 15% off.

some followup...

i just got off the phone with a very nice lady at goldpoints and i have transferred 436,750 aadvantage miles into my aadvantage account http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

once i see them in my aadvantage account, i'll officially be prepared to delcare the valuemags deal BONIFIED, CERTIFIED and LEGITIMATE! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif but as it stands now, those declarations are all but a formality!

cheers http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
firefly

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ChaseTheMiles:
fireflyreaction and other Canadian residents,

I've been browsing the selection of Valuemags and saw a magazine called "L'ACTUALITE ". Yahoo search revealed it to be a Canadian-Quebec magazine. Is it pretty good? I'd like to brush up on my French (if I have time to break away from all the other magazines I've ordered). </font>

Mais oui... it's a news magazine, similar to MacClean. You can say it is the French version of that magazine, from the same publisher. In USA, it's similar to Newsweek.

You should enjoy it. But they do focus more on French Canadian news... business, politics, travel, etc.

It was the reading assigned in my French class http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

What happens if I started out with Goldpoints from TGI Fridays and then signed up with Radisson?

I spoke with a goldpoints rep today. She said it is rumoured that tomorrow may be the last day for 450 points per dollar from Valuemag. No other info available.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fireflyreaction:
some followup...

once i see them in my aadvantage account, i'll officially be prepared to delcare the valuemags deal BONIFIED, CERTIFIED and LEGITIMATE! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif </font>

I'm not sure that valuemags will appreciate being called "bonified" but they'll probably take "bona fide" as a compliment. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

*red faced*

i knew i should stay away from making posts while 3/4ths asleep http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

in regards to the date this promo ends, see this page:
http://www.goldpoints.com/site/earn/SeasonalShop.jsp

it says 12/31.

cheers http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

can anyone confirm getting extra points with valuemags using the "milesmags" 15% off coupon? i.e., got 4500 goldpoints for a $10 purchase that ended up costing $8.50 after the coupon?

cheers

My Visa card security just called me... "Sir, we like to confirm, did you buy all that much from a magazine store few minutes ago?

Yes... (embarrassed).

Hope you got points for using your Visa card too. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

i *hate* rumours.

however, to be hypocritical, i will inform everyone of this rumour and ask if anyone else is familiar with this:

there is a rumour that the valuemags promo is going to prematurely end on the 20th.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum91/HTML/000146.html

i'm looking into it right now
cheers

no one was home at valuemags

i phoned goldpoints. the CSR said that she had an email from her supervisor informing her that there had been a very large increase in the number of purchases at valuemags and to tell all valuemags customers that it can take up to 30 days for goldpoints to post. nothing about premature cancellation of the promo.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

firefly

Hi fireflyreaction

your original post said it cost you $1111 to get the 500,000 gold points

was this with the discounts codes or without.....
if it was without what would the cost be with the discount codes ?

thanks for telling us about this deal

Thanks Firefly for the great tip!!

I bought 4 subs for myself this morning to check it out.

It seemed to work so I just bought 45 for our 2 local Libraries.(Thanks to the FT'er who thought of that one)Just to make sure I called them and asked if they really could use magazines. They most certainly can and were just thrilled to get them. I used the milesmags code and it worked fine.

Dave

Actually it's "BIZRATE15".

I used it tonight for 15% (or $25) off my order. Others have said that they received the points based on the pre-coupon amount. We'll see if that still works on my order.

To my delight, I just stumbled across this thread. This just goes to show you that people think of EVERYTHING!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif But before I order my magazines, I think I may get a P.O. box. The reason is simple; The magazine companies sell your name to other companies. In other words, get ready for tons of junk mail which will keep on coming long after your subscriptions expire!!! It's just something to think about.

After you sign up for Radisson, what has people's experience been? I tried entering the GP # I got in to the GoldPoints.com site and it was asking for me to re-enter my address and other personal information. Is this required or did I hit a glitch? i.e. should that information already be in the system from Radisson? If it should, does it happen immediately or after a couple of days?

Thanks for the help.

To the Canadians (or Canadiens, depending..): When I lived there you could take a deduction for charitable donations (1976). Has that changed or could you be mistaken? Does make the deal sweeter if you donate the magazines to the library or a hospital.

Have ordered magazines using 15% off 'MILESMAGS' promo code and the goldpoints have posted to my account based on the regular price before the discount.

Thanks to all who posted about this promo!!

I just went in to try to order more mags and when I clicked on the "order" button against one of the magazines I wanted, it took me to the shopping cart. The only message there was "your shopping cart is empty."

I tried logging out/back in but still got the message.

Anyone else having a problem?

[This message has been edited by fscher (edited 12-20-2001).]

For those looking for a way to take advantage of the offer and having the magazines go to good use: another idea is to donate to school libraries.

I just contacted the NYC public school system and they were very excited about receiving magazines. You can call Sandy Bright at 718-935-4028. She will refer you to a school librarian. I just faxed over a list of all the magazines.

Given the selection of magazines, I'd probably recommend donating to a high school.

If you prefer, she can recommend specific boroughs as well.

Mikey,

Same thing happened to me. Looks like a cookie setting with IE6. I changed the privacy to allow all cookies and the items started showing up in my cart.

Help.. I just ordered $1000 in magazines. ($850 with the promo code) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Flip

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by flipside:
Mikey,

Same thing happened to me. Looks like a cookie setting with IE6. I changed the privacy to allow all cookies and the items started showing up in my cart.

Help.. I just ordered $1000 in magazines. ($850 with the promo code) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Flip</font>


Outstanding. Thanks.

Back to the feeding frenzy!

rumours will be rumours....

http://www.goldpoints.com/site/earn/SeasonalShop.jsp

suddenly, the valuemags promo has disappeared from that page. but then again, the whole page has changed

HOWEVER,
this page:
http://www.goldpoints.com/site/earn/Books.jsp

still has it at 450 points/dollar. no end date on the promo though.

might want to act quickly! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

oh, and i have received confirmation. you DO get goldpoints on your gross purchase total, not net (i.e., after coupon). so this becomes an even BETTER deal

cheers

Thanks for the chatitable contribution idea. I called a home for children and teens. Magazine subscriptions were on their Christmas wish list. There are a lot of magazines on the list that are of interest to young people.

Great idea, Rocky!! I am going to call my local schools around here to see if I can donate some mag their ways...

And, firefly, thanks for updating us the "latest" goldpoints situation!! Yeah, great job for getting those pts to your account so smoothly.

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

I have a question regarding the promos for the discounts. Can I use the code more than once? For example, if I place several small orders, can I use the code each time? Thanks!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Neal:
I have a question regarding the promos for the discounts. Can I use the code more than once? For example, if I place several small orders, can I use the code each time? Thanks!</font>

Well, I used the "MILESMAG" code for 15% off and completed the order, then I put something in my cart and then pressed "CheckOut", and the discount is showing up again. I haven't tried clicking "Process Order". That code sure better work with getting Gold Points, I ordered about $2000 worth of magazines.

I posted over in Radisson about Hallmark.com. It is another gem of a deal that may appeal to more people that cannot justify spending so much at one time on magazines. They have Gift Certificates to over 300 stores.

I just got finished reading this entire thread and it just seems amazing. How is goldpoints affording all these miles when you transfer them? The math seems strange on this one, hope it all works out. For some reason I am laughing thinking about the folks over at Valuemag. They are in for one GOOD Christmas! Fourth Quarter earnings are going to be up somewhere near 10,000%. Ha Ha. BEHOLD THE POWER OF FLYERTALK!

A $10,000 purchase would net 4,500,000 GoldPoints. Let's just say that Goldpoints is getting a 99% kickback from Valuemag (even though it must beless than that, the magazines cost something). That would mean that Goldpoints would receive from valuemag $9,900 in commission.

If Goldpoints is exchanging 4.5 mil points for 1,125,000 in airline miles, can one assume that they buy the miles from the airlines for ~.01 each? If so, those would cost Goldpoints $11,250.
Summary
For every 10,000 in magazine sells, Goldpoints is losing at least $1350.

This just doesn't make sense.

Comments?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PlaneSpotter:
Well, I used the "MILESMAG" code for 15% off and completed the order, then I put something in my cart and then pressed "CheckOut", and the discount is showing up again.</font>

I just tried MILESMAG and it gave no discount. ebatesgift did give a 15% discount.

(Edited to add that the usual quick email confirmation has not arrived 15 minutes after placement of order.) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Middle_Seat (edited 12-20-2001).]

Just talked to a rep at goldpoints. Take it for what it's worth but according to her TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR THE 450 POINT/DOLLAR PROMO! Dunno about you but I'm going for a million miles. Crazy me.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Middle_Seat:
I just tried MILESMAG and it gave no discount. ebatesgift did give a 15% discount.</font>

Sorry about that, I meant "MILESMAGS"

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pointman:
A $10,000 purchase would net 4,500,000 GoldPoints. Let's just say that Goldpoints is getting a 99% kickback from Valuemag (even though it must beless than that, the magazines cost something). That would mean that Goldpoints would receive from valuemag $9,900 in commission.

If Goldpoints is exchanging 4.5 mil points for 1,125,000 in airline miles, can one assume that they buy the miles from the airlines for ~.01 each? If so, those would cost Goldpoints $11,250.
Summary
For every 10,000 in magazine sells, Goldpoints is losing at least $1350.

This just doesn't make sense.

Comments?</font>

I dunno about anyone else, but I don't like the math either.

I'm getting my points out as quick as I can and redeeming my miles to boot.

Edited to add:

If for some reason you believe that Gold Points will be around for a while, there are a number of other partners who offer 150-225 points/dollar, which gives you a per airline mile range of 1.7c to 2.67c per mile. Better than a buck a mile on your cc.

[This message has been edited by Mikey likes it (edited 12-20-2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
Now just hope that they don't go bust... I can imagine that the money for free concorde trips has to come out of someones pocket...</font>

Which is why I posted this very early in the thread... I hope the force is with you all....

hey guys!

actually, the math may very well work out.

goldpoints has a deal with the airlines that is 10:1 (recall the confusion earlier in the thread)

radisson is the one that has the deals with the airlines that lets you get 4:1 exchange.

(see the radisson forum - there is extensive discussion on this point)

does the math work out on the 10:1 exchange ratio

also, i think the point is well taken regarding the fact that magazines would sell for 1cent just to count people as subscribers. magazines make their money from advertisers. the more "paid subscriptions" the higher the advertising rate. i doubt they make any money at all on subscriptions themselves.

just my two cents

hey there!

i can confirm that a CSR at goldpoints told me that "valuemags is no longer on the site". i think they've completely withdrawn from goldpoints.

i told him that the link was still active. he said "well, i'm told it's off". so i asked him if it was safe to assume that the promo was going to end today and he said yes.


hurry up http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I have serious concerns about the math. It would not be the first time a website got into hot water. What happens then? They have your money. You have a bankrupt company with NO assets and you also have NO points and NO magazines (hence, NO tax deduction) and NO trip on the Concorde. I would advise caution.

Signed, Wet Blanket

yes - but you paid by credit card.

if they go bankrupt, then you can dispute the charge and you're find.

it happened with the people who purchased tickets on Canada 3000.

cheers

As of a few minutes ago, the site was not accepting orders. Click "Buy", but you just get a screen that says "your shopping cart is empty."

i just clicked on buying one of the magazines, went to checkout and though i didn't buy anything, it let me get to the last step.

sure you didn't have a cookie problem?

And no one believed me yesterday! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fireflyreaction:
hey there!

i can confirm that a CSR at goldpoints told me that "valuemags is no longer on the site". i think they've completely withdrawn from goldpoints.

i told him that the link was still active. he said "well, i'm told it's off". so i asked him if it was safe to assume that the promo was going to end today and he said yes.


hurry up http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

I can get in through www.valuemags.com, (http://www.valuemags.com,) but not GoldPoints. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

hey

still works for me http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

OK, I don't know what the deal was with the site, but I was just able to place another order. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

For those who have gotten through to Valuemags over the phone, how did you do it?! Whenever I call it goes to the machine.

Also, I saw something on the Radisson board about this but do you all now get a goldpoints window saying that you'll get 450 points when you go into valuemags? Never had this before today and it's making me worry a bit my transactions won't be credited... Valuemags seems to be slow on e-mail as well.

Also these terms of the Goldpoints program aren't helping me to feel any better:

"Gold Points Corporation (D.B.A 24k Gold Points) ("Licensor") reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to terminate the Gold Points Rewards program, to add and delete Gold Points Rewards partners, and to alter, limit, modify or add to the Gold Points Rewards Program rules, regulations, terms and conditions, including but not limited to imposing time limits and changes in point values, rewards, and reward levels without prior notice at any time and from time to time."

I've just put in my $300 worth.

The way I see it, if I don't get the points I'll have to dispute the transaction with my credit card company.

I guess it was too good to last though.

The credit card company is not responsible for the points not being posted. As long as your magazines are delievered, what does it have to do with them??

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SFO_2_MEL:
The way I see it, if I don't get the points I'll have to dispute the transaction with my credit card company.</font>

If it comes to that, do I have to dispute the ValueMags bills with my credit card company (Citibank AAdvantage) before I pay them? The 4-8 week delay in posting Gold Points to AAdvantage, and the fact that I use the card for other purchases, could make this confusing.

------------------
Middle_Seat

Folks, Gold Points is not a dot com.

Gold Points is part of the Carlson Companies, a multibillion dollar company.

Among other Carlson Companies:
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Radisson Hotels
T.G.I. Friday's
Carlson Marketing Group
Radisson Seven Seas
Regent Hotels

Once the points have been credited to your Gold Points account, I wouldn't worry about it. It's getting them in there that's the concern.

IIRC, Carlson also runs the U.S. version of Executive Club for British Airways.

As far as the economics of this deal, I would guess it's the magazine publishers who are footing the bulk of the bill. As someone correctly pointed out above, magazines make the bulk of their money off advertising. (A few exceptions ... e.g. Consumer Reports)

The more subscribers they have, the more they can charge for ads. The catch is according to auditing rules, they can't count you as a paid subscriber if they sell below a certain price.

But they can give ValueMags a lot of money to get you to sign up. (As long as ValueMags charges you enough that you're paid circ.) VM is incenting us to sign up through them.

I wouldn't be surprised if VM is losing money on the deal, but they're not bearing the full cost.

that's standard legaleese - i'm sure one of our lawyer-type friends here can attest to that. i don't think they can retroactively change the number of goldpoints awarded per dollar. it would constitute fraud. imagine being promised that you'd get a free blender with every mixer purchase. wow - great...two for one. i'll buy at that store! then suddenly they say NO BLENDER FOR YOU! well, you probably wouldn't have bought the mixer in the first place had you not been getting that blender.

mmm blender-action-drinks http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

It has never taken that long for the points to transfer from Goldpoints to any airline that I have used. They are very efficient. If you have your paperwork, I am sure you will get your Goldpoints and in turn can transfer the points to miles.(if you went through the site).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fireflyreaction:
hey

still works for me http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

</font>

I got to the VM site via GoldPoints via Radisson. Seems to be ok.

further info related to my post above

Gold Points Rewards Ownership
Gold Points Corporation is a subsidiary of Carlson Marketing Group, the world's leading Relationship Marketing company with international capabilities that span 27 countries. Carlson Marketing Group helps global Fortune 1000 clients improve their sales and profits by designing marketing strategies which create and strengthen relationships with employees, channel partners and consumers.

Carlson Marketing Group is one of the major operating groups of Carlson Companies, Inc., a $31 billion marketing, hospitality and travel company, and one of the largest privately held corporations in the United States.

Gold Points Corporation is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.

Site still works...

I logged in through GoldPoints, got onto ValueMags with the GoldPoints banner on top ("You are earning 450 GP/$ with this!") and bought a magazine.

I bought another magazine 2-3 days ago and had the GPs post by today, so it's still working (I hope!).

I'm planning to donate a bunch of mags to my local library and they're supposed to call me tomorrow with their requests - so hopefully it'll still work through tomorrow. I'm shooting for those million miles!

- Sameer

Still works.. Just ordered another $200 worth :-)

Editied to add:

I just went back and bought another $1000 worth.. It's just too good to pass up at .009 cents per mile

[This message has been edited by flipside (edited 12-20-2001).]

Just bought $10K's worth. Fingers crossed everything goes as planned, but so far all orders are confirmed. Managed to send 80 subscriptions to myself (instead of the library where I donated them) but hope that Valuemags can sort it out. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Looking forward to my first Concorde flight.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

PS -- for reference, it takes about 4 hours to purchase $10K worth of magazines. At .009 per mile, it was time well spent.

Right now does not work for me in IE 6 when linking through Goldpoints.com, but does work in Netscape 6.1. Worked last night on IE 6 but as a previous poster noted, today there is a banner at the top indicating 450 points/$ that was not there last night when I made the purchases.

CWPFLY

I just looked at the history of my ValueMags orders. The confirmation emails list the exact time for each order, as well as the order number. With a little arithmetic you can calculate how many orders ValueMags is processing per hour.

As everyone here would expect, their number of orders per hour has considerably increased over the past few days:

Dec. 15, 5 orders/hr
Dec. 17, 7 orders/hr
Dec. 19 AM, 8 orders/hr
Dec. 19 PM, 18 to 21 orders/hr

My Gold Points have been posting in about 3 days. Orders through 12/17 have posted OK, and I'm hoping that the process will continue for at least three more days.

------------------
Middle_Seat

Anyone else get the following e-mail? Kinda relieved to get something from them! Now I gotta go find a fax!

---------------------------------------------


Dear Valued Customer,

We have recently seen a large increase in the size of orders due to our
successful promotion with rewards partners, like GoldPoints. While this is
obviously great news, the increase in the size of orders has also resulted
in increased liability in the case of fraud. In an attempt to alleviate the
risk in processing these orders and the risk to our partners, we are now
requiring that any orders of $400 or more will not be processed unless and
until we have received a signed confirmation from the person placing such
an order that he or she will agree to comply with and be bound by our
Cancellation Policy.

Because of the size of your order we ask that you print out this e-mail
with the Cancellation Policy, carefully read our Cancellation Policy, sign
the printed e-mail and fax this back to us at the fax number below. By
signing and returning this Agreement, you will agree to comply with and be
bound by the terms of our Cancellation Policy. This will enable us to
process your order in a timely manner as well as impede possible fraud.

Cancellation Policy Agreement:

This Cancellation Policy Agreement is entered into by and between Contrail,
LLC, dba Valuemags.com, and the individual set forth below (“Customer”).

Cancellation of an order before 30 days after the date of such order (the
“Cancellation Period”), will result in a refund of the price of the
magazine or magazines ordered, less a restocking fee equal to 50% of the
price of the magazine or magazines ordered. Cancellations of orders after
the Cancellation Period will not be accepted and no refund will be
provided.

Customer acknowledges that his GoldPoints (or other partner promotion
incentives) will not be awarded until 30 days after his order date and will
in no case be given for orders which have been cancelled during the
Cancellation Period.

By signing below, Customer acknowledges that he has read these terms and
conditions and agrees to be bound by such. ValueMags will process Customers
order upon receipt of this Agreement and will ask its affiliates to release
any reward points due to customer at this time.

Sincerely,

-Andrew

Shari G.
ValueMags.com
212 West Superior St., Ste 300
Chicago, IL 60610
ph. 312-925-9983
fax. 800-684-5373
shari@valuemags.com

shari@valuemags.com
800-684-5373

Welcome, MoreMiles. You have 000 Gold Points.

You are now shopping at ValueMags.com
and earning 450 Gold Points per dollar.
(CLOSE WINDOW)
--------------------------
This banner on the top of the window... is this new? I didn't see it until today.

Does this mean that the referral link was not working if we didn't see it before?

Flyerfly, your points posted successfuly. Did you see this banner before?

i just saw the banner starting today.

all my goldpoints posted fine without the banner. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

cheers

Great discovery fireflyreaction!!! Hope I'm not too late!

Hi,

If you order once and you get 450 points per dollar spent. Now if you go and renew it for another year, do you still get 450 goldpoints per dollar spent ?.

thanks.

There was a lot of crying wolf yesterday, but the 450 pts per dollar is still available on the site. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Keep buying those magazines.

I think the "milespy" people know something that has to do with Dec 29th.

Flip

what's so special about the 29th?

s

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by flipside:
There was a lot of crying wolf yesterday, but the 450 pts per dollar is still available on the site. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

The ability to order from Valuemags.com via the Goldpoints portal was not possible over a several hour span last night (if one clicked on Purchase or Buy, nothing would get added to the basket). Attempting to do so via other means (including another portal) worked without incident.

I had a problem yesterday where I couldn't add magazines to the account but clearing cookies out fixed the probem.

As far as making the mistake of registering improperly with GoldPoints, their customer service has to be the best I've ever dealt with. I had improperly registered and not gotten a Radisson linked account. They not only helped me to fix the problem, they transferred the points from the non-linked account to Radisson and set the Radisson account to auto-transfer to AA mileage. Fortunately I fixed the problem before I went and bought $6k worth of magazines yesterday, but it's good to know I'm covered for the other smaller order. The rep did confirm I would be getting 500 miles per 2k points transferred.

My first 90k points posted today (I did my first $2.5k in three orders, the smallest one at $200 posted. I'm sure they want the release signed before they post the others.) and are on their way to AA! Million Miler here I come!

[This message has been edited by kanebear (edited 12-21-2001).]

From hallmark.com:

"Our apologies
We are currently experiencing heavy traffic on our site and are unable to allow additional visits at this time."

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif You guys must be busy!

We need a fax number from Value mags as the one on the letter they are sending is not a fax number. ANYBODY have the fax number????

Fax number in my e-mail from them was 312-640-3750.

or 509-691-3217 (for the fax)..

WOW, a deal like this does not come along too often. that's why i just bought my $950 (with discount) in magazines. you guys rock for finding this stuff! the deal still works, as while i was shopping the top of the screen said i was earning 450 goldpoints per dollar spent. Concorde here i come!!

------------------
The three words I never want to hear: 'Full Y Fare'

hi everyone!

like i'm sure a lot of you just got, i received from valuemags an email on their cancellation policy.

looks like i have the email address of everyone who ordered a lot of magazines from valuemags. (they didn't understand how to use the BCC field - a thing i'm a little miffed about.) by my quick count, over 106 people ordered more than $400 in magazines.

valuemags is either bleeding red, or, as i suspect, doing very well. their president, andrew, emailed me "while on vacation for the holidays". he's probably lounging under the sun http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

cheers

FireFlyR:

I didn't get that e-mail (got it a couple of days ago) but put in another order quite a bit larger than $400 last night so I suspect that there are many more that 106 people who have ordered in large amounts since the promo started getting attention.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fireflyreaction:
looks like i have the email address of everyone who ordered a lot of magazines from valuemags. (they didn't understand how to use the BCC field - a thing i'm a little miffed about.)</font>

fireflyreaction, I assume you will be communicating this info to ValueMags.com, so that they utilize the BCC field in the future...(?)

Thanks in advance.

So much for doing the Christmas shopping, instead of paying attention to FT.Tried all the links but no luck.

Anyone has the guidance if this offer is still available ?

at the risk of sounding repetitive,

it works for me http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
(8:57pm friday)

Yesterday, I started buying mass quantities of these magazines. At first, I felt the risk was minimal. After all, a few FTs said their points showed up a few days after the purchases. I figured if my points didn't show up within 30 days, I would cancel the entire order for a full refund.

But just now, I received one of those faxes too. The part I don't like is that the points won't post until AFTER 30 days. If for some reason the points don't show up, were screwed! I know a lot of you feel we have credit card protection. But more than likely, the card issuer would say we got the merchandise and that would be that. Those of you familiar with the Cyberebate fiasco know that many, (if not most,) of the card issuers would not give refunds to the customers. They said the customers received their merchandise and that the rebates were irrelevant. I feel this would create a similar situation.

I guess I'm just wanting for you guys to convince me that I'm worrying for nothing. Several of you already figured out that the math didn't work. I sure don't want to spend thousands on this and get nothing but magazines! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Any thoughts on this?

my points posted - that's all i can say http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

go into the radisson forum and see what i did to ensure i got them posted. however, remember that i did all that before this exploded.

cheers

Wait - am I in trouble? You have to join the Radisson program *FIRST*? You can't just join the radisson program and link it up to a previously created goldpoints account?

That's not how it was described in the newsletter.... I hope i haven't gotten screwed here....

Neal, I don't think we have all that much to worry about. Valuemags may or may not be a well known entity but it is unlikely that Goldpoints would renage on our points. I think that regardless of what Valuemags did we would have recourse through goldpoints by simply showing them that we ordered through their portal.



[This message has been edited by Mvic (edited 12-21-2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fireflyreaction:
my points posted - that's all i can say http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

go into the radisson forum and see what i did to ensure i got them posted. however, remember that i did all that before this exploded.

cheers</font>


Firefly: I feel much MUCH better now that I read your correspondence with Goldpoints. If the points are posted within 24 hours but just can't be used until after 30 days, that's fine with me. At least this way, it's kind of like Goldpoints is holding the points in escrow. Thanks!!

hey

bear in mind that's what *i* agreed to with them.

anyway, the people at valuemags have been nothing short of excellent in my dealings with them. i cannot commend them enough! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

all i can say is that based on my correspondence, i felt good enough to go ahead and sink my money into this venture without the benefit of a huge FT thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Tried to place an order yesterday.No matter what I tried to purchase my shopping cart came up empty.I have purchased from them in the last month or so with no problems but still no miles. This was Before my fellow milehounds invaded the goldpoints turf on a wild spending spree.Called Goldpoints and they said to call Value Mags but they don't answer their phones.Have not gotten a single point from any of my subscriptions.This is not looking all that great.Maybe this will all come together yet.Seems to me they may have bitten the dust hopefully not with our miles!
Possibly they don't work/answer phones past 5 PM or some things wrong with my computer which works perfectly on every other site.
Good luck to us all! Happy holidays!

[This message has been edited by 777 global mile hound (edited 12-22-2001).]

777 Global, I had the same problem. You need to change the Privacy section on Internet Options to accept all cookies and then it works.

Pat

Just to add to the updates despite the 30 days disclaimer the points seem to post pretty quickly. I ordered some mags and renewals on 12/19 the miles posted today.
Now I am calling all my relatives and offering free renewals for all their magazines, they think I'm crazy, well so whats new??

Mike


[This message has been edited by MIKESILV (edited 12-22-2001).]

Communication from ValueMags:

From: Sameer Bakhda
To: customerservice@valuemags.com
Subject: ValueMags and GoldPoints

There's a nasty rumor going around the web that your triple GoldPoints offer (450 GoldPoints for every $1 spent on ValueMags.com), scheduled to expire on December 31, will actually expire today (December 20). Is this true? I'm planning on making a large order of magazines in the next couple of days and I need to know - thanks!!

- Sameer Bakhda

From: &lt;customerservice@valuemags.com&gt;
To: "Sameer Bakhda" &lt;SameerUCLA@yahoo.com&gt;
Subject: RE: ValueMags and GoldPoints

The expiration date for the goldpoints offer is still December 31st.


Shari
shari@valuemags.com
800-684-5373

MIKESILV: did you use any coupons?

did you make a purchase over $400?

i made a purchase of about $800 that same day but my points haven't posted yet...

ah well - they'll get there soon enough

cheers http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fireflyreaction:
MIKESILV: did you use any coupons?

did you make a purchase over $400?

i made a purchase of about $800 that same day but my points haven't posted yet...

ah well - they'll get there soon enough

cheers http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

My points posted in 48 hours. Made $100 in magazine purchases.

I bought close to $900 worth of mags last night. it didn't take a as many as I expected! Some of them are $100 or more per subscription. I'll let you know when the points post.

I think I'll use my miles for a C class ticket to Australia!!!

My goldpoints (at 450 per $)just posted (within 48 hours). What is the process to redeem them for the 4 to 1? Do I just go on the goldpoints.com site?

Please note that in the future any new Goldpoints thread will be moved to the appropriate board:

S.P.A.M.
Sites with Points and Alternative Miles, including referral bonuses, congas, MyPoints, ClickRewards and AllAdvantage




------------------
Craig6z
Buzz & United Moderator
moderator2@flyertalk.com

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by stdupree:
Wait - am I in trouble? You have to join the Radisson program *FIRST*? You can't just join the radisson program and link it up to a previously created goldpoints account?

That's not how it was described in the newsletter.... I hope i haven't gotten screwed here....</font>

You're fine, worry not. I did the same thing and Goldpoints moved the points over for me. Their customer service is awesome. Create an account on the Radisson site, write down the account # that is displayed on the site when you register and call GoldPoints. They will move the points for you.

[This message has been edited by kanebear (edited 12-22-2001).]

Q re. multi-year subscrpitions.

My local library system would prefer to get multi-year subscriptions. Has anybody done this? Most mags are offered for only a year and a few for 2.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SeeYa:
You need 2,000 points to get 500 miles. You can set it up to go automatically, whenever you've hit the 2K threshold. Please, check out the Radisson GoldRewards site & Goldpoints.com. It's all very clear.
This is not a special 'promotion'. Goldpoints has a lot of vendors who give you points if you shop thru the goldpoints portal. ValueMags just happens to have a great offer right now.</font>

SeeYa: How do I "set it up to go automatically, whenever you've hit the 2K threshold"? Do I have to call them or can I do it on the web?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by maqroll:
Q re. multi-year subscrpitions.

My local library system would prefer to get multi-year subscriptions. Has anybody done this? Most mags are offered for only a year and a few for 2.</font>

I've been buying the maximum year subscriptions available. Many have two and even three year ones available. Always click on the "drop downn" window to check.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by marksec:
My goldpoints (at 450 per $)just posted (within 48 hours). What is the process to redeem them for the 4 to 1? Do I just go on the goldpoints.com site?</font>


Do we need 30 days for the points sit in Radisson reward program? or we can just redeem right away? When is the expire date for the 4 to 1 redemption offer by Radisson?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by marksec:
My goldpoints (at 450 per $)just posted (within 48 hours). What is the process to redeem them for the 4 to 1? Do I just go on the goldpoints.com site?</font>

I went to:
http://www.radisson.com/RAD/Gold_Rewards/GoldRewards.jsp?P0=&P1=redeem
The text there lists the 2K per 500 miles conversion rate. But it also tells you to go to goldpoints.com to redeem, and there the rate is 5k per 500 miles. My goldpoints profile shows my pre-existing Radisson Gold Rewards account number as the goldpoints account number. What's wrong? Do I have to wait for a 24-hour computer update or for my purchase to post? I'm puzzled.

how are you all giving mags for gifts? can you change mailing addresses later on after you buy them all? thanks!

ps great deal!

I'm sorry but can someone tell me how to set up the automatic transfer that was mentioned in this thread? "You can set it up to go automatically, whenever you've hit the 2K threshold."
Thanks much! Lynne

To set up the automatic deposit just call goldpoints, 1-800-508-9000 (8am to 8pm CST everyday) and request the automatic transfer to the airline of your choice. Their automatic transfers take place once a week, I think they deduct on Thursdays from your account and then initiate the transfer on sundays to the airlines, which then post within a few days to a week, i.e. the points will leave your account each thursday but they will post to your airline account, dated 3 days later (sunday), and within a week or so...

i was just thinking about this further...and it seems unbelievable! if i buy $1094 of magazines i earn enough points for roundtrip airfare for 2 to Hawaii and 5 nights at the Radisson Kauai Beach Resort.

if you spend $1288.88 (before 15% discount) you earn 580,000 goldpoints. redeem 280,000 of them for two 35k hawaii tickets and redeem the other 300,000 for the Radisson resort (i'm assuming the beach resort qualifies as a tier 3) and you've got yourself a pretty sick 5 night Hawaiian vacation for under $1100. is that right?



[This message has been edited by broadwayblue (edited 12-23-2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by broadwayblue:
i was just thinking about this further...and it seems unbelievable!]</font>

Yes, it's an unbelievable deal from a dot.com. It's OK for funds you can afford to lose, but I wouldn't spend the rent money on it.

------------------
Middle_Seat

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tummyg:
To set up the automatic deposit just call goldpoints, 1-800-508-9000 (8am to 8pm CST everyday) and request the automatic transfer to the airline of your choice</font>

Is the 4:1 redemption ratio also only available by phone, and not on the goldpoints web site?

I decided not to use any of the discount codes. This way I spend more $ and get more miles per magazine, and I maximize their income on the transaction so that the deal is more likely to continue. I suggest that others do the same, and pay full price. It's the least we can do while collecting our miles.

(newbie; first post)

Great thread. Spent about $1000 so far. Here's my question. I usually just travel 1 or 2 times a year from the US, but always overseas (singapore, hong kong, etc). I earn 20-25,000 miles each time but I haven't stayed on one carrier long enough to earn a free ticket yet.

I am intrigued by the AA 1-million mile lifetime level, but after reading lots of older threads I am not sure if is something I should strive for. Gold status for life (of program/airline) sounds okay, but it looks like one round-the-world trip each year would get me close to gold status.
Basically I'm torn between putting my forthcoming miles in NorthWest or AA. I'm in Texas, so I'll probably fly AA much more whenever I start doing more domestic travel. But Northwest offers a free trip overseas at ~54,000 miles, while I imagine AA is closer to 80k miles(?).

So a question - 2 RT overseas on Northwest and I'm close to a free ticket. It would take 3 RT overseas trips on AA to do the same thing. But with AA Gold Status, would
that narrow the gap between AA and NW
(25,000x150%[gold status] x 2 trips = 75,000 miles)?

In the short term, 250,000 FF miles would get me 5 RT oversea trips on Northwest, but only 3, I think, on American.

I have many more years of travel ahead. Should I sacrifice now and go with AA and shoot for 1 milion miles, or more instant gratification and feret away miles with Northwest giving me 5 rt trips for the next few years?

Last question - Do million mile flyers get yearly upgrade passes, or is it one time when you join the 'club'? And would the passes be good for domestic only or perhaps international flights too?

Thanks!
Midnight

[This message has been edited by midnightio (edited 12-23-2001).]

All of my points posted today. all 1,107,000 of them from magazines I ordered on the 19th and 20th. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

NSX: Just for the record, the points you get are for the "pre discount" amount. Example: you spend $100 on magazines, use the 15% of code and your cost is $85, you get 45000 points...

Flip

[This message has been edited by flipside (edited 12-23-2001).]

[This message has been edited by flipside (edited 12-23-2001).]

For faster shopping on a dial-up modem, key in the name of the next magazine in the quick search box directly from the shopping cart screen.

i'm not sure i understand what the lifetime gold membership with AA gets you. i checked their website but all i could find was this:

Access to the AAdvantage Gold Hot Line for reservations, special seating or meal requests, as well as upgrade requests and purchases
Faster, more convenient check-in and boarding
Flight bonuses when you fly on American Airlines®, American Eagle® and participating carriers
Complimentary upgrades so you can enjoy a higher class of service on flights within the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, The Bahamas and Bermuda. You'll earn four upgrades for every 10,000 base miles purchased and flown on participating flights
Upgrade reservations 24 hours prior to departure
Discounted Admirals Club® memberships
Priority check-in, preferred seating and priority standby and waitlisting on any oneworld™ alliance airlines.
Business Class Check-in and Pre-boarding

is that worth a million miles or am i missing something?

Today, Sunday, sometime between 9 AM and noon-thirty all but 1,500 of my GoldPoint balance disappeared. I assume that this is due to the automatic transfer feature to AAdvantage.

I don't know how long it will take them to show up on aa.com.

------------------
Middle_Seat

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by broadwayblue:
is that worth a million miles or am i missing something?</font>

The big advantage is having the ability to possibly upgrade on every paid flight. Another big plus, (especially since 9/11,) is the special check-in lines at the ticket counters. Also, with lifetime status, you need not worry about re-qualifying every year.

I just recently reached lifetime Gold "normally." But I'm now going for lifetime Platinum with the magazines. After applying the 15% discount to the magazines, I'm paying roughly $850.00 per 100,000 miles. A first class ticket on AA is 40,000 miles which comes out to roughly $300.00. I'll have enough miles for over 20 of them!!!

IF YOU ARE BUYING MAGAZINES FOR THE MILES PLEAS READ!!

I contacted a non-profit organization which collects magazines (I think for the homeless.) But they just responded to me today and I'm finished buying subscriptions. If any of you will be buying more magazines, perhaps you can help them out.

Here's the reply I just received from "ReRead."

Thank you. We would greatly appreciate magazine donations. We need mostly
magazines of general interest, such as Time, People, and Parent's Weekly,
Woman's Day, etc.

Please send the magazines to:
ReREAD
11718 Barrington Court, PMB 373
Los Angeles, CA 90049-2930

Thank you very much for your interest in helping us.

Happy Holidays!

ReREAD
11718 Barrington Court, PMB 373
Los Angeles, CA 90049
310.472.4893
310.472.4693 fax
www.reread.org (http://www.reread.org)

Yes, Lifetime Platinum would be much more tempting for me. Better beneifts and no need to requalify, however, at 2,000,000 miles and somewhere over $16,000 it's more than I care to take on right now.
Heck, 2 million Northwest FF miles would allow me 40 RT oversea coach flights. I imagine things will have changed a good deal before I could ever use them all. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fireflyreaction:
MIKESILV: did you use any coupons?

did you make a purchase over $400?

i made a purchase of about $800 that same day but my points haven't posted yet...

ah well - they'll get there soon enough
cheers http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

Sorry I took so long to respond.
Made the following purhases:
1 Valuemags about about $200.00 12/19 no coupons I did see the posts about coupons at the time.
2 Valuemags about $75.00 12/20 used coupon got 15% off
3)Hickory farm $50.00 12/20 used gift certs.
4)Eddie Bauer $75.00 12/20 used gift certs.
All points had posted by this AM

Mike




[This message has been edited by MIKESILV (edited 12-23-2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nsx:
I decided not to use any of the discount codes. This way I spend more $ and get more miles per magazine, and I maximize their income on the transaction so that the deal is more likely to continue. I suggest that others do the same, and pay full price. </font>

FYI, GoldPoints are awarded on the amount of the purchase before the coupon is applied.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nsx:
Is the 4:1 redemption ratio also only available by phone, and not on the goldpoints web site?

</font>

Go to the Radisson site (after you have read thisthread and the numerous similar threads in the Radisson forum). 4:1 is the standard redemption rate.

OK, I think I get it. All redemptions have to be done by phone, unless they are of the pre-authorized automatic transfer type. Right?

will goldpoints transfer miles into American Airlines? their site says they only support Delta, Northwest, and US Airways.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by broadwayblue:
will goldpoints transfer miles into American Airlines? their site says they only support Delta, Northwest, and US Airways.</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Go to the Radisson site (after you have read thisthread and the numerous similar threads in the Radisson forum)...</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Neal:
IF YOU ARE BUYING MAGAZINES FOR THE MILES PLEAS READ!!

I contacted a non-profit organization which collects magazines (I think for the homeless.) But they just responded to me today and I'm finished buying subscriptions. If any of you will be buying more magazines, perhaps you can help them out.

Here's the reply I just received from "ReRead."

Thank you. We would greatly appreciate magazine donations. We need mostly
magazines of general interest, such as Time, People, and Parent's Weekly,
Woman's Day, etc.

Please send the magazines to:
ReREAD
11718 Barrington Court, PMB 373
Los Angeles, CA 90049-2930

Thank you very much for your interest in helping us.

Happy Holidays!

ReREAD
11718 Barrington Court, PMB 373
Los Angeles, CA 90049
310.472.4893
310.472.4693 fax
www.reread.org (http://www.reread.org)</font>


thanks for the info, will do....

Middle Seat, the miles are sent to AA on Thurs, so they show up on Thurs or Fri.

Pat

Say folks, I 99% sure I am going to do this deal but want to ask a question first. Which airline has the best FF program to get me from the U.S. (PHX) to Australia in FC or possible Business? How many miles? I'm a plat on CO if that is a consideration. Thanks.

I have a similar question, which airline has the best FC award to Australia.

BA has a great FC product and going the long way around it costs 175K (through their executive club, well over 200K through AAdvantage) but I am not sure if London onward is on BA metal or not? How do the cheaper (in terms of Mileage cost of award) Cathy Pacific and Quantas FC stack up against BA's product with regards to travel to the land down under?

Is BA the only Oneworld partner that has much more expensive mileage awards through AAdvantage than it does through its own program?

Let me get this right - 4 to 1 rewards over to AA and AA gives out lifetime GOLD for 1 million miles - doesn't matter were they come from. They don't have to be actual flown miles.

Is this correct?

RayK:

That is correct. 2 mil gives you lifetime plat. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Flip

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Mvic:
I have a similar question, which airline has the best FC award to Australia.

BA has a great FC product and going the long way around it costs 175K (through their executive club, well over 200K through AAdvantage) but I am not sure if London onward is on BA metal or not? How do the cheaper (in terms of Mileage cost of award) Cathy Pacific and Quantas FC stack up against BA's product with regards to travel to the land down under?

Is BA the only Oneworld partner that has much more expensive mileage awards through AAdvantage than it does through its own program? </font>

use AADV, redeem on CX for 140k, e.g.,
anyAAport-lax-hkg-syd
(u can also do this via BAEC, but there is no AA connection if your city is not served by CX, i.e. LAX/SFO/JFK/YVR/YYZ)

and btw, CX F product is BETTER than BA's!
check oneworld forum for related info,
and cx's forum for comments on the products
(and don't forget the famed Wing in HKG)
i would chose cx over ba even if the miles required are the same


[This message has been edited by pegasus8228 (edited 12-23-2001).]

how are you people who are ordering 18k or even 2k worth of magazines finding all your mags? i bought a little over $1000 worth and i pretty much picked out anything i might remotely be interested in reading. are you just buying everything they have or multiple subs? or do they have other magazines than what they list in their categories?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by broadwayblue:
how are you people who are ordering 18k or even 2k worth of magazines finding all your mags? i bought a little over $1000 worth and i pretty much picked out anything i might remotely be interested in reading. are you just buying everything they have or multiple subs? or do they have other magazines than what they list in their categories?</font>


Multiple years, multiple subscriptions to family, friends, strangers, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by phoenixitc:

Multiple years, multiple subscriptions to family, friends, strangers, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

I'd be careful about strangers, due to the prohibition against cancelling subscriptions. I have found that my relatives are willing to receive gift subscriptions, although they don't yet know how many they are going to get. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

------------------
Middle_Seat

Pegasus8228, thanks for the info, very helpful, saves me having to split points between two programs.

Broadway Blue, you would be surprised at the range of magazines that Public Libraries want. I got a list for well over $2000 worth of subscriptions for the first library I contacted.

[This message has been edited by Mvic (edited 12-24-2001).]

Mvic,

u rwelcome.
one more plus for using AADV is it counts toward achieving MM miler status
1MM= lifetiem gold
2MM=lifetime Plt

Any accountants here?

Can we deduct any of this if we donate the magazines to libraries, etc?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Middle_Seat:
I'd be careful about strangers, due to the prohibition against cancelling subscriptions. I have found that my relatives are willing to receive gift subscriptions, although they don't yet know how many they are going to get. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

</font>

No way, will any of the magazines show up on someone's door step within the 30 day "no cancel" period.

Found the discount codes I was posting in the thread so..... nevermind.

BSL



[This message has been edited by BSL (edited 12-24-2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by katz:
Any accountants here?

Can we deduct any of this if we donate the magazines to libraries, etc?</font>

i was talking with my dad about this. he itemizes his tax return so basically he would get about a third of the cash he spent on the magazines back. talk about an even sweeter deal!

i managed to find another $1200 worth of magazines last night bringing my total miles earned with this deal to about 280,000! i only wish they had some more popular magazines like Sports Illustrated or Time. over all i can't really complain.

shouldn't the title of this thread be "fly the concorde for $944"?

thanks again for all the info!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by katz:
Any accountants here?

Can we deduct any of this if we donate the magazines to libraries, etc?</font>

Well, I'm an accountant, but I don't do tax so this is just my thought. I think I remember from basic tax class that you have to subtract the value of anything you received in return. For instance, if you bought tickets to a charity dinner for $300 but the dinner was worth $50, you would use only $250 in your calculation for your charitable deduction.

So, you would have to subtract the "value" of the miles. Seems like a lot of trouble. Maybe just the good feeling of getting miles cheap while donating is enough? Of course, the IRS probably won't know about the miles...it will be up to each person. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

This has been probably mentioned earlier/elsewhere but:

Don't forget to update your email address at least once. (well 2x if you've already got your desired email on file) Click on "My Account" and then click on the button that offers 500 points for updating your email address. MAKE A CHANGE to your email address and anything else in your profile. Submit and you'll instantly have another 500 GoldPoints. Repeat and correct your email address if necessary. You've just earned another 125 miles if you've been doing everything else correctly in this thread!

First, thanks for a great deal!
Second, I purchased my magazines on Saturday, 12/22 and as of 5 PM on 12/24 no points. When do you think I should start getting nervous?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by stef315:
Well, I'm an accountant, but I don't do tax so this is just my thought. I think I remember from basic tax class that you have to subtract the value of anything you received in return. For instance, if you bought tickets to a charity dinner for $300 but the dinner was worth $50, you would use only $250 in your calculation for your charitable deduction.

So, you would have to subtract the "value" of the miles. Seems like a lot of trouble. Maybe just the good feeling of getting miles cheap while donating is enough? Of course, the IRS probably won't know about the miles...it will be up to each person. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

I'm not an account either and I don't play one on TV. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif But I believe you're not quite right. Let's say a charity held an auction and you bid on a magazine subscription. Let's also say you got the high bid and paid $100.00. If the magazine normally sold for only $25.00, you could deduct the $75.00 difference.

But I believe donating the entire subscription is different since you are not getting anything in return (ie. the magazines.) I think it would be treated the same as a cash donation and that you could deduct the entire amount.

Well, it's all up to interpretation. As long as you can justify your position. Unless this instance has already come up and the ruling documented.

It doesn't matter to me anyway since I don't itemize. So, my advice is...ask your accountant! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Obviously ask your accountant but my lay man take is that since the institution you are donating the subscriptions to is not the one giving you the miles you are not receiving anything of value from the donee and thus need deduct nothing from the value of the donation. Well, I can hope anyway right http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jjkennedy1:
Say folks, I 99% sure I am going to do this deal but want to ask a question first. Which airline has the best FF program to get me from the U.S. (PHX) to Australia in FC or possible Business? How many miles? I'm a plat on CO if that is a consideration. Thanks.</font>

for the record, I DO NOT travel internationally and am not "in the know", but I do know that US Air and Continental have reward travel agreements with Quantas... I just got a BizClass ticket for someone on Quantas using US Air, I know you can do the same on CO...

If you intend to send a bunch of magazine subscriptions to one address (a relative, friend, etc.), be sure that the person doesn't live in an apartment (with the attendant tiny mailboxes, which fill up fast).

Also, along with sending subscriptions to libraries, you might want to consider sending some to retirement/nursing homes...I'm sure the list includes magazines which would be of interest to seniors. Look particularly for nursing homes in urban areas (the ones I've seen have very little in the way of amusements). It's probably a good idea to check with the director of the home for permission and to find out how the subscription should be addressed.

Thanks for your generosity!
Happy holidays!

Regina
"ClassicalGal"

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by broadwayblue:
i only wish they had some more popular magazines like Sports Illustrated or Time. over all i can't really complain.thanks again for all the info!</font>

as if you needed more magazines:
go to www.milepoint.com (http://www.milepoint.com)
by simply registering, you can a get a free subscription to Time or SI... no charge, no miles, etc...

~ http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif.. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif~

[This message has been edited by Bidkat (edited 12-24-2001).]

Made my first order today, no trouble. Talked to Shari, the CSR, by phone. As I already get too much **** stuff in the mail to read, what I'd really like to do is get longer subscriptions to the few mags I really like. Consumer Reports has several long-term subscription deals, including a lifetime one for, I think, $1000. The longest they offer on VM is 2 years.
Shari suggested sucscribing first for 2 years, waiting a few days, then extending the subscription with the same 2-year rate. (She did, however, request that customers only use this trick once -- didn't ask why.)

She also said that the owner is willing to consider suggestions for other mags, and that I should email him about it. I did, although it's probably too late for this promo for them to add any new pubs, esp. if he's "on vacation".

Good luck!

~Bid Kat

"Doing stuff is overrated. Take Hitler: he did a lot. But in the end, don't we all just wish he'd stayed home and gotten stoned?" -- the Steve

FYI:

well, looks like valuemags.com is expanding!

they're selling their own subscriptions on ebay (much like some FTers already are!)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Has anyone considered ordering the comics, instead of all the other options? I suppose there might be a better market for old comics than anything else....

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Mvic:
I have a similar question, which airline has the best FC award to Australia.</font>

I was interested in the same thing, so I checked the relevant airline sites. It seems to me that BA has the most generous offer at 175,000 miles as this also incorporates Concorde between JFK and LHR. Of course no-one can beat CX as far as the sleeper seats go and it requires less miles but Conorde is a once in a lifetime experience for most of us, so what's an extra several thousand miles to enjoy it?

I also wonder if the same award works the other way around?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">When I lived there you could take a deduction for charitable donations (1976). Has that changed or could you be mistaken?</font>

Obviously no one cares in the midst of this feeding frenzy http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, but CCRA (formerly Revenue Canada) allows deductions for US donations against US-source income only. That's why the PBS station in Buffalo used to say that contributions were deductible for Americans, and _might_ be deductible for Canadians.

andrew

andrew - many thanks!

actually, i was thinking that!

*hrm...time to go find me some us-source income*

merry christmas!
firefly

Fpound this on the S.P.A.M. section, great way to get some cash back on you magazines.

http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewListedItems&userid=kdl_ma+&include=0&since=30&sort=3&rows=25

Has anyone been able to get a complete listing of all magazines available @ Valuemags on one screen?
I'd like a URL and/or copy of the list if you have it.
Thanks.

Where on the Radisson or Goldpoints page can you find a list of the airline partners that are mentioned in this thread (the ones I could transfer all these Goldpoints to at a 4-to-1 ratio)? All I could find were some other less than attractive partners of these programs.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NYC1:
Where on the Radisson or Goldpoints page can you find a list of the airline partners that are mentioned in this thread (the ones I could transfer all these Goldpoints to at a 4-to-1 ratio)? All I could find were some other less than attractive partners of these programs.</font>

http://www.radisson.com/RAD/Gold_Rewards/GoldRewards.jsp?P0=&P1=redeem

"Exclusive Radisson Airline Partner Rewards
Only a Radisson Gold Rewards member is entitled to redeem Gold Points to airline miles at a 4:1 ratio. Redemptions are available at 2,000; 6,000; 10,000; 20,000; and 50,000 Gold Point increments. PARTICIPATING AIRLINE MILES PARTNERS: Air Canada, American, America West, Asiana, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Continental, Delta, EL AL, Gulf Air, Icelandair, Latin Pass, Mexicana, Midwest Express, Northwest, Qualiflyer, TWA, United, US Airways"

Anybody having difficulty with the valuemag site? I can't get orders to be accepted.

Also, orders under $400 will have miles posted quickly.

how can I confirm that my goldpoints account is correctly setup with my radisson account and that my points will be converted at 4:1?

I signed up and I thought I did everything right, but now when I click on "Redeem Frequent Flyer Miles" I see only the 10:1 ratio. Does this mean my radisson account is not correctly setup?

Thanks
Ron

one more thing... I've made an excel file which lists all magazines in all categories with prices for 1/2/3 years in separate columns. if you want a copy, send me a mail.

If anyone decides to go with Hickory Farms as variety (for 225 points, tho), HF is now offering 40% off of everything. Enter promo code SAVE40.

Dunno if points will be paid based on the pre-discounted price, as valumag appears to be doing, although I doubt it.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by lewinr:
how can I confirm that my goldpoints account is correctly setup with my radisson account and that my points will be converted at 4:1?

I signed up and I thought I did everything right, but now when I click on "Redeem Frequent Flyer Miles" I see only the 10:1 ratio. Does this mean my radisson account is not correctly setup?

Thanks
Ron</font>

you have to call the 800 number to redeem your miles. you can also have them set up your account to automatically deposit the miles in the future.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tvl4free:
If anyone decides to go with Hickory Farms as variety (for 225 points, tho), HF is now offering 40% off of everything. Enter promo code SAVE40.

Dunno if points will be paid based on the pre-discounted price, as valumag appears to be doing, although I doubt it.</font>

I just placed an order with Hickory Farms thru the Goldpoints link. I'll let y'all know if points awarded is before or after discount.

Look out... The Valumags goldpoints offer was pulled early. Go to goldpoints now, and they only give 150pts per dollar.

Looks like mile spy is out of business 3 days early.

Flip

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tvl4free:
If anyone decides to go with Hickory Farms as variety (for 225 points, tho), HF is now offering 40% off of everything. Enter promo code SAVE40.

</font>

FWIW, I just got home from the mall, and the Hickory Farms there was selling everything at 75% off. No miles, tho.

For what it's worth, I just called valuemags and they confirmed that indeed the promotion was pulled early ... but they say that it was ended by Goldpoints, not by valuemags, and that there is nothing they can do at this point. They did say that anything ordered before about an hour ago (roughly 4 pm Eastern time on the 26th) will be honored at the old promotion rate. I've also dashed off a quick note to goldpoints, urging them to reconsider -- while I doubt this will do any good, I'd urge any of you who planned on making further use of this to do the same.

Called to HF's stores in my area (So CA), and both are selling everything at 50% off. Where is the store with the 75% off? Maybe it's a regional thing.

Apparently, ALL HF stores are now only open seasonally. That means they'll all be done for the year by Dec 31. I'm stuck with $1000 in certs. I know they can be used at the site, but how do we know if they're open all year or not? Doesn't say.

Re ValueMags: True, the GoldPoints site now says 150 pts, but when you go to VM, it says you are earning 450. Probably just sloppy IT work, I know. Of course, with that belief, you can blame anything on the programmers and never have to honor any deal that suddenly becomes an inconvenience.

I just called valuemags to change the addy on an order. It is indeed over. It's now 150pts, and Shari said there is nothing they can do.

Edited to add: She also said if you placed an order over $400 the points will post sometime in the next 7 days.

Flip

[This message has been edited by flipside (edited 12-26-2001).]

Totally bummed http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif Just missed this one by a few hours!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by flipside:
[b]I just called valuemags to change the addy on an order. It is indeed over. It's now 150pts, and Shari said there is nothing they can do.

Edited to add: She also said if you placed an order over $400 the points will post sometime in the next 7 days.[b]</font>

thanks for the update. i ordered 1k on saturday and it hadn't posted yet...guess i'll see the points within the next week.

i wonder why Goldpoints pulled it...it's not like they are losing out on this deal...or are they?



[This message has been edited by broadwayblue (edited 12-26-2001).]

Sheri said that the only thing she knew was Goldpoints was getting "overwhelmed" and "couldn't handle the loads". She couldn't elaborate any further.

Sounds like we ripped another "too good to be true" program to shreds again. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Flip

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bidkat:
Called to HF's stores in my area (So CA), and both are selling everything at 50% off. Where is the store with the 75% off? Maybe it's a regional thing.</font>

Valley View Mall, Dallas, TX.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by flipside:
Sounds like we ripped another "too good to be true" program to shreds again. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Flip</font>

Well, it was going away in 5 days anyway. Maybe they'll bring it back again since it was so popular. (Probably with fewer pts.)

90,000 AAdvantage miles miles for almost nothing - I know I enjoyed it!!!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Aspirapolvere:
90,000 AAdvantage miles miles for almost nothing - I know I enjoyed it!!!</font>

yup, now i just need some help figuring out what to do with them!

So I'd love to hear how many miles people got from this promo?

I got about 400,000 MILES (1,600,000 points). This is still nothing compared to the 1,300,000 MILES I got from the Nutrigrain program! I've been too busy this time!

One more program and I'll be a 2MM. Can't wait.

[This message has been edited by olafman (edited 12-26-2001).]

Hi everyone!

Boy, I'll almost be glad when all this is over!

Anyway, tonight I had some points post from purchases made 12/23 and 12/24. At the time, the promo was still 450/dollar and said this on the banner at the top the whole time.

Well, guess what? The points that posted were exactly 150 points/dollar!! It's like they made the change retro-active!

I emailed Goldpoints, but will probably end up having to email Valuemags also. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I hope it turns out or I'll cancel those subscriptions even the ones I want. It stinks to "trick" you into ordering.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by stef315:
Hi everyone!

Boy, I'll almost be glad when all this is over!

Anyway, tonight I had some points post from purchases made 12/23 and 12/24. At the time, the promo was still 450/dollar and said this on the banner at the top the whole time.

Well, guess what? The points that posted were exactly 150 points/dollar!! It's like they made the change retro-active!

I emailed Goldpoints, but will probably end up having to email Valuemags also. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I hope it turns out or I'll cancel those subscriptions even the ones I want. It stinks to "trick" you into ordering.</font>


A purchase I made on 12/24 was also posted with 150 points per $1. I've email Goldpoints. Perhaps it's a programming error. Valuemags should get involved at this points if Goldpoints doesn't correct this as there's potential for a lot of cancellations for orders from 12/23-12/26.

I ordered a 12-month steak plan from Hickory Farms for $500+ at 225 points per $1. The $1130 12-month plan got away from me...

I'm having the same problem. I placed 2 orders on 12/24 and only one of them is showing at 150 points per dollar. What is valuemag and goldpoints email address? Thanks!

None of my many thousands of points have posted yet. However, everytime I placed an order, I took a "screen capture" of my list of magazines ordered. Of course the picture clearly shows the banner saying "you are now earning 450 Goldpoints per dollar." I did this just in case I have a problem and have to fight for the points. I don't think there should be a problem, but after what I've been reading, I'm kind of glad I this.



[This message has been edited by Neal (edited 12-27-2001).]

ooops

[This message has been edited by Neal (edited 12-27-2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by olafman:
So I'd love to hear how many miles people got from this promo?

</font>

Since I'm somewhat superstitious and don't want to count my chickens before they've hatched, I'll answer after I get ALL the points. But for now, I'll say the points are substantial! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by Neal (edited 12-27-2001).]

I spoke to a CSR at Goldpoints. I explained the 150:1 error for my 12/24 purchase, that it should 450:1. He stated he'd pass my request to the person working with Valuemags regarding the posting. I'll update this post once I hear from Goldpoints.

What's the best phone number to reach Goldpoints. I've been dialing their Customer Service line at 800 684-5373 and all I get is a recording to leave my phone number.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jaguar:
What's the best phone number to reach Goldpoints. I've been dialing their Customer Service line at 800 684-5373 and all I get is a recording to leave my phone number. </font>

Try 1-800-508-9000, I just called about the incorrect point I get for the order on 12/24. she said she will change its and take about 1 -2 week.

I got a slightly different story. I spoke to "Charles" at GoldPoints customer service, and he asked me to fax a receipt of my order.

Sounds like they may be a bit overwhelmed at GoldPoints.

eek!

i made a purchase greater than $400 on the 20th and it still hasn't posted. i'm hoping i don't have to email them and get on their back for retroactive point adjustments!

does anyone else have experience with that date (as opposed to the 23rd/24th)?

i hope flipside is right and that the points will post ASAP!

cheers

I made several large purchases (each around $2K+ for a total of about $9K) starting on the 19thlast one on the 24th, so far no points. Response from valuemags when I e-mailed them about releasing points so that they could post was, "contact goldpoints, if they have a problem we will sort it out". Contacted Goldpoints via e-mail and am still waiting for a response. Not really worried yet though as they have obviously been inundated. Afterall, it does say on their web site that points from online ordering can take up to 30 days to post. Infact I think that part of the problem may be the fact that there are allot of people contacting them to get their points posted in an expedited time frame.

Just got my response from goldpoints:

"
Thank you for contacting Gold Points Rewards regarding your online
purchase. Orders placed through the Gold Points website are eligible
for points. Unfortunately, orders placed in any other manner are not
eligible for points.

If you have placed the order in question through the website,
GoldPoints.com, and you have waited 30 days for your points to post,
please fax the receipt to ATTN: Processing Team at 763-212-5747. Make
sure to include:

1. Your name.
2. Your Gold Points Rewards account number.
3. The online partner name.
4. Order date.
5. Order number.
6. Sales amount.
7. Please confirm if your merchandise has been delivered.

When the above information is received, it will be forwarded to the
appropriate department to be researched. Thank you for your patience
and understanding."



[This message has been edited by Mvic (edited 12-28-2001).]

Hi there,

Could this work for someone NOT living in the USA/Canada?

Thanks

Lemanair,

The promotion for 450 points/dollar is over.

Flip

No, it's not... Here is the email:


Dear Jason,

Thank you for contacting Gold Points Rewards. The triple point
promotion does run to the end of the year. If you order from
Valuemags.com, please save your receipts and fax them to us at
1-763-212-5747 ATTN: processing team. Please include on the fax your
name and account number. Also mention that you may have only earned
150
points per dollar and not the 450 points.

Thank you.

Mike
Gold Points Service Center Team

great news for those who thought they had missed out...and those who want more miles!

GoldPoint web site clearly says only 150 points per dollar. I wouldn't count on getting 450 points/dollar for any purchases made now.

just got off the phone with customer service. First the guy said 450 points, then put me on hold and told me his "department head" told him it is back to 150 points and that they did end the promotion early.

Best not to chance it...

I'm sure there nothing fishy here but this whole thing with Goldpoints and Valuamags has gotten complicated and may leave a customer in a Catch-22 situation.

The Valuemags website states that you accumulate at the rate of 150 points per order (instead of 450 points just a few days ago). When I contacted Goldpoints they categorically state that:
a. the 450 points per dollar deal is still on until 12/31/01; and,
b. as mentioned before in this thread, Goldpoints will honor it if the incorrect points are credited.

Now, Valuemags also require the customer to sign a cancellation policy (already discussed here and in the Radisson forum). In essense, to avoid abusers who cancel as soon as they get their points, they are asking that you waive the right to cancel after 30 days from order, or 50% re-stocking fee within the 30-day cancellation period.

The Catch-22 here is that by the time you realize that either Goldpoints or Valuamags or both are not honoring the 450 points per dollar deal, you're stuck with a 50% re-stocking fee.

I tried to contact Valuemags but couldn't get a live person to talk to.

Am I right in this analysis or am I missing something?

I phoned goldpoints about an hour ago and was told that the 450 point deal was dead and that at the present time they had no intention of reviving it.

I received the email asking that I sign the form and fax it back to them before they will process my over $400 order. I have a problem with the form as it says the points will not be awarded until 30 days have passed and that since you only have 30 days to cancel your order it will not be able to be canceled at that point. What happens if you wait and they only give you 150 points/$1? (as they did with a smaller order I put in later). I put a statement on the form that I was only agreeing to the terms if the conversion rate was $450points/$1. I believe they are acting in good faith and I think this will work out fine, but I don't believe in agreeing to accept a deal without knowing what the terms are. I encourage others to also make additions to the form as they see necessary.

has anyone got confirmation that orders placed prior to the cancellation of the promo will be honoured at 450pts/dollar?

cheers

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">

The Catch-22 here is that by the time you realize that either Goldpoints or Valuamags or both are not honoring the 450 points per dollar deal, you're stuck with a 50% re-stocking fee.

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The way I look at it is like this; If Valumag renigs on the 450 per dollar as promised, the cancellation policy is null and void. Why? Because they didn't live up to their part of the bargain. In fact, that would be outright fraud.

But hopefully it won't be an issue. When I think about it, Valumag's great customer service makes me feel better. But then again, Click Rewards had great customer service too. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif