If you have access, this link will take you there; if you do not, it will not.
Q. What is The Coupon Connection?
A.The Coupon Connection
The exchange forum for legally transferable coupons issued by various frequent traveler programs. This is N-O-T a forum for anything related to the buying, selling or barter of awards.
Q. What are the requirements for admittance?
A. The current requirements for admission privileges to The Coupon Connection Forum is a member must have 180 days of tenure on FlyerTalk and 180 (constructive) posts on FlyerTalk.
The Coupon Connection is intended for active participants and contributors to the airline/hotel/miles/points boards, granted as a privilege and for personal use - it is not an automatic right or perquisite of membership.
Q. How can I find The Coupon Connection?
A. If you qualify for admission, when you are signed in and look at the FlyerTalk Forums listing, toward the end of the listings you will find the Community group of fora listed, including CommunityBuzz! FleyerTalk Cares! and second form the end in this section, The Coupon Connection.
Q. I do not / no longer see The Coupon Connection on my Forum listing!
A. If you do not see The Coupon Connection as a Forum display in your lists, you have not been granted admission, or admission has been withdrawn (the most common reasons might include post padding - rapid or contentless posting - spending much of your time / posting in Coupon Connection attempting to trade, and the like.
Q. How can I learn more about The Coupon Connection?
A. When you are granted access, familiarize yourself with The Coupon Connection TOS in the "Welcome" message and in the stickies. Until then, enjoy and benefit from the amazing knowledge of FlyerTalk members.
The following is a note updated in March, 2005 by Randy Petersen regarding access to the forum:
"What we value most on FlyerTalk is dialog about the topic of miles and points. It's in our history and in our souls. The Coupon Connection grows out of the familiarity of Community, which is actually a good thing. However lately we've found that new members have become members of FlyerTalk to take advantage of the generosity of The Coupon Connection. I have strong feelings that this is not the best direction for FlyerTalk. As a result, we've instituted a feature of FlyerTalk that will limit access to The Coupon Connection to those members we feel have contributed enough to FlyerTalk to enjoy the benefits of posting on this forum. The idea that by posting in the miles, points and travel forums, members will better familiarize themselves with the other members they may exchange with later and have developed a sense of respect for the Community we call FlyerTalk. We feel that it's better to give first into the Community of FlyerTalk by way of content, advice and information than it is to be lined up at the goodie wagon. I feel that becoming part of the Community of FlyerTalk will go a long way toward enjoying the other benefits of this wonderful group of people. "
Cheers,
Randy.
The Coupon Connection should be viewed as a 'small secret’ for those who have contributed over time to the content that helps our many members. Coupon Connection access requires 180 days of FlyerTalk membership and 180 posts. Attempting to obtain access through post-padding or rapid-posting will result in the loss of Coupon Connection privileges, regardless of the content of such posts.
I am a frequent FT reader but infrequent poster (30 posts or so in a couple of years). I just found out about coupon connection. I would love to be able to use it and will start - slowly.... - posting more so as to eventually be allowed in. But my question for now is: is there an alternative respectable venue on the net for upgrade vouchers to be traded legally? I would like to be able to do so but a) want to do so within the T&C of my FF program and b) want to make sure as much as possible that I am trading with a reputable person.
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 6,695
Quote:
Originally Posted by alexperi
But my question for now is: is there an alternative respectable venue on the net for upgrade vouchers to be traded legally? I would like to be able to do so but a) want to do so within the T&C of my FF program...
(underline mine)
I am not aware of any website as you described. I do know people list travel items on eBay and/or craigslist that normally don't end well. Airlines representatives often monitor those (in)famous sites.
8. The sale or barter of any such mileage, certificates, awards or benefits other than as authorized and/or sponsored by United is expressly prohibited. Any mileage, certificates, awards or benefits transferred, assigned or sold in violation of the Program Rules, in addition to exposing the member to the penalties otherwise associated with violations, may be confiscated or canceled. The use of award tickets that have been acquired by purchase, barter or other conduct in violation of Program Rules may result in termination of membership, cancellation of accrued mileage, certificates, awards or benefits, confiscation of the tickets, denial of boarding with respect to the ticket holder, and, at United's discretion, completion of the travel only upon payment of an applicable fare.
Senior Moderator/Moderator: American AAdvantage, iDine, and Talkboard Topics
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA EXP / 5 MM; HH <>; SPG Gold; Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 35,227
Many airlines actively monitor a number of sites, notably eBay and Craig's List, but certainly others (including FlyerTalk), looking for those who violate the T&Cs (and especially those who trade often or who sell / buy / broker).
I know for a fact some airline audit folks actively even monitor FlyerTalk and The Coupon Connection (which means they are members in "stealth" mode, with over the minima of 180 days of tenure here and 180 constructive posts), and it appears they may cut some slack to those with an occasional quid pro quo between programs, etc. It doesn't indicate in any way this could not change with a change of departmental manager, etc. in the future.
So, no, I do not think there is an alternative respectable venue on the 'net where one can trade upgrade or other instruments reliably or safely, and I would personally extend that to say The Coupon Connection offers relative safety due to the strict monitoring that occurs there (anyone who "lives" in The Coupon Connection will undoubtedly be booted out, as will anyone with iffy offers, offers that include gift cards or other valuable consideration; those who "post pad" by posting fluff to gain access are generally excluded as well, by being filtered out, by having posts deleted, by having their post count reset or a combination of any or all).
In some cultures The Coupon Connection might be referred to as a kind of "zone of tolerance", but nobody knows how long this might last (witness Amsterdam and the cannabis "cafés).
I am posting as a longtime member here and not in my official capacity, but I am not posting anything that is not publicly known on FT. I'll also disclaim I have never used The Coupon Connection myself, though I have dropped by and lurked on occasion.
At no time may AAdvantage mileage credit or award tickets be purchased,
sold or bartered (including but not limited to transferring, gifting, or
promising mileage credit or award tickets in exchange for support of a
certain business, product, or charity and/or participation in an auction,
sweepstakes, raffle, or contest). Any such mileage or tickets are void if
transferred for cash or other consideration. Violators (including any
passenger who uses a purchased or bartered award ticket) may be liable for
damages and litigation costs, including American Airlines attorneys fees
incurred in enforcing this rule.
Use of award tickets that have been acquired by purchase or for any other
consideration may result in the tickets being confiscated or the passenger
being denied boarding. If a trip has been started, any continued travel will
be at the passenger's expense on a full-fare basis. The passenger and
member may also be liable to American Airlines for the cost of a full fare
ticket for any segments flown on a sold or bartered ticket.
Fraud, misrepresentation, abuse or violation of applicable rules (including,
but not limited to, American or American Eagle conditions of carriage,
tariffs and AAdvantage program rules) is subject to appropriate
administrative and/or legal action by appropriate governmental authorities
and American Airlines. Such action may include, without limitation, the
forfeiture of all award tickets, and any accrued mileage in a member's
account, as well as cancellation of the account and the member's future
participation in the AAdvantage program. In addition, American Airlines
reserves the right to take appropriate legal action to recover damages,
including its attorney fees incurred in prosecuting any lawsuit.
American Airlines reserves the right to audit any and all accounts at any
time and without notice to the member to ensure compliance with
AAdvantage program rules and applicable conditions of carriage and/or
tariffs. In the event that an audit reveals discrepancies or violations, the
processing of AAdvantage awards, mileage accrual and summaries may be
delayed until the discrepancies or violations are resolved satisfactorily to
American Airlines. Pending such resolution, members may be prohibited
from redeeming mileage credits for an AAdvantage award or ticket as
determined in American's sole discretion.
I have heard and read instances reported here on FlyerTalk that substantiate virtually every word in these paragraphs. AA has been quite aggressive about these issues, and the number of SWUs, miles awards, etc. on places like eBay has plummeted over the years as a result.
Quote:
Originally Posted by alexperi
Hello,
I am a frequent FT reader but infrequent poster (30 posts or so in a couple of years). I just found out about coupon connection. I would love to be able to use it and will start - slowly.... - posting more so as to eventually be allowed in. But my question for now is: is there an alternative respectable venue on the net for upgrade vouchers to be traded legally? I would like to be able to do so but a) want to do so within the T&C of my FF program and b) want to make sure as much as possible that I am trading with a reputable person.
Many thanks for the advice.
Alex
__________________ Visit FlyerTalk Cares! Forum: GIVE FOR BOSTON and more! link.
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Programs: HH Diamond, Priority Club Platinum
Posts: 19,145
Quote:
Originally Posted by alexperi
Many thanks for the reply. I am trying to increase my "constructive" posts in order to gain access to Coupon Connection... eventually!
You should note that if you try to increase your posts without them being "constructive," then you may find that your CC access is denied, at least for a bit. Our mods are pretty good at catching posting runs to gain access, and frown on that.
If you're looking to contribute to FT, you might consider checking out your geographical area forum, and seeing if there are any questions there you can answer, etc.
__________________
The church is near but the road is icy, the bar is far but I will walk carefully”
--Russian Proverb
Anyway to get around the 90 post requirement? I joined in 2005, but don't post much simply because I haven't wanted to water down already rich discussion. Now I'm in search of an extra SWU (after giving many away for several years)...
Programs: AA EXP 3.2MM, over entitled UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 24,819
Quote:
Originally Posted by marzomarz
Anyway to get around the 90 post requirement?
It's 180 now. As you didn't even have 90, it's doubtful even this post would apply to you:
Quote:
Originally Posted by SanDiego1K
I've gotten some very thoughtful notes from those who have had access to Coupon Connection, and did not want to lose access with the new entry requirements. These are all people who had access by May 10 when Talkboard enacted the new requirements. I am very open to those. I do not want the FlyerTalk experience to change for those who were participating. But if you never had access, I am not granting waivers. Talkboard went thru a lengthy, careful consideration of the metrics to use for participation in Coupon Connection. I am honoring the limits they have imposed.
SanDiego1K
Community Director
__________________ Link to my travel photos new: Dublin,Helsinki, London, Salzburg, Munich, Leipzig, Berlin
Considering the person had 40-something when I first read this, and are now up to 60+, I'd think our CC mods are already paying attention.
Trying to tread carefully. Not a big fan of posting runs, but also trying to be more active on the posting front since I'm a pretty faithful reader. Perhaps I can find the right balance.
Just not much of a talker and don't really consider myself an expert. But I did add one or two posts I thought might be useful and unnoticed by others (IST Mile Run). I suppose I just need to do those type of things more frequently. I log about 100 nights on the road and fly about 150K-175K each year, but I'm a pretty vanilla traveler.
I do like your suggestion of monitoring the geo section for your area. Based in DC and frequently in other cities so I could probably add value there.
Could probably also add value on the restaurant front in a variety of cities so perhaps I'll look into a way of doing that. Given my day job, tech is also a reasonable place to try to add value.
Programs: AA EXP 3.2MM, over entitled UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 24,819
Quote:
Originally Posted by silverforumsurf
I wonder if the mods also IP ban any airline IPs to keep CC safe
Airline employees and representatives are welcome on all of the forums of FlyerTalk, so the answer would be no. If they meet the entry requirements, they're welcome in any forum with restrictions.
If you're on a Coupon Connection run, your posting strategy is going to come back and bite you. You've posted 36 times just in the last hour. Prior to that, your last posting activity was in July. Think that might stand out?
__________________ Link to my travel photos new: Dublin,Helsinki, London, Salzburg, Munich, Leipzig, Berlin
