The Points Guy: We never accept free flights [merged TPG discussions]
#106
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
It is quite common to say "We had a meal" whether saying it was for one person or for two. Suggesting that's the "smoking gun" to prove it is a comp is really grasping at straws.
There is no doubt that at one point TPG did accept comps. They say they're not doing that now. And the common belief is that the site is making plenty of cash through CC affiliate links to be able to afford things like that meal. Especially after calling it a business expense and knocking 30% off the price.
#107
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: All of Them
Posts: 511
It is quite common to say "We had a meal" whether saying it was for one person or for two. Suggesting that's the "smoking gun" to prove it is a comp is really grasping at straws.
There is no doubt that at one point TPG did accept comps. They say they're not doing that now. And the common belief is that the site is making plenty of cash through CC affiliate links to be able to afford things like that meal. Especially after calling it a business expense and knocking 30% off the price.
#108
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 1,139
Here's a delayed response to a question above.
Why do I still read TPG? Two reasons, primarily.
First, I think the monthly points/miles values round-up is really good. So that's once a month.
Second, they do occasionally run something pretty decent. Recently, for one specific example, I really liked the week-long series on East Coast Admirals Clubs.
I have to admit, though, that most of what they post isn't even readable . . . at least for me. The merits, e.g., accuracy and relevance, then become almost besides the point. Of course, there's that issue, too.
Why do I still read TPG? Two reasons, primarily.
First, I think the monthly points/miles values round-up is really good. So that's once a month.
Second, they do occasionally run something pretty decent. Recently, for one specific example, I really liked the week-long series on East Coast Admirals Clubs.
I have to admit, though, that most of what they post isn't even readable . . . at least for me. The merits, e.g., accuracy and relevance, then become almost besides the point. Of course, there's that issue, too.
#109
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#110
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,387
#111
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
(He earns his a living by way of ads for credit cards on his website, but says he doesn't take any freebies from advertisers.) As such, he's treated like a celebrity in the travel and consumer advocacy blogospheres.
#112
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,736
For someone who has difficulty using an iPhone to take photos, comparing them to a card-counter at a casino is a bit of a stretch.....
#PinchMe
#114
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
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#117
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Posts: 8,170
"He's a pioneer of a larger community of so-called "travel hackers," many of whom game the system like card-counters at a casino."
For someone who has difficulty using an iPhone to take photos, comparing them to a card-counter at a casino is a bit of a stretch.....
#PinchMe
For someone who has difficulty using an iPhone to take photos, comparing them to a card-counter at a casino is a bit of a stretch.....
#PinchMe
I wrote this somewhere else, and don't get me wrong. I have no issues with "Travel Hacking," just please don't compare it to casino AP moves.
This is not a proper correlation, IMHO :
"He's a pioneer of a larger community of so-called "travel hackers," many of whom game the system like card-counters at a casino. But Kelly just uses common sense and aboveboard methods that you don't have to be Rain Man to understand. "
Or to put things another way. Casinos say : We challenge you to win. Airlines say : Please fly us, we are the best. Not, we challenge you to fly in our premium cabin for $6 ready-set-go!
#118
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, AA Platinum Pro, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 260
He's a pioneer of marketing a miles and points blog to the general public, that's for sure - and making money off it.
His blog and his personality are tailored to a broad audience, not to mention the composition of his company. His EIC, Zach Honig, for example was at Engadget (one of the biggest blogs in the world during his tenure there) and worked for PR/Marketing companies after that before going to TPG.
As someone in marketing, I love how the concept of being broadly successful is "selling out" - but I suppose it's the same with any tight-knit community (indie music, art, etc) who thinks that it all belongs to them.
I've never met Brian, and I don't enjoy his blog as much as I once did, but I appreciate his hard work and success and don't really understand the criticism.
His blog and his personality are tailored to a broad audience, not to mention the composition of his company. His EIC, Zach Honig, for example was at Engadget (one of the biggest blogs in the world during his tenure there) and worked for PR/Marketing companies after that before going to TPG.
As someone in marketing, I love how the concept of being broadly successful is "selling out" - but I suppose it's the same with any tight-knit community (indie music, art, etc) who thinks that it all belongs to them.
I've never met Brian, and I don't enjoy his blog as much as I once did, but I appreciate his hard work and success and don't really understand the criticism.
#119
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,736
The article was poorly written and the journalist seemed to do little to no research or fact checking. That is why you are seeing the criticism. The article reads like an advertisement. Correct me if I'm wrong here but Brian is paid (beyond referral commission) to endorse Chase Sapphire and SPG Amex?
#120
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