What is the most useful frequent flyer blog?
Apr 4, 2013, 12:05 pm
#2311
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Everywhere
Programs: Who cares... status is a Red Herring.
Posts: 733
Apr 4, 2013, 12:14 pm
#2312
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 8
Lucky and Hack my Trip are hot. I'll click their links any day.
Apr 4, 2013, 12:18 pm
#2313
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
It's getting discussed in a thread with 2,300 posts (I call those "megathreads"). With a Blog forum, it would be a topic of its own and we could focus on just that one issue versus wading through hundreds of others in a megathread.
Look at it from the viewpoint of a new member just finding this forum. Do you really think a discussion about a new credit card is going to stand out when they see a thread with 2,300 posts? Are they even going to know it's a topic here before they wade through all 2,300 posts? How can FlyerTalk provide the maximum value to that new member?
Look at it from the viewpoint of a new member just finding this forum. Do you really think a discussion about a new credit card is going to stand out when they see a thread with 2,300 posts? Are they even going to know it's a topic here before they wade through all 2,300 posts? How can FlyerTalk provide the maximum value to that new member?
Apr 4, 2013, 12:28 pm
#2314
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat, Copa Pres. Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG LT Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 769
Couldn't agree more. 2% cashback cards are nothing new, but all of a sudden a 2.2% card comes around, and it's all the rage! That, or a fresh round of affiliate links for the new quarter. Hmm...
Apr 4, 2013, 12:34 pm
#2315
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,600
Apr 4, 2013, 12:36 pm
#2316
formerly known as felinaar
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat, AA Gold, AS MVPG, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 612
But there is an amusing story behind the sequence of events:
I shared it first because I got the link first and hadn't seen it on any other blog. Why? Because they work with FlexOffers and I don't, and FlexOffers was apparently slow in pushing it out. A couple bloggers assumed that I had been pimping a public offer without getting paid and actually suggested I use THEIR affiliate links, so yes, this kind of stupid s*** does happen.
Apr 4, 2013, 12:42 pm
#2317
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BUF
Programs: SPG Plt, HHonors Gold, UA Gold, PC Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 880
Apr 4, 2013, 12:51 pm
#2318
formerly known as felinaar
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat, AA Gold, AS MVPG, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 612
I don't think naming names is that important. I do think this thread has value. Everything that people complain about in this thread is true. It happens. It's not always the people you claim are doing it, or for the same reasons, but someone is doing it. I get to see the ugly underbelly even if for certain reasons I can't always talk about it publicly.
I read this thread to keep track of what people find offensive and adjust my approach as necessary. Like Mommy Points' decision to turn down the Club Carlson free nights and The Points Guy's decision to pay his own flight, some of us do try to stay honest. We won't always agree with all of you, but we do think about it.
Some bloggers hate this thread or just ignore it. I think some of the complaints can get overly aggressive. That doesn't mean you should stop complaining. Just try to keep some perspective and, like others have suggested, make it a platform for constructive criticism rather than bashing and name-calling.
I read this thread to keep track of what people find offensive and adjust my approach as necessary. Like Mommy Points' decision to turn down the Club Carlson free nights and The Points Guy's decision to pay his own flight, some of us do try to stay honest. We won't always agree with all of you, but we do think about it.
Some bloggers hate this thread or just ignore it. I think some of the complaints can get overly aggressive. That doesn't mean you should stop complaining. Just try to keep some perspective and, like others have suggested, make it a platform for constructive criticism rather than bashing and name-calling.
Apr 4, 2013, 1:09 pm
#2319
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
I shared it because the bonus increased and it seemed like a good alternative to the Hilton Amex cards for those who like to buy Vanilla Reloads at CVS stores. I won't apologize for that. 2.2% is nothing new. A $400 bonus is new, and it makes it more interesting.
But there is an amusing story behind the sequence of events:
I shared it first because I got the link first and hadn't seen it on any other blog. Why? Because they work with FlexOffers and I don't, and FlexOffers was apparently slow in pushing it out. A couple bloggers assumed that I had been pimping a public offer without getting paid and actually suggested I use THEIR affiliate links, so yes, this kind of stupid s*** does happen.
But there is an amusing story behind the sequence of events:
I shared it first because I got the link first and hadn't seen it on any other blog. Why? Because they work with FlexOffers and I don't, and FlexOffers was apparently slow in pushing it out. A couple bloggers assumed that I had been pimping a public offer without getting paid and actually suggested I use THEIR affiliate links, so yes, this kind of stupid s*** does happen.
It's like the posts on SPG Double Take. I'm doing a double take.
I don't think naming names is that important. I do think this thread has value. Everything that people complain about in this thread is true. It happens. It's not always the people you claim are doing it, or for the same reasons, but someone is doing it. I get to see the ugly underbelly even if for certain reasons I can't always talk about it publicly.
I read this thread to keep track of what people find offensive and adjust my approach as necessary. Like Mommy Points' decision to turn down the Club Carlson free nights and The Points Guy's decision to pay his own flight, some of us do try to stay honest. We won't always agree with all of you, but we do think about it.
Some bloggers hate this thread or just ignore it. I think some of the complaints can get overly aggressive. That doesn't mean you should stop complaining. Just try to keep some perspective and, like others have suggested, make it a platform for constructive criticism rather than bashing and name-calling.
I read this thread to keep track of what people find offensive and adjust my approach as necessary. Like Mommy Points' decision to turn down the Club Carlson free nights and The Points Guy's decision to pay his own flight, some of us do try to stay honest. We won't always agree with all of you, but we do think about it.
Some bloggers hate this thread or just ignore it. I think some of the complaints can get overly aggressive. That doesn't mean you should stop complaining. Just try to keep some perspective and, like others have suggested, make it a platform for constructive criticism rather than bashing and name-calling.
Apr 4, 2013, 1:11 pm
#2320
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Everywhere
Programs: Who cares... status is a Red Herring.
Posts: 733
Apr 4, 2013, 1:17 pm
#2322
formerly known as felinaar
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat, AA Gold, AS MVPG, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 612
It doesn't bother me as long as it's disclosed. It bothers some bloggers. My suggestion is that the bloggers are paying attention, and some are making an effort to stay honest. This is one way of doing that, and others will find other ways.
Apr 4, 2013, 1:23 pm
#2323
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 754
Is it just me or is $440 a good tradeoff for a TransUnion inquiry? It's from Barclays, a gimme/add-on for most people who churn cards regularly. CapitalOne's 110k match was popular, and it was $1100 cash back for 3 inquiries (one each bureau).
The minimum spend is only $1000, of which $400 can be reimbursed before the statement even closes.
And the public offers is exactly the same as the affiliate.
Apr 4, 2013, 1:28 pm
#2324
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BUF
Programs: SPG Plt, HHonors Gold, UA Gold, PC Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 880
I don't understand the hatred for this offer. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the other 2% cards have no sign-up bonus, or maybe $50? This one is $440 back on any travel purchase, which pretty much everyone in this forum spends.
Is it just me or is $440 a good tradeoff for a TransUnion inquiry? It's from Barclays, a gimme/add-on for most people who churn cards regularly. CapitalOne's 110k match was popular, and it was $1100 cash back for 3 inquiries (one each bureau).
The minimum spend is only $1000, of which $400 can be reimbursed before the statement even closes.
And the public offers is exactly the same as the affiliate.
Is it just me or is $440 a good tradeoff for a TransUnion inquiry? It's from Barclays, a gimme/add-on for most people who churn cards regularly. CapitalOne's 110k match was popular, and it was $1100 cash back for 3 inquiries (one each bureau).
The minimum spend is only $1000, of which $400 can be reimbursed before the statement even closes.
And the public offers is exactly the same as the affiliate.
regarding the AA business class seat - if you fancy yourself a reviewer of premium cabins, and you make that one of the main missions of your blog, you should do your best to review them objectively (without massive comps and conflicts of interest), if that is truly your goal. especially when you likely have millions of AA miles.
also kudos scott, i've subscribed to your blog from day one. always found it to be extremely interesting and informative, and i appreciate your candor
Apr 4, 2013, 1:49 pm
#2325
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 754
Now I only follow a few bloggers, and I didn't really pay close attention to their Arrival posts, but most reviews were not incredibly enthusiastic. Most whined that it wasn't any good for First Class redemptions. I checked TPG just now and he didn't even use the word "Amazing"in his entire review.