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The Points Guy: We never accept free flights [merged TPG discussions]

The Points Guy: We never accept free flights [merged TPG discussions]

Old Jul 28, 2015, 1:01 pm
  #106  
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Originally Posted by Astrophsx
In his response he wrote "paid full price for this meal"... yet there are two meals?


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.
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Old Jul 28, 2015, 6:16 pm
  #107  
 
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Originally Posted by sbm12


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.
+1
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Old Jul 29, 2015, 11:38 am
  #108  
 
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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.
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Old Oct 8, 2015, 11:34 am
  #109  
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TPG in Vice -

http://www.vice.com/read/how-to-trav...world-for-free
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Old Oct 8, 2015, 12:12 pm
  #110  
 
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Originally Posted by bhatnasx
And f-word comes back. No, not the repeated f-bombs he drops trying to sound cool, but "free." It ain't free!!!
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Old Oct 8, 2015, 3:10 pm
  #111  
 
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Originally Posted by skunker
And f-word comes back. No, not the repeated f-bombs he drops trying to sound cool, but "free." It ain't free!!!
What?! How can you question such a celebrity...

(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.
I like, totally want to get his autograph one day!
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Old Oct 8, 2015, 4:30 pm
  #112  
 
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Originally Posted by bhatnasx
"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
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Old Oct 8, 2015, 5:16 pm
  #113  
 
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He started blogging in 2010 and sold out what, a year later?

Pioneer of what exactly?
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Old Oct 8, 2015, 8:23 pm
  #114  
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Originally Posted by ctownflyer
He started blogging in 2010 and sold out what, a year later?

Pioneer of what exactly?
Pioneers rode wagons.

He hopped on the bandwagon.

Pioneer!!! @:-)
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Old Oct 8, 2015, 8:48 pm
  #115  
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maybe #2 pioneer after FTG, in terms of mainstreaming it
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Old Oct 8, 2015, 8:57 pm
  #116  
 
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Originally Posted by ctownflyer
He started blogging in 2010 and sold out what, a year later?

Pioneer of what exactly?
Selling out
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Old Oct 9, 2015, 1:49 am
  #117  
 
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Originally Posted by Astrophsx
"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
LOL, #truth

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. "
- as one who has extensive knowledge of casino AP (advantage play moves). Most of the "airline moves" are loopholes (airline or otherwise) that are exploited (not saying it is right or wrong, just saying... and that goes for credit card churning). The "game" against the casinos is much much different. It's a battle that's based on organisations that believe they have the edge (the casinos) and want your money. Airlines, just provide a service from point A to point B; they are not out to bankrupt you or push you to the outer limits of financial ruin... well... unless you always buy full fare first class tickets. :-)

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!
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Old Oct 9, 2015, 5:44 am
  #118  
 
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Originally Posted by ctownflyer
Pioneer of what exactly?
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.
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Old Oct 9, 2015, 8:37 am
  #119  
 
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Originally Posted by AlxStevens
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.
I think a select few on here will point out that the success has more to do with being at the right place at the right time. I'm sure he put a lot of hard work into creating what he has now, but a decent amount of people on FT might feel that these bloggers exploited the community for personal gain. Either way, I think it is great when someone finds a job they enjoy and can become successful at it.

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?
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Old Oct 9, 2015, 9:47 am
  #120  
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Originally Posted by Astrophsx
Correct me if I'm wrong here but Brian is paid (beyond referral commission) to endorse Chase Sapphire and SPG Amex?
Pretty sure that has been the case in the past. No idea if it still is.
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