Good day everyone!

Long time lurker, 3 time registerer (for some reason my old user names never worked again and when I tried to retrieve my password it said email not registered but when I tried to re register it said email already in service...not important now though)

I'm 24, my wife and I live in the Caribbean and try to travel as much as we can which can be tough as it seems like we live in the most expensive per mile travel area in the world (or at least that I've seen). We're AA travellers by seeming necessity as they offer the most flights in our area aside from small carriers that don't offer FF miles. Used to fly a lot on hawaiian and alaska and had status for a few years but no more, still have miles sitting around though and would love to find some place where I could trade them for something more useful to me.

Took a couple trips this year so far, Puerto Rico twice, Europe (Germany, Czech, Switzerland by car and Spain) and the States to visit family. Trying to knock off another one this year, maybe try to do a mileage run if possible. Next year we're off to Malaysia, Australia, China and Taiwan! Unfortunately only about half the flights are Oneworld, though going to try and get AA credit on the EVA air flights as they codeshare sometimes, but it's our first rewards trip together for part of it and we'll be in first class!

Probably going to be doing a couple more credit cards before the trip, looking at priority pass and something to hold onto for no foreign trans fees, maybe Chase sapphire preferred.

Thanks for all the info and looking forward to many more visits!

New in this game
 

Hi, just got my card and have flown with SouthWest on twice. I LOVE THEM!!! After having an American airlines steward shove me and my disabled daughter as we were trying to get into an onboard bathroom....with no offer of making it right.....no, with refusal to make it right....I booked with Southwest and have chosen them as my mode of flying. They are wonderful!!!! Very friendly!!! Felt like I was flying with family. Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Our next trip has been taken care of with our bonus points. Couldn't be happier!! And, of course, and easy 1,000 points here. What a pleasant surprise!!

Thanks FT. I've been reading for over a year and have used your advice, deals and understanding of the FF systems to greatly improve my grant/state university funded (ie cheap as possible) international travel for work and as well as some nice personal vacations with accrued miles and hotel points. I'll be looking forward to contributing more now that I'm understanding the games better. Thanks to all who contribute!

frequent flyer mileage points
 

deleted by moderator

deleted, discussed between Willie & goalie.

Thought I would post an introduction before attending the upcoming Chicago Seminars.

What I love most about FT is that logic rules this site (relative to the rest of the world). Everything is straight to the point, my kind of people! The people that can't take A and B and derive C get put in their place.

I'm part of the small percentage of women on FT, in my mid twenties, recently left industry and am enjoying traveling as well as my own academic research pursuits (currently a student at Northwestern University). My background is in tech (lots of eCommerce), ventured out to a silicon valley start-up when I was 16, then on to Google and others.

Hope to find intelligent people to meet up with along the way or otherwise work together to mastermind these programs. I would make excellent mileage run or travel company to share in hotel/rental car costs - easy going, great listener, highly rational. Based out of ORD, often MKE and sometimes SFO.

Welcome linuxchick! I can't wait to bash you on your thoughts! Haha I'm a Mac guy, but I can't wait to see your posts!

Just wanted to pop in and say hi to everyone.

Wish I can join you guys in Chicago this weekend. Guess that'll have to wait till the next seminar!

I have always loved collecting points, miles, but not at the level of passion as many of the FTers here.

However, after scoring my inaugural F class flight on CX last year using a combination of SPG and AA points, I am now all fired to learn all I can about living a fine life on miles and points! :)

Looking forward to learning from all the experts on this board!

Introduction
 

Hi I'm a 35 yr old nurse, living in Australia, with house mate. Working at same hospital 12 years. Looking forward to my first overseas trip ticket paid to see family in Europe after 30 years- wow!!! Time flies. I have many more trips in mind. I feel blessEd in my work to have had the privilege to have looked after many souls in the last 16-17years. In my free time I enjoy walks, reading cinema , chatting . Like a mix of social and quiet time. Looks like a great website- planning to make the mOst of my holidays when I get them- so this maybe a great website to visit. Thankyou.

Hi, All,

I've been an infrequent traveler until this year - prior to that, spouse traveled very often for work and like to stay at home on his off time except when I'd drag him out once a year so I could see something other than the house and yard. Unfortunately, he passed away (ALS) in his late 50s before we got to do so many things we wanted to. Now I'm going to start going to some of the places I've always wanted to see as life is way too short!

Sticking to the states this year (first year with a new employer - after DH died, former employer decided to eliminate my position), planning for Africa and a photo safari next year, Europe after that, Asia once I get my "International" feet well under me!

I love reading flyer talk (lurking for years - I've traveled vicariously through many of you). I had my first comical experience on a flight from MCO back to CLT (home base). I always book window seats, and as I neared my row, saw an Oriental gentleman in the aisle seat (middle was, and remained, empty :) ). I smiled, said hello and asked if he'd please let me in - he shook his head no, grinning from ear to ear. I asked again, still politely, he did the same thing. This time, I shook my head yes and said now please get up - he started laughing and stood to let me take my seat. Not sure he spoke much of any English (or he was pulling my leg with the seating thing) because he never spoke but we nodded and smiled whenever I looked up from my book. When we reached our destination, he got up and bowed me out of the row!

Looking forward to learning more, through experience this time!

Hi all,

I've been doing this on and off flying thing, and last year was my off period (sadly I didn't know this forum exists, and I got demoted on my flyer program, so sad). I hope to join the forum and talk with some expert of points collectors here =)

My home base, which is temporary, is Hong Kong, and I've been with Asia Miles / Marco Polo for quite some time. As I mentioned above, I got to Silver and that's where work grounded me for a year, and not surprisingly, bumped back to Green. Bummer!

Anyway, hope to chat and learn stuffs from y'all. Cheers!

"I just achieved AIR CANADA ELITE (GOLD) status today and I am just one flight away from achieving Gold on American Airlines as well. I keep wondering if someone has ever achieved Gold status on both Star Alliance and One World in the same year..."

Congratulations. Unfortunately you will find around here that is hardly a rare achievement. Many have mid and even top tier in two or more programs, be they in the same or different alliances. But you gotta start somewhere...and as you say, you pay for your own tickets which does make a significant difference!

Yes, I currently hold Pandion (EBG) and BA gold.

Hi!

Been lurking a good few months, finally joined :)
I'm a student in Edinburgh. Compared to most of you here, I travel infrequently, but I'm going to play the student card in my defence! Based at EDI means a good half of my travels are with EZY. The rest? I try and find more interesting options, but more often than not EZY. I have a preference for BD, Britain's favourite dysfunctional airline, although going on today's news I think I might be a bit late on the scene!

I am a recently retired Naval Flight Officer who is exploring the job market trying to find my next career (or as I like to say - figure out what I want to be when I grow up). In my 20+ years, I have held numerous and varied leadership positions covering the gamut of one direct report, crews of 23, divisions of over 100, and departments of over 30. My education is a BS in Aerospace Engineering and a Masters of Aeronautical Science specializing in both Aviation/Aerospace Operations and Aviation/Aerospace Safety. My indoctination into FT came when I was working within Naval Research and Development as a Project Officer and Test Director, needing to travel to our three prime contractors covering both Coasts and the Heartland. I hold a high security clearance and have a background in aviation; program management; integration, test, and evaluation; security programs; aircraft maintenance; operations; administration; scheduling; instruction; and maritime intradiction and counter-piracy.
I open to career opportunities that will allow me to capitalize on my skill sets and experiences, either in my current home area outside Oklahoma City, or relocating to either Phoenix or Tucson. So if anyone has any leads here on FT, I would appreciate it.