The Points Guy: We never accept free flights [merged TPG discussions]
#64
Join Date: Feb 2004
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#65
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
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Methinks this is more to stay in line with the new FTC guidelines for bloggers. Most bloggers will insist they don't take comps, but its a very grey area. For example some buy a cheapo economy ticket on a flight and then ask/beg the airline to open up upgrade inventory.
Journos have compliance policies if they are employed (not freelance). Even then the PR departments at the airlines will make sure they get special reporter fares or revenue management opens up a lower booking class for them. Also the occasional op-up is known to happen...
Journos have compliance policies if they are employed (not freelance). Even then the PR departments at the airlines will make sure they get special reporter fares or revenue management opens up a lower booking class for them. Also the occasional op-up is known to happen...
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
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The focus on comped trips is a bit of a smokescreen in my view. None of us review airline seats with the mindset of someone who paid hard cash for it out of their own pocket, and if we did we would be more critical.
We also all have huge piles of miles to burn. It isn't as if we must get a free seat or room or we won't be travelling - we just burn a few points instead.
There is far more pressure from other quarters. One major hotel group believes that, if you have its affiliate links, it can email you and ask you to remove posts which it does not like. Many of us also take direct advertising and that brings its own implicit pressures.
My way around this is that I only do 'nice things'. Life is too short anyway. If Air Kazakhstan want me to review their new Y seat then I won't be doing it. Neither will be I checking into a one-star hotel anytime soon for a freebie. I only do stuff that I would be happy to spend my own money on in the first place. If I stay in a hotel for free it means a night away from my wife and young kids which - whilst sometimes good for a recharge! - is not ideal.
We also all have huge piles of miles to burn. It isn't as if we must get a free seat or room or we won't be travelling - we just burn a few points instead.
There is far more pressure from other quarters. One major hotel group believes that, if you have its affiliate links, it can email you and ask you to remove posts which it does not like. Many of us also take direct advertising and that brings its own implicit pressures.
My way around this is that I only do 'nice things'. Life is too short anyway. If Air Kazakhstan want me to review their new Y seat then I won't be doing it. Neither will be I checking into a one-star hotel anytime soon for a freebie. I only do stuff that I would be happy to spend my own money on in the first place. If I stay in a hotel for free it means a night away from my wife and young kids which - whilst sometimes good for a recharge! - is not ideal.
Last edited by Raffles; Jun 24, 2015 at 2:41 am
#69
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What percentage of BA bloggers have even paid $2,500 per person from their own pocket for a single flight? Very slim.
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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i really need to learn more about buying miles.
#71
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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There's no reason to speak for everyone. Especially when doing so misrepresents reality.
#72
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#73
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