Lessons learned (or, Making plans for 2012)
#46
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: Starwood, Delta, American Airlines, USA, United
Posts: 223
I am still waiting on that NETWORK SOLN points to post! I had done the cheaper version like you did and then called to get them to switch it to a different domain ending and to go for the 3 years, but now they are saying that the frequent flyer number was not on the order. They told me to email them the order number, the frequent flyer account number and name, but their email gets returned as undeliverable. Did you have this same problem?
see their email:
I apologize for any issues you may have in getting your mileage points. However, upon research, I have determined that you did not enter your Frequent Flyer account information during the transaction, thus the reward was not processed. To have these miles added to your account, please send an email to [email protected] with your order number, FF Program Name, and your Frequent Flyer Account Number. You will be contacted by e-mail within 5 business days after we receive this information.
#47
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 2
I left a lot of hits on the table
As a newbie this is my first ever grandslam, and I've learned quite a lot not only about this promotion but the whole entire frequent flyer system:
- Have as many hotel rewards point memberships as possible. In this promotion you could have made 9 contributing hits (one per program), so that's 9 hits!
- Make Erewards a 365 day a year activity, why? Because not only do they count for 1 hit, but also you can earn points for the various hotel programs and then transfer points from hotel accounts into U.S. airways.
- Yes, erewards is time consuming, but if you do it for the hotel points, focus on programs that don't allow you to buy, and then earn hotel enough points to where you are comfortable paying for them. So maybe the first 4k are free, but you spend 11 dollars for the last 1000. ERewards, seems like its the key to this whole thing.
- Another key, car rentals. If you're like beltway, then you know DCA is metro accessible, and once you got down the routine, you can get a hit during lunch break. Also, plan ahead for car rentals, buy the cheapest rentals, during the promotion time. I got in on 2, but could have gotten 4 more at roughly 25 dollars a hit.
- Sometimes its a matter of luck, companies might take certain items off, while bloggers might expose some loopholes.
- Chase Sapphire, I wish I had this card so I can transfer all of my Ultimate Rewards from my Freedom card into hotel rewards programs.
- I was able to pull off 35k miles for $158. But had I used Erewards all year long or rented out more cards, this could have easily been 8 more hits, and overall 60k hits.
- Have as many hotel rewards point memberships as possible. In this promotion you could have made 9 contributing hits (one per program), so that's 9 hits!
- Make Erewards a 365 day a year activity, why? Because not only do they count for 1 hit, but also you can earn points for the various hotel programs and then transfer points from hotel accounts into U.S. airways.
- Yes, erewards is time consuming, but if you do it for the hotel points, focus on programs that don't allow you to buy, and then earn hotel enough points to where you are comfortable paying for them. So maybe the first 4k are free, but you spend 11 dollars for the last 1000. ERewards, seems like its the key to this whole thing.
- Another key, car rentals. If you're like beltway, then you know DCA is metro accessible, and once you got down the routine, you can get a hit during lunch break. Also, plan ahead for car rentals, buy the cheapest rentals, during the promotion time. I got in on 2, but could have gotten 4 more at roughly 25 dollars a hit.
- Sometimes its a matter of luck, companies might take certain items off, while bloggers might expose some loopholes.
- Chase Sapphire, I wish I had this card so I can transfer all of my Ultimate Rewards from my Freedom card into hotel rewards programs.
- I was able to pull off 35k miles for $158. But had I used Erewards all year long or rented out more cards, this could have easily been 8 more hits, and overall 60k hits.
#49
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Fairport, NY
Posts: 195
I have 20 working on 24
Jeez, you want us to start ANOTHER thread around here? What's up with that? There are already 27 hundred different threads going on, and there still isn't one for every hit. I mean, why don't Alamo and Hertz each have there own thread? Why combine the car rental hits? And there should be a LaQuinta thread, a Hilton thread (what's up with cutting Hampton Inn out of the promo?) and maybe even a separate no-show hotel thread. And on top of that, I think everyone should have their own "I have 17 hits with six more to post" threads. And another thing, why not have a dedicated "When is the next sweep" thread that folks can post in without reading the previous posts that contain the answer. I mean really, all these freaking different threads, why don't we simplify simplify simplify and just have one thread for the entire GS? Wouldn't that be simpler? Yeah, that's the ticket, one long thread with 411,672 posts. Then we can spend all our time telling people to use the search function. I think that's a GREAT idea, one super long thread. We should do it that way next year.
just asking.
ralph
#50
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 668
While what newbie says about hotel transfers is true (9 potential hits is pretty amazing) keep in mind most of the transfers are hugely destructive in terms of total value of the points/miles. E.g. even for the most rewarding hits (5000 miles a piece) you are losing total points for the hotel transfers. If you have any use at all for the hotel points this is not such a great route. I mean 10,000 Hhonors points going to 850 US miles is pretty crappy, even if you're getting 5000 US miles in the process.
The exception of course is if you have orphaned points. Also you're right that e-rewards might be okay for this, but it pains me to think of the time it would take to get to $150 on e-rewards for 10,000 Hhonors points just to get 5,850 US miles out of the deal.
If the transfer ratios were better hotel transfers would be a great option, but as it stands they're pretty bad in my opinion.
I think one of the great tricks is getting cheap rentals. I got 4 rentals this time, all for under $20 each. Those are pretty cheap hits, if a little time consuming, but if you can work them into your schedule regularly then they're pretty easy.
The exception of course is if you have orphaned points. Also you're right that e-rewards might be okay for this, but it pains me to think of the time it would take to get to $150 on e-rewards for 10,000 Hhonors points just to get 5,850 US miles out of the deal.
If the transfer ratios were better hotel transfers would be a great option, but as it stands they're pretty bad in my opinion.
I think one of the great tricks is getting cheap rentals. I got 4 rentals this time, all for under $20 each. Those are pretty cheap hits, if a little time consuming, but if you can work them into your schedule regularly then they're pretty easy.
#51
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, UA PS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,904
While what newbie says about hotel transfers is true (9 potential hits is pretty amazing) keep in mind most of the transfers are hugely destructive in terms of total value of the points/miles. E.g. even for the most rewarding hits (5000 miles a piece) you are losing total points for the hotel transfers. If you have any use at all for the hotel points this is not such a great route. I mean 10,000 Hhonors points going to 850 US miles is pretty crappy, even if you're getting 5000 US miles in the process.
The exception of course is if you have orphaned points. Also you're right that e-rewards might be okay for this, but it pains me to think of the time it would take to get to $150 on e-rewards for 10,000 Hhonors points just to get 5,850 US miles out of the deal.
If the transfer ratios were better hotel transfers would be a great option, but as it stands they're pretty bad in my opinion.
I think one of the great tricks is getting cheap rentals. I got 4 rentals this time, all for under $20 each. Those are pretty cheap hits, if a little time consuming, but if you can work them into your schedule regularly then they're pretty easy.
The exception of course is if you have orphaned points. Also you're right that e-rewards might be okay for this, but it pains me to think of the time it would take to get to $150 on e-rewards for 10,000 Hhonors points just to get 5,850 US miles out of the deal.
If the transfer ratios were better hotel transfers would be a great option, but as it stands they're pretty bad in my opinion.
I think one of the great tricks is getting cheap rentals. I got 4 rentals this time, all for under $20 each. Those are pretty cheap hits, if a little time consuming, but if you can work them into your schedule regularly then they're pretty easy.
#52
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ONT
Programs: AA Gold, WN A-, UA S, HH ♦, IHG Spire, Hertz Prez O, TSA Disparager
Posts: 2,159
I learned a couple of lessons during my first GS:
1) Priority Club posts their activity date as the check out day while HH and BW use check in date. I could have stayed at an IHC property the week GS2011 started an got an early hit.
My sixth hotel hit was going to be this Monday, November 14th at a HIX in Portland, but that wouldn't have counted. Luckily I did a one nighter at a BW and got the 6 hotel hits.
2) Read, and re-read the rules. I hit one foul ball by converting PC points to DM on points.com rather than going through PC. Expensive "miss" on my part as most of my PC reward nights are only 15,000 points.
1) Priority Club posts their activity date as the check out day while HH and BW use check in date. I could have stayed at an IHC property the week GS2011 started an got an early hit.
My sixth hotel hit was going to be this Monday, November 14th at a HIX in Portland, but that wouldn't have counted. Luckily I did a one nighter at a BW and got the 6 hotel hits.
2) Read, and re-read the rules. I hit one foul ball by converting PC points to DM on points.com rather than going through PC. Expensive "miss" on my part as most of my PC reward nights are only 15,000 points.
#53
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: Starwood, Delta, American Airlines, USA, United
Posts: 223
Start Early
Other things I learned:
1. Start early. I was working 4 accounts (and working full time!), so I would work 2 accounts hard, but the other 2 easy, then as we are getting close to the end of the game, I am realizing that maybe some of my hits may end up being foul balls based on when some of these companies post the points...
a. such as 1800 flowers, free shipping wasn't available until after 11/14/11 on most products, so I hope they post on order date, but I don't think they will.
b. such as sharebuilder, I didn't fund 2 accounts until 11/12/11 and now the next TUESDAY to do the trade will be 11/15/11! so, most likely will not be a hit.
c. such as emiles, even if I purchase something tonight (11/12/11) to make the transfer of 500 points, most likely they will not post before 11/14/11 deadline.
1. Start early. I was working 4 accounts (and working full time!), so I would work 2 accounts hard, but the other 2 easy, then as we are getting close to the end of the game, I am realizing that maybe some of my hits may end up being foul balls based on when some of these companies post the points...
a. such as 1800 flowers, free shipping wasn't available until after 11/14/11 on most products, so I hope they post on order date, but I don't think they will.
b. such as sharebuilder, I didn't fund 2 accounts until 11/12/11 and now the next TUESDAY to do the trade will be 11/15/11! so, most likely will not be a hit.
c. such as emiles, even if I purchase something tonight (11/12/11) to make the transfer of 500 points, most likely they will not post before 11/14/11 deadline.
#54
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
I mentioned this to a friend today, the best thing is next Aug keep an eye out if GS will be repeated and then start to follow the threads from get go. If you do then you wont be swamped with a bunch of threads that are pgs & pgs long. Write up a potential list of the Hits with the free and cheap ones on top, and note which ones although expensive you might need to do anyway eg a Hotel stay so its not wasted $$ and might even save you from having to purchase something even for $15 that you wouldnt need to do
thats how I did this yrs after jumping in late last yr, and did 36 each yr, with very little out of pocket this yr compared to last yr. cant stress the planing part enough!
thats how I did this yrs after jumping in late last yr, and did 36 each yr, with very little out of pocket this yr compared to last yr. cant stress the planing part enough!
#55
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: BOI
Programs: UA Silver, DL, AA, WN, Marriott, IHG Plat, Hertz 5*, National Exec
Posts: 285
Remember to REGISTER first!
Wife and I each got a pretty painless 16 hits plus a safety hit. Started to do some for little JeffISU though forgot to REGISTER her first! I registered myself/wife though spaced out the little one. Had all the miles post - 8 hits (should have been 10k bonus miles) with the only out of pocket cost of a $4 supershuttle ride along with the opportunity cost of e-rewards. Then got to thinking.. @!#$.. forgot to register her. Maybe I'll try and email and beg for mercy.. though a lesson learned for next year.
#56
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Appreciate the Grand Slam Thread.
Worked 11 accounts but quicky ran into vendors getting funky as to what would be a hit. What worked for a few accounts would suddenly stop working for the rest. Still, the game was profitable enough to consider for next year.^ And at least over here the vendors got more than game minimum spending revenue, so the promotion should have been profitable to them.
Worked 11 accounts but quicky ran into vendors getting funky as to what would be a hit. What worked for a few accounts would suddenly stop working for the rest. Still, the game was profitable enough to consider for next year.^ And at least over here the vendors got more than game minimum spending revenue, so the promotion should have been profitable to them.
#58
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,837
first of all major thanks to beltway--it was my first GS and he made it so much easier..
i would echo the points made about getting set up before gs started,i didnt even have a us account let alone know what emiles were so it was a lot of work....
i think the wyndham find(2 stay hits and a transfer for 100$) were pretty good.
i would agree it may pay to try to build up points throughout the yr..
btw,what makes everyone so sure there will be a GS next yr?
Do you think the vendors are making a lot of money on this?
what about US ?
i would echo the points made about getting set up before gs started,i didnt even have a us account let alone know what emiles were so it was a lot of work....
i think the wyndham find(2 stay hits and a transfer for 100$) were pretty good.
i would agree it may pay to try to build up points throughout the yr..
btw,what makes everyone so sure there will be a GS next yr?
Do you think the vendors are making a lot of money on this?
what about US ?
#59
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,742
I'm not so sure about a GS in 2013. The bloggers came late to the party this year. They won't be so slow in 2012. Each will probably have some sort of preview article about the promotion next year. And once the bloggers are all over it, I'm sure you'll start seeing articles in the general media about GS. Remember that a number of bloggers also have MSM contacts or occasionally get quoted in articles done by newspaper and magazine writers.
Although the increased numbers brought in through these channels may be good for US's partners in the short term, I think we've seen what happens when the spotlight of publicity hits matters that we normally take for granted (Sharebuilder, mint, certain award redemptions on various airlines).
If this is the way things unfold, I'm somewhat pessimistic that this promo will last beyond another year or two.
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,643
I think there'll be one next year because there's still room to tinker with the various elements to allow US and its partners to make this worthwhile.
I'm not so sure about a GS in 2013. The bloggers came late to the party this year. They won't be so slow in 2012. Each will probably have some sort of preview article about the promotion next year. And once the bloggers are all over it, I'm sure you'll start seeing articles in the general media about GS. Remember that a number of bloggers also have MSM contacts or occasionally get quoted in articles done by newspaper and magazine writers.
Although the increased numbers brought in through these channels may be good for US's partners in the short term, I think we've seen what happens when the spotlight of publicity hits matters that we normally take for granted (Sharebuilder, mint, certain award redemptions on various airlines).
If this is the way things unfold, I'm somewhat pessimistic that this promo will last beyond another year or two.
I'm not so sure about a GS in 2013. The bloggers came late to the party this year. They won't be so slow in 2012. Each will probably have some sort of preview article about the promotion next year. And once the bloggers are all over it, I'm sure you'll start seeing articles in the general media about GS. Remember that a number of bloggers also have MSM contacts or occasionally get quoted in articles done by newspaper and magazine writers.
Although the increased numbers brought in through these channels may be good for US's partners in the short term, I think we've seen what happens when the spotlight of publicity hits matters that we normally take for granted (Sharebuilder, mint, certain award redemptions on various airlines).
If this is the way things unfold, I'm somewhat pessimistic that this promo will last beyond another year or two.
I don't see an end to the program per se, since it's likely profitable for everyone involved in the end. But I do think that US continues to tighten up the rules.
Mike
ETA: For those of you who really want to thank Beltway, use him as a referral for the SPG Amex if you are at all thinking about getting it. I have it and it's my go-to card, particularly since 20K points equals 25K airline miles.