Cause you're ALL crazy!!!

I have been looking for a place like this where I can 'fit in.'

Often friends and family think I have lost my mind when I talk about the things I do to save money.

How mant time have I heard, "oh that sounds like too much hassle." ?

Countless times..It seems like the majority have zero gumption to utilize their brains to save money or 'beat the system.' so to speak..

Now, I know that here its okay to say that I routinely spend hours if not days researching best deals on the net then:

1)Always portal thru MyPoints to book anything after
2)Making sure I have the correct airline miles card (for whatever airline I end up on) then
3)Pull out the Entertainment book to file for a rebate from Hotwire and
4)Following up with the MyPoints people and then filing for whatever gift card I qualified for and making sure I get my rebate from Hotwire...

Then I find you all and I'm like OMG! I feel like I am home.

At the same time I feel like such a NOOB. I can see that I am a virtual novice compared to many of those here.

I came here weeks ago with a small question and as a result bookmarked you all to return on leisure time. Started reading around 3 days ago with jaw jacked open lol!

So, okay, I am onboard but completely ignorant of so much. I have read and read every link I can find but still find myself feeling afraid to post any questions for fear of looking like someone who hasnt tried on my own yet.

I am going to try to arrange a run out of Ohio sometime in November. I can go anywhere anytime. But I will make a different post on that soon. For now I just wanted to say hello and thanks for this board!!!

Hi, and welcome to FT. You'll probably find that not everyone is focused solely on the cheapest fare and the most points, but rather get the most out of the flying and travel experience -- this means different things to different people.

However, first tip. You said:

"2)Making sure I have the correct airline miles card (for whatever airline I end up on)"

You should be concentrating all your travel on a single carrier. When that carrier won't get you where you want to go, first look for codeshare partners -- flights on a different carrier that are booked through your preferred carrier and are given your preferred carrier's flight number. For example, UA has a lot of codeshare partners, including AC (Air Canada) and US. When I fly on US, I book the UA codeshare number so that I get the full amount of EQMs (equity miles that count towards status). Then, there are partner airlines that will let you earn miles on your preferred carrier. These are airlines in one of the major alliances, e.g. Star Alliance, One World, etc. You'll also get reciprocal club room rights (usually) and other benefits.

At any rate, pick one carrier that best meets your needs and then stay with it. The most important thing is elite status and that's the way to get it.

PTTravel,
thanks for your response! See, told you I was a noob. For example, I incorrectly thought they ALL would allow me to share the miles one to the other.

Seems like I always end up either on AirTran or Delta.

And I agree, but admittedly only after reading up on here, that clearly the status and perks that comes with it is very important. Just, until I ever imagined actually earning a reward, the 'cheapest' was always the most important thing as well as closeness of airport along with length of trip.

It was only after coming here and learning about MRs and seeing how for a relatively low rate, clever planning, and time spent on the MRs that one can earn the miles to fly to Hawaii (for example) that it even ever crossed my mind to do such a thing!

I don't fly for my job and have never stepped foot on a plane that didn't have a vacation reason. But I am very willing to learn and act upon that knowledge. I am at the beginning which is where we all start, but very excited to see that perhaps I could focus on one airline- do some runs-and earn 'free' tickets to Hawaii, which is probably a best stated first goal for me.

I literally have read and read but unfortunately some of the abreviations lost me at times. Also when reading in some of the Primer and 'beginners start here' threads some of the links were dead...

Let me ask you this if I can. I want to focus on Delta. But since I'm so new then at this point it wouldn't hurt to go with a different carrier and would want to pick a good one. Seems like so many on here to UA. They must be good. Anyways, keep in mind I am NEW lol, but love flying, how can I get my feet wet? Dont most miles expire end of year, I only have a few thousand on Delta but fly with them again in 2 weeks. Actually that may extend the miles again.

I do need to book my family to Fla in mid December too.

With the goal I have in mind can you recommend a course of action to get started? I read here holiday runs are good, I could do something any time in November. I don't want to write or ask the wrong question but am dying to pick your brains. Please tell me if I'm in the right forum category or asking the wrong things.

Again, THANKS!!

Welcome to your new addiction (and don't say nobody ever warned you)!

I don't fly Delta very often, so there's not much I can tell you. I'm sure someone will jump in and, if not, you can post in the Delta forum.

I will tell you this: all the legacy carriers stink. Every single one of them. The difference between them is measured in millimeters.

UA, which is my primary carrier, stinks too. It does, however, have on thing that the other legacies don't: Economy Plus seating. This is coach class seating in the front of the cabin that has an extra 5" of legroom. If you have status, you can access it for free. If you don't, you can "buy up" either for $299/year or per flight at whatever rate UA happens to be charging. The extra 5" makes a world of difference, particularly on long-haul transcons and transoceanics. UA service to Florida, by the way, is pretty sparse. Delta and American, I think, offer better service. At any rate, when I have to go to Florida I take American. UA also treats non-status passengers and low status (those who fly less than 100K miles a year) pretty shabbily.

Most legacies' miles expire, I think, after 3 years. I've never had to worry about that as I fly quite often. Any way, I just looked at the clock and I need to get out of the office if I'm going to make the debate.

Try posting in the forums of the airlines you're interested in (I wouldn't recommend AirTran for a variety of reasons, but others may have a different opinion).

Later!

Not any more.

Most of US-based FFPs have miles expired after 18 months. Just make sure to generate at least one eligible activity then no miles will be expired.

Just another welcome....

I may be on the other side of the world.. but like you I travel ONLY for recreation... never for work. From what I've learnt here on FT I adjusted my travel to maximise the benefits.... hit "Gold" on my FF program in the first year of using those tips... and requalified easily this year for 2010...

I am spending more on the travel (natch) ... but the benefits -to me at least- are worth significantly more than the extra costs...

..like having flown 75% of the time in Business class this year instead of Coach! ^ At less than twice the price of the cheapest discount Coach travel. Lounge access..... priority for upgrades clearing etc... got to love it....

Good luck....have fun!

I think it's a little late to tell you to run, because it looks like you're already addicted to this wonderful website. Flyertalk is a good place to learn all about miles, points, and etc.

Most of us don't bite. Even if you think you're asking a silly question... post anyway. Many of us are embarrassed by the type of questions we asked when we first got here.

UA offers a lot of +'s. I fly 50,000 miles with UA. That's called Premier Exec aka 1P. As a 1P, I feel UA has treated me well since 1988.

medicswife2002, Welcome to our little world.

Hey THANK YOU so much for the warm welcomes! I frequent some other forums and so I *know* just how frustrating it can be to hear the same questions all the time, trust me I KNOW that can get so old!

I have taken a break and watched the debate then right back onto the board lol. I need to learn soooo much it isn't even funny.

I agree about traveling for recreation but if I can do just that but tweak some things here and there plus throw in a few runs then my goal will be reached.

I have a cruise coming up in 19 days and am going via Delta out of Columbus. Then the four of us are going to Fla (either Tampa or Orlando) but this isn't booked yet. Plus we have Vegas spring plans in the works. If I add in some seasonal type of run (or runs) then perhaps by next summer we could pack our suits for Hawaii or Tahiti (OMG dream trip). Who knows? I'm very willing to give it a shot, even if that takes me 2 years of running then it would be very much worth it.

Here's a question: can I get miles for booking my kids' trips with me? Probably not. Hubby has his own miles card.

Also is it kosher or not to offer a reg a type of compensation (gift cards) to research something? I only ask not because I actually plan to but I read in the rules about the way to offer and it caused me to wonder if anyone actually ever does anything like that.

Not a flight topic, but OMG the sweetest thing happened to us Friday night. Carnival called us and offered a Penthouse upgrade for only 200/ea more. We were booked in an oceanview - the next level up for us at the time we booked would have been a mini-suite in order to get a balcony (Fascination) and it would have been an additional 550 total to get that.

We decided to stick with the deal we got which was the 279 ea. for the 5 nights oceanview. But to have this happen was an incredible stoke of luck (which I'm not prone to have happen to me for sure!)....the guy told me it was for past guests only on his list and that since he had started calling that I was the 11th person he called and the first one who actually answered their phone!!

I am totally in disbelief that we will have all that room with a two person jacuzzi in the bathroom, big balcony, walk in closet, priority boarding, you name it! So, I am starting to be a believer in 'upgrading' if you know what I mean.

Again, thanks so much for all the 'hellos' and I will check back laters.

Nope, but they can have their own FF accounts and accrue miles on their own.

Sorry, but what's a "reg"?

The regs (regulars) in the Mileage Run Discussion forum http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=627 will be very happy to do research for you. The forum regs over there thrive on those questions. Also, there are stickies on the top of most forums. Those stickies contain valuable information, that's why they're stickies.

I learned more in my first 2 months on Flyertalk than I knew, or thought I knew, flying United for 12 years. As a matter of fact, it was FT that sort of encouraged me to make Premier Exec.

FYI, Chat is a good place to visit in the evening if you have some questions to ask about miles and points. We also talk etc.

Sorry, reg='regular' meaning those with high levels of posting and obviously more knowledge on the points and runs in their pinky than I would ever get in my whole body lol! Slang I suppose, something I'm actually sorta known as over on the Trust/Safety Ebay Boards where we deal daily with fraud victims.

I see many who answer the questions over on the mileage runs discussions and wil slip in a question but not until I have read and researched on my own, I don't want to step on anyone's toes nor appear to be trying to get someone to do my 'homework'...

Thanks for the invite to chat some, I appreciate that. I went blind reading primarily on the Delta forums late last night and realized that this is just *too cool*. Some of the car rental deals they obtained in the last three months blew me away (9,999 points for a one day Budget or Avis rental like costing under 35.00 able to do it 3 times), etc.

I am so far behind but am here now and determined to work on what I need to work on.

I have now registered both boys with their own FF cards, thank you for that tip!

I have read most all the stickies you mentioned, so many of them contain long lists of links within and then as I click to the links then I find they themselves have links within......lol.....and the circle goes on! I figure I'll need to just keep rereading until it sinks in. There really is a HUGE amount to take in in the beginning and I'm trying to play catch up. ALL help is extremely appreciated to each of you!^^

I'll be seeing you all around. Work is dragging me off the computer for now at least..

Welcome to FT!

You can earn miles for buying the families tickets by using an airline affiliated credit card. Depending on how much you spend on the card a year, sometimes there are extra miles you can receive. Look around for the best intro deal, as all the credit cards offer some amount of miles for getting approved with the card and making your first purchase.

Enjoy the experience. Travel is wonderful, but FT can be truly addictive.

Welcome to FT, but keep in mind, Post Count doesn't necessarily coorelate with quality of information provided.

We've had some looooong debates on that subject....

Let her get on her feet airline program-wise, then we can lure her into OMNI and it's politics. @:-)

Welcome medicswife2002!

(BTW: because of your location semi-near CVG & what seems to be regular trips to FL, I suggest Delta, but anytime you fly it's partners; Northwest, Continental, Alaska, etc. to put your miles towards Delta.)