This is why we can't have nice things [mightytravels.com talks about MS on CNN]
Jun 17, 2014, 5:02 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, RC/Marriot Platinum, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 388
This is why we can't have nice things [mightytravels.com talks about MS on CNN]
Not sure if this has already been posted:
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/17/tr...html?hpt=hp_c5
My favorite part is how he claims to have "hatched this scheme" himself. He should talk to Al Gore, creator of the internet.
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/17/tr...html?hpt=hp_c5
My favorite part is how he claims to have "hatched this scheme" himself. He should talk to Al Gore, creator of the internet.
Jun 17, 2014, 6:49 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Morning Calm, Marriott Plat., Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 297
Jun 17, 2014, 7:22 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,749
I'll be interested to see if the entire gift card method remains viable. Once the Mint hit the MSM, it died quickly thereafter. In addition, aren't gift card purchases with Citi cards frequently considered cash advances? We know that's the only change Amex and Chase would need to make to grind this avenue to a halt.
On the other hand and ignoring the bloated costs he incurred, the investment he made hardly seems worth the return--sure you can save some money on business class tickets, but most people aren't going to drop $6500 to save money on tickets they're not likely to purchase anyway. So, I wouldn't expect many people to follow this guy's lead.
On the other hand and ignoring the bloated costs he incurred, the investment he made hardly seems worth the return--sure you can save some money on business class tickets, but most people aren't going to drop $6500 to save money on tickets they're not likely to purchase anyway. So, I wouldn't expect many people to follow this guy's lead.
Jun 17, 2014, 8:21 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, AS, DL, BA, F9, IHG Plat, HH Gold, CC Gold, SPG Gold, MR Silver
Posts: 1,786
Jun 17, 2014, 8:26 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS
Programs: SPG Plat. Marriott Plat. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Diamond. IHG Plat.
Posts: 2,580
Jun 17, 2014, 11:56 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
Not sure if this has already been posted:
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/17/tr...html?hpt=hp_c5
My favorite part is how he claims to have "hatched this scheme" himself. He should talk to Al Gore, creator of the internet.
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/17/tr...html?hpt=hp_c5
My favorite part is how he claims to have "hatched this scheme" himself. He should talk to Al Gore, creator of the internet.
Jun 18, 2014, 5:20 am
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
Jun 18, 2014, 5:31 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
More amazing is that the "journalists" at CNN didn't bother to do a couple quick Google searches to see if this was something unique or not.
Jun 18, 2014, 6:16 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SMF
Programs: Hilton Diamond-Marriott Platinum-life
Posts: 1,015
This is why we can't have nice things
Interesting maybe his next story will be on he "found" a way to beat hotel prices. Mid-May he asked me for the web site I used on a successful LNF ( Marriott) hotel booking in London.
Last edited by mike2200; Jun 18, 2014 at 9:12 am
Jun 18, 2014, 7:53 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin
Programs: AA P4L, WN, BA, DL, UA, HHonors, IHG
Posts: 3,485
One big difference was that the Mint was seen as 'people cheating us taxpayers,' so folks probably complained to their elected representatives. With GCs, there is no obvious victim.
Jun 18, 2014, 12:52 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Really though, it's never good to have things like this on a major news(ish) website like CNN. No, these things aren't secret but having discussions about them going from FT and miles blogs to major venues just increases the risk of something dying sooner than it otherwise might have. At best, it certainly does no good, other than 15 minutes of mild publicity for the interviewee.
Jun 18, 2014, 1:24 pm
#15
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,612
