Mileage Run 101 session in DC -- date TBD
 

MESSAGE UPDATED TO REFLECT CURRENT PLANS:

Based on requests in Mileage run for folks to be PIMPed ("Please Improve Mileage Potential") I thought that as a going-away gift to the DC FTers, I could share some of my tactics on building itineraries.


DATES: Sept. 9

TIME: 7:00pm- session begins. Social time to follow.

LOCATION: Cyber Stop Cafe, 1513 17th St. NW
Between P St. and Q St. on 17th St.

Public computers and seating area are on the 2nd floor. The cafe also offers wireless internet.

METRO: Dupont Circle (Red line)

** The location is subject to change in advance if we find a better venue. Details will be posted here. **

(The location is not wheelchair accessible-- if someone would prefer an accessible location, e-mail me or post and we can change the location.)


===> I do not want to be quoted in the newspaper/media. I do not want the information I share to end up in the newspaper/media. I intend for the information I share to only be used by the attendees and their friends/family etc.

===> By attending the session, you agree to comply with my wishes as stated above.

[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 08-20-2003).]

Ah VJ, muchas gracias por la oferta, but my schedule is also very hectic right now. Any tips you you can impart over the board? tls

Despite my posts online....

.... I really don't like to type. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

In fact, many posts are pretty abbreviated-- I can give much more info in person.



[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 08-12-2003).]

I'm not sure what venue you were thinking for this. But I might be able to get you a couple of laptops to borrow if it were a hands on session. I know a bit about mileage runs, but could always learn more myself. I am based in BOS, but make it to DCA quite frequently.

Count me in for a tutorial in DC. I live in VA and work in the District. I have that traveling bug http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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Sheldon

Hello again, read your post, ill be in dc sept 13-15. always willing to learn. very new to MR's and am lets say, obsessed on getting elite next year.
mitch

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I just held 2 of the DC to MKE fares for a buddy and myself for that weekend... and now that the fare has evaporated, we can't tinker with it. That's why I originally thought Tues Sept 9 or Thurs. Sept 11, if not next Tues. or Thurs.

grbflyer, what time to you leave Sept. 15? Kinda doubt our paths will cross this time... but maybe later.

Where? Somewhere convenient. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I'm Metro bound.... I know there's a Cyber Cafe at Connecticut and 18th St. with wireless web, and I know another by 17th and P St. NW.... those would be centrally located and Metro accessible.

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Unrelated to jetsetter, but I want to put this forward for lurkers:

===> I do not want to be quoted in the newspaper/media. I do not want the information I share to end up in the newspaper/media. I intend for the information I share to only be used by the attendees and their friends/family etc.


The Post story on the Happy Hour in Feb. left a bad taste in my mouth--- I was there but told the reporter I didn't want to be quoted.


[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 08-13-2003).]

OK, my last post tonight-- it's after 3am:

re. date, I am bouncing between an Aug. date to give folks time to book Southwest-match fares--- or a Sept. date to allow advance purchase for folks who may fly in.

Or both.

What do interested folks think???

I would be next week in D.C., leave wednesday town again. I dont have the money for MRs right now (and I fly enough anyway to make *silver), but I wouldnt mind a little FT gettogether! Plus, I never managed to price out multi-segment trips on travelocity the way I wanted..I always call my TA and let her do the work.

Tuesdays work best for me. Just not this or next week. Afternoons or evenings. A fantastic idea! Perhaps we could make it into a dinner or something?

-FlyerBeek

I'd be interested to stop by, pick up a few tips, and meet the DC-area mileage run crowd, so I'll submit a strong "maybe" for any of those dates, except 9/11... I'll be taking the day off for a 1.3 cent/mile double-midcon to FLL. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Great idea! There is still more I need to learn...and my schedule is somewhat flexible for the next few weeks (so far!) ...

From the sample here and on the similar thread in Mileage Run, I'm thinking Tues. Aug. 19 and Tues. Sept. 9 both. I'll do it twice.

There were supposed to be monthly DC Happy Hours but people don't seem interested, so I'll call both of those dates my FT social days. I'll do the workshop twice.

I scouted out Ben N Mo's internet cafe at 18th and Connecticut-- they have computers with a 17" screen for $7/ half hour-- or $2/half hour to connect with a wireless laptop. For this group, though, I'd prefer a desktop over a laptop so people can see.

There's another cafe at 17th and P.... the space is a little cramped upstairs, but they have decent sized monitors from what I remember. I'll try to scout it out more.

[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 08-13-2003).]

What a great idea, and a very nice parting gift to DC FT'ers!! I'm interested ... next Tuesday works for me (for the moment), I don't know my September schedule yet.

You da man! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

THANK YOU!

I also second the idea that maybe we can make this into a dinner after the session, or if possible, a working dinner? If the cybercafe does have wireless connections for users with laptops that have 802.11b connectivity, that will also work. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'm also interested.

my flight on the 15th is:

dca - cle - dtw - msp - mke
6:30pm - 900pm - 10:15pm

I live in the DC area and will probably join you all to learn a little something. Is the September 9th date nailed down yet?

Yup. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Still need to find an appropriate venue-- to be posted later.

The Godfather of mileage runs is speaking. I'll make every effort to be there.

Of course with the master speaking it will probably be more like a 401 or graduate level course.
D

I hope travel4free will be (cough) invited.

Dan

Naah.... credit where credit is due: my hat's off to tvl4free, keithguy, channa, and others who keep the MR forum going. Of course, tvl4free and anyone else is welcome. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Hi:

I'm new to this board, though I've been an elite flyer for about 4 years now (Platinum on NW, Gold (soon to be silver) on DAL). I desperately want to keep my platinum on NW for next year, so I'm looking at mileage runs. Despite my travel experience, I'm not good at this other than thinking I should book a really long trip. I'm starting to understand how true mileage runs work and am VERY interested in learning more. Would this be of benefit, and something I could attend? It's not a problem getting to DC for those dates (though I'm going to be there twice again later in Sept).

What would be the closest metro stop to this place?

Thanks

Doh!

Dupont Circle.

The place is walking distance to my apt. so I forgot. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I would be interested in joining this group for one of those dates. Am a local resident so can attend anytime / place.

I'd be in for a 9/9 session as well. Will check this thread for confirmation of date/venue. Looking forward to meeting other FTers, as well as learning more from VJ!

CALfly5

VJ -- What time are you planning to start tomorrow? Also, is the place confirmed as ?

Thanks again for setting this up.

Updated info is in the first post on the thread:

See you there!



[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 08-18-2003).]

A bump and reminder..... see you guys at 7pm in the cafe listed in the first post.

Around computer #10, there are about 8 seats-- first come, first seated. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif There's standing room otherwise- as well as computers in the area if people would like to use them afterwards.


Finally, one thought: this informal session is in NO WAY a copy of the Mileage Run 101 primer-- I commend tvl4free for his effort and contribution of the Primer, and in no way will I infringe upon it by using it as a guide. In hindsight, naming this a Mileage Run 101 session may not have been a good idea.

Thanks!

yiiikkk

I am at that ben and mos place....


taking my stuff and running over there trying to find you guys (afrter I had been runnign all day thorugh georgetown)

Ugh!!! Just saw this and missed tonight's session. Is the one on Sept. 9th still on?

i have booked my ticket to dc (not much of a mileage run opportunity from sav, unfortunately) for the 09/09 session.

thanks, and see y'all there.

-- he who slacks

Viajero Joven,

Thanks for hosting this and imparting your wisdom. Too bad you're leaving. Its nice to have another NW/CO expert around.

Again Thanks,
spokemd

I just saw this post today! I will try my hardest to be a the 9/9 event - I will be there at 7PM but I'm supposed to be in Fairfax that evening at 9:30 - but I can be late! Thanks VJ - you're the greatest - we'll miss you DC when you leave!

Hey guys,

Thanks to all who came last night. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif And special thanks to Daydream who brought a little piece of Lufthansa for me. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


The session will go on Sept. 9 at 7pm, as listed in the first post. Same venue: I think it worked out well, was quiet and conducive to the discussion.

Re. content, I went through steps on how to spot low fares and find availability--- not specifically on how to maximize mileage. I figured these principles would have broader applications for both segment fliers and mileage fliers--- and for folks who just take a few trips a year. After all, miles and connections are nice, but the bottom line is price. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I'm glad to say that no reporters showed up- that I know. Although the 6 other computer users behind us all suddenly left when my explanation was finished. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif Guess we'll find out in tomorrow's Post.

Last note: I'll be on the road for the next couple weeks, so my response time may be a little slow, but I will be back in DC, ready for the next session by Sept. 9.

Viajero,

Thanks for the tips on making the most of an itinerary. It should save me a lot of time!

I did notice a strange thing on Amex ITN and Galileo that could've caused those problems with the example run... Flight 516 from PIT-PHL shows L4 availability on 9/16. However, when you try to enter BWI-PIT-PHL, it shows L0 availability for the same Flight 516???

dohvegas - you might be running into "married segments", where the airline assigns different availability to a segment depending on whether it is purchased in conjunction with another segment.

Viajero Joven - I was sorry to miss the session (and can't make the next one), but thanks for doing this!

I do not know how I missed this thread.

I have been wanting to jump into the wild wonderful world of MR, and I am in the area (Dupont Circle) -- will certainly try to make the 9/9 tutorial, but Tuesday nights are kinda hard for me.

Many thanks to Viajero Joven for your willingness to take the time. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


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Da DOK