New name for what we do
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: US, AA, UA, SPG, HHonors, PC
Posts: 235
New name for what we do
More and more I am seeing people refer to what we do to get miles/points and status as "travel hacking". I hate that term. "Hacking" refers to something underhanded or sneaky. That is not what we do. Most of us play by the rules and just take advantage of offers made, or we use various tips and tricks to our advantage (like a mileage run to get status). This is not underhanded.
So, any ideas for a new term or phrase to use?
So, any ideas for a new term or phrase to use?
#2
In Memoriam
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: dallas texas usa
Programs: aa plt 4.9MM LTAC
Posts: 14,828
greedy cheapskates?....milkers?....you get what you churn?....
rewind about 20 years & i would be leading the pack, but no need anymore, i haven't even done a mr in the last 6 yrs....but hackers or whatever, have at it....
rewind about 20 years & i would be leading the pack, but no need anymore, i haven't even done a mr in the last 6 yrs....but hackers or whatever, have at it....
Last edited by clacko; Aug 5, 2011 at 1:41 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 76
More and more I am seeing people refer to what we do to get miles/points and status as "travel hacking". I hate that term. "Hacking" refers to something underhanded or sneaky. That is not what we do. Most of us play by the rules and just take advantage of offers made, or we use various tips and tricks to our advantage (like a mileage run to get status). This is not underhanded.
So, any ideas for a new term or phrase to use?
So, any ideas for a new term or phrase to use?
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: US, AA, UA, SPG, HHonors, PC
Posts: 235
I realize their are other definitions for the term. However, I'd venture a guess that the overwhelming majority of people have a negative connotation of the term.
#9
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,173
...
I would call my self a travel points collector.
I think UberLords of travel points is probably taken.
mile offer sluts....can't say no
credit card company nightmares.....we sign up for points and carry no balances....have you seen the interest rates on some of the cards you get? back in the day only greedy greedo loan sharks would charge that much and get away with it.
connoisseur of credit card offers....only the best will do
award travelers....plain and simple
Masterful magicians of Miles...MmM alliterative
Freestyle Travelers....FT for short...ooopps thats taken too.
I think UberLords of travel points is probably taken.
mile offer sluts....can't say no
credit card company nightmares.....we sign up for points and carry no balances....have you seen the interest rates on some of the cards you get? back in the day only greedy greedo loan sharks would charge that much and get away with it.
connoisseur of credit card offers....only the best will do
award travelers....plain and simple
Masterful magicians of Miles...MmM alliterative
Freestyle Travelers....FT for short...ooopps thats taken too.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 539
Language changes over time and as life hacking/etc gain prominance the connotations will change because the activities are more relatable to most people. The "majority" of people don't even understand what the hell churning, tricking, mileage run, or I'd venture even "status," mean in the context of travel. And to be fair most of the terms the media uses for things FT people do originate within this subculture, so I guess I just don't really see what you're all up in a huff about. Basically, given the origin of the word hack, how it developed with hackers and is still used by some of the technically proficent that overlap here, it's not at all suprising that this is happening.
""In other words to "hack" at an original creation, as if with an axe, is to force-fit it into being usable for a task not intended by the original creator, and a "hacker" would be someone who does this habitually.""
"In a very universal sense, hacker also means someone who makes things work beyond perceived limits in a clever way in general, without necessarily referring to computers...That is, people who apply the creative attitude of software hackers in fields other than computing."" Blah blah.
""In other words to "hack" at an original creation, as if with an axe, is to force-fit it into being usable for a task not intended by the original creator, and a "hacker" would be someone who does this habitually.""
"In a very universal sense, hacker also means someone who makes things work beyond perceived limits in a clever way in general, without necessarily referring to computers...That is, people who apply the creative attitude of software hackers in fields other than computing."" Blah blah.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
Loyalty program gamer. The idea is not to "hack" (subvert) the programs but take them for all they're worth via legit and defensible, if sometimes extreme, means.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott // WN, AA, BA, UA, AS // Avis
Posts: 1,314