What is the most useful frequent flyer blog?
Mar 15, 2013, 5:39 pm
#1921
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
So why not start your own blog where we will find NEWST info, passion, dedication and Affliate Links where you will donate 100 % of the proceeds to cahrity voted by the readers ?
Mar 15, 2013, 6:37 pm
#1923
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,623
In 1998 there was Inside Flyer magazine. Randy started FlyerTalk so that his magazine readers could have a place to exchange ideas (at 28800 baud
).It really was his commune: no moderators, no TalkBoard. Just a guy throwing up an IBB to support the readers of his print magazine.
I don't think he ever dreamed he'd be able to sell it one day for ~$6 million.
Exactly.
Mar 15, 2013, 7:37 pm
#1924
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Generally, yes, he made a business out of points and miles. Having been there at the time that FlyerTalk started, I disagree with the notion that this place was created to make money (at least not directly).
In 1998 there was Inside Flyer magazine. Randy started FlyerTalk so that his magazine readers could have a place to exchange ideas (at 28800 baud).
It really was his commune: no moderators, no TalkBoard. Just a guy throwing up an IBB to support the readers of his print magazine.
I don't think he ever dreamed he'd be able to sell it one day for ~$6 million.
Exactly.
In 1998 there was Inside Flyer magazine. Randy started FlyerTalk so that his magazine readers could have a place to exchange ideas (at 28800 baud
).It really was his commune: no moderators, no TalkBoard. Just a guy throwing up an IBB to support the readers of his print magazine.
I don't think he ever dreamed he'd be able to sell it one day for ~$6 million.
Exactly.
Mar 15, 2013, 9:07 pm
#1925
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,997
I agree — there is nothing wrong with that.
The spirit of giving between members of FlyerTalk is very much alive and well today. You can still get great advice for free. All you have to do is ask.
The difference is that the membership of FlyerTalk has experienced exponential growth since those “good old days.” More people are interested in finding out how to earn and redeem miles and points — and thus, more people are capitalizing on that interest by devoting themselves full-time to what they enjoy doing: traveling, writing and dispensing that advice.
However, those people — such as “bloggers” — do need to earn a living. It is one thing to pop onto FlyerTalk for a few minutes to assist a fellow member with no strings attached; but it is another thing to devote to something full time and not expect to be compensated in some manner.
I would suspect that back in the “good old days”, it would have been far more difficult to eke out a career devoted to miles and points — simply because there were far fewer people interested in it. Also, frequent travel loyalty programs have become far more complex — and that is not even including credit cards. People arguably need assistance more than ever.
Let us not confuse the spirit of FlyerTalk with a growing industry which has a potential customer base with a demand being fulfilled by those who choose to devote themselves to supply it full-time — and let us not confuse those who want to earn an honest living “blogging” in the miles and points industry with those who may seem to be deceitful with their editorial content. In both cases, they can be mutually exclusive — and clouding up the differentiation serves little beneficial purpose.
The spirit of giving between members of FlyerTalk is very much alive and well today. You can still get great advice for free. All you have to do is ask.
The difference is that the membership of FlyerTalk has experienced exponential growth since those “good old days.” More people are interested in finding out how to earn and redeem miles and points — and thus, more people are capitalizing on that interest by devoting themselves full-time to what they enjoy doing: traveling, writing and dispensing that advice.
However, those people — such as “bloggers” — do need to earn a living. It is one thing to pop onto FlyerTalk for a few minutes to assist a fellow member with no strings attached; but it is another thing to devote to something full time and not expect to be compensated in some manner.
I would suspect that back in the “good old days”, it would have been far more difficult to eke out a career devoted to miles and points — simply because there were far fewer people interested in it. Also, frequent travel loyalty programs have become far more complex — and that is not even including credit cards. People arguably need assistance more than ever.
Let us not confuse the spirit of FlyerTalk with a growing industry which has a potential customer base with a demand being fulfilled by those who choose to devote themselves to supply it full-time — and let us not confuse those who want to earn an honest living “blogging” in the miles and points industry with those who may seem to be deceitful with their editorial content. In both cases, they can be mutually exclusive — and clouding up the differentiation serves little beneficial purpose.
Mar 15, 2013, 10:27 pm
#1926
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,623
I agree — there is nothing wrong with that.
The spirit of giving between members of FlyerTalk is very much alive and well today. You can still get great advice for free. All you have to do is ask.
The difference is that the membership of FlyerTalk has experienced exponential growth since those “good old days.” More people are interested in finding out how to earn and redeem miles and points — and thus, more people are capitalizing on that interest by devoting themselves full-time to what they enjoy doing: traveling, writing and dispensing that advice.
However, those people — such as “bloggers” — do need to earn a living. It is one thing to pop onto FlyerTalk for a few minutes to assist a fellow member with no strings attached; but it is another thing to devote to something full time and not expect to be compensated in some manner.
I would suspect that back in the “good old days”, it would have been far more difficult to eke out a career devoted to miles and points — simply because there were far fewer people interested in it. Also, frequent travel loyalty programs have become far more complex — and that is not even including credit cards. People arguably need assistance more than ever.
Let us not confuse the spirit of FlyerTalk with a growing industry which has a potential customer base with a demand being fulfilled by those who choose to devote themselves to supply it full-time — and let us not confuse those who want to earn an honest living “blogging” in the miles and points industry with those who may seem to be deceitful with their editorial content. In both cases, they can be mutually exclusive — and clouding up the differentiation serves little beneficial purpose.
The spirit of giving between members of FlyerTalk is very much alive and well today. You can still get great advice for free. All you have to do is ask.
The difference is that the membership of FlyerTalk has experienced exponential growth since those “good old days.” More people are interested in finding out how to earn and redeem miles and points — and thus, more people are capitalizing on that interest by devoting themselves full-time to what they enjoy doing: traveling, writing and dispensing that advice.
However, those people — such as “bloggers” — do need to earn a living. It is one thing to pop onto FlyerTalk for a few minutes to assist a fellow member with no strings attached; but it is another thing to devote to something full time and not expect to be compensated in some manner.
I would suspect that back in the “good old days”, it would have been far more difficult to eke out a career devoted to miles and points — simply because there were far fewer people interested in it. Also, frequent travel loyalty programs have become far more complex — and that is not even including credit cards. People arguably need assistance more than ever.
Let us not confuse the spirit of FlyerTalk with a growing industry which has a potential customer base with a demand being fulfilled by those who choose to devote themselves to supply it full-time — and let us not confuse those who want to earn an honest living “blogging” in the miles and points industry with those who may seem to be deceitful with their editorial content. In both cases, they can be mutually exclusive — and clouding up the differentiation serves little beneficial purpose.
Randy was an innovator. And he'll likely be an outlier in terms of having been able to make a living at it. Some of these blogger folks will make a little dough in the short term. Thanks to Randy's benevolence, Gary, Tommy and Ed may see financial benefit from Milepoint at some point. But note that all three of those guys still have 'day jobs' even as they blog, seminar and MegaDo their hearts out.
At the end of the day there may be a few nuggets of gold to be panned from the points and miles river, but miles and points is a passion and a hobby, not a job, no matter how hard one hucksters.
Mar 15, 2013, 10:57 pm
#1927
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Fairmont Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,041
I just want to let you all know that I could have gone for a bikeride today but decided to go to a movie instead.
Canarsie: Your post was beautiful! I am going to repost in my blog. If you have a problem with it please let me know and will take it down.
Canarsie: Your post was beautiful! I am going to repost in my blog. If you have a problem with it please let me know and will take it down.
Mar 15, 2013, 11:01 pm
#1928
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 657
milepoint has the most detailed info, but I don't read it because it is TOO deatailed... when I want to reserve a flight it is useful.
Mar 15, 2013, 11:11 pm
#1929
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
Really?
Personally I find MilePoint full of fluff and nonsense, full of people pretending their community is "superior" but end up nothing but of content-less drivel...
Personally I find MilePoint full of fluff and nonsense, full of people pretending their community is "superior" but end up nothing but of content-less drivel...
Mar 15, 2013, 11:36 pm
#1930
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,997
Mar 16, 2013, 12:45 am
#1931
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
Programs: AA, BA, UA, Spirit, Delta, PC Plat, SPG Gold, HHonors Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,735
I agree — there is nothing wrong with that.
The spirit of giving between members of FlyerTalk is very much alive and well today. You can still get great advice for free. All you have to do is ask.
The difference is that the membership of FlyerTalk has experienced exponential growth since those “good old days.” More people are interested in finding out how to earn and redeem miles and points — and thus, more people are capitalizing on that interest by devoting themselves full-time to what they enjoy doing: traveling, writing and dispensing that advice.
However, those people — such as “bloggers” — do need to earn a living. It is one thing to pop onto FlyerTalk for a few minutes to assist a fellow member with no strings attached; but it is another thing to devote to something full time and not expect to be compensated in some manner.
I would suspect that back in the “good old days”, it would have been far more difficult to eke out a career devoted to miles and points — simply because there were far fewer people interested in it. Also, frequent travel loyalty programs have become far more complex — and that is not even including credit cards. People arguably need assistance more than ever.
Let us not confuse the spirit of FlyerTalk with a growing industry which has a potential customer base with a demand being fulfilled by those who choose to devote themselves to supply it full-time — and let us not confuse those who want to earn an honest living “blogging” in the miles and points industry with those who may seem to be deceitful with their editorial content. In both cases, they can be mutually exclusive — and clouding up the differentiation serves little beneficial purpose.
The spirit of giving between members of FlyerTalk is very much alive and well today. You can still get great advice for free. All you have to do is ask.
The difference is that the membership of FlyerTalk has experienced exponential growth since those “good old days.” More people are interested in finding out how to earn and redeem miles and points — and thus, more people are capitalizing on that interest by devoting themselves full-time to what they enjoy doing: traveling, writing and dispensing that advice.
However, those people — such as “bloggers” — do need to earn a living. It is one thing to pop onto FlyerTalk for a few minutes to assist a fellow member with no strings attached; but it is another thing to devote to something full time and not expect to be compensated in some manner.
I would suspect that back in the “good old days”, it would have been far more difficult to eke out a career devoted to miles and points — simply because there were far fewer people interested in it. Also, frequent travel loyalty programs have become far more complex — and that is not even including credit cards. People arguably need assistance more than ever.
Let us not confuse the spirit of FlyerTalk with a growing industry which has a potential customer base with a demand being fulfilled by those who choose to devote themselves to supply it full-time — and let us not confuse those who want to earn an honest living “blogging” in the miles and points industry with those who may seem to be deceitful with their editorial content. In both cases, they can be mutually exclusive — and clouding up the differentiation serves little beneficial purpose.
Mar 16, 2013, 5:53 pm
#1933
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
[QUOTE=kokonutz;20428239]I dunno if they do need to earn a living off of points and miles...I suspect most can't and won't.
Randy was an innovator. And he'll likely be an outlier in terms of having been able to make a living at it. Some of these blogger folks will make a little dough in the short term. Thanks to Randy's benevolence, Gary, Tommy and Ed may see financial benefit from Milepoint at some point. But note that all three of those guys still have 'day jobs' even as they blog, seminar and MegaDo their hearts out.
At the end of the day there may be a few nuggets of gold to be panned from the points and miles river, but miles and points is a passion and a hobby, not a job, no matter how hard one hucksters.[/QUOTE
First off : Canarsie what a beautiful and articulate way to "reply" those who decry the "bloggers" who may make a buck for their troubles.
As for miles and points being a hobby and a passion...for you and some others maybe, but why should the rest of us abide by it. We are free to EJECT a blogger from our personal universe. What I see is I don't make $, so you should not either program. If the world worked your way, there will be a war of the worlds between every one who profits from his/her hobby and passion Vs. those who begrudge them.
If you object to the links in articles, neutral or disguised , grow up and count the times you are hit with messages ...
Randy was an innovator. And he'll likely be an outlier in terms of having been able to make a living at it. Some of these blogger folks will make a little dough in the short term. Thanks to Randy's benevolence, Gary, Tommy and Ed may see financial benefit from Milepoint at some point. But note that all three of those guys still have 'day jobs' even as they blog, seminar and MegaDo their hearts out.
At the end of the day there may be a few nuggets of gold to be panned from the points and miles river, but miles and points is a passion and a hobby, not a job, no matter how hard one hucksters.[/QUOTE
First off : Canarsie what a beautiful and articulate way to "reply" those who decry the "bloggers" who may make a buck for their troubles.
As for miles and points being a hobby and a passion...for you and some others maybe, but why should the rest of us abide by it. We are free to EJECT a blogger from our personal universe. What I see is I don't make $, so you should not either program. If the world worked your way, there will be a war of the worlds between every one who profits from his/her hobby and passion Vs. those who begrudge them.
If you object to the links in articles, neutral or disguised , grow up and count the times you are hit with messages ...
Mar 17, 2013, 1:21 am
#1934
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,737
12 referral links in one post and the next announcing that they received a free AA transatlantic business flight, good week to be a blogger.