What is the most useful frequent flyer blog?
May 3, 2012, 9:44 pm
#691
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Posts: 1,887
Not sure what qualifies someone as a "featured" blogger on BoardingArea but clearly something is wrong with their criteria when Frequent Miler is *still* not "featured". WT?!?!?!? Why do they not allow his posts to bubble to the top with the 16 "featured" bloggers (10 of which I would say are dribble). Heck, to be fair to all their bloggers, BoradingArea should scrap the "featured" rule all together and just make every blog post bubble to the top.
May 4, 2012, 9:20 am
#692
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,080
a lot of people hate the bloggers b/c it is their fault that a lot of mileage programs get devalued (like avios). these bloggers get paid fat commissions by credit card companies to signup new customers so they push offers in every post.
people who pump and dump credit card offers create frequent-flyer-mile "inflation" which destroys the sustainability of mileage programs for those who actually earn miles by flying with their butt in the seat.
people who pump and dump credit card offers create frequent-flyer-mile "inflation" which destroys the sustainability of mileage programs for those who actually earn miles by flying with their butt in the seat.
As for the pump and dump types (on Flyertalk, Dans Deals, Fat Wallet etc), this has been going on for years.
May 4, 2012, 10:15 am
#693
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: many
Posts: 1,437
Not sure what qualifies someone as a "featured" blogger on BoardingArea but clearly something is wrong with their criteria when Frequent Miler is *still* not "featured". WT?!?!?!? Why do they not allow his posts to bubble to the top with the 16 "featured" bloggers (10 of which I would say are dribble). Heck, to be fair to all their bloggers, BoradingArea should scrap the "featured" rule all together and just make every blog post bubble to the top.
FM has been above the grade in my opinion.
May 4, 2012, 10:27 am
#694
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 994
these bloggers remind me of the book 'the game' by neil strauss but in the form of picking up miles, making it public, coming up with new tricks, etc.
May 4, 2012, 10:28 am
#695
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,044
FrequentMiler is definitely the darling of the moment. And for good reason. Let's hope he keeps his focus.
I liked TPG a lot when he hit the scene. Then he degenerated - especially once he quick his day job. I think the temptation to post outweighed the quality of the information.
I liked MMSecrets a lot when he debuted. But now that he's got the profiles of other bloggers and lots of plugs for ccs ("Emily and I are SO appreciative . . .") I've lost interest.
My overview is, these guys have great ideas, and they're eager. But once they get a taste of those cc referral dollars, the blog devolves.
FrequentMiler - stay strong! I, for one, will do my best to direct applications through your site, as long as you continue to post only quality info.
I liked TPG a lot when he hit the scene. Then he degenerated - especially once he quick his day job. I think the temptation to post outweighed the quality of the information.
I liked MMSecrets a lot when he debuted. But now that he's got the profiles of other bloggers and lots of plugs for ccs ("Emily and I are SO appreciative . . .") I've lost interest.
My overview is, these guys have great ideas, and they're eager. But once they get a taste of those cc referral dollars, the blog devolves.
FrequentMiler - stay strong! I, for one, will do my best to direct applications through your site, as long as you continue to post only quality info.
May 4, 2012, 10:46 am
#696
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 994
Frequent Miler should go solo with is own blogsite.
May 4, 2012, 10:47 am
#697
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,044
May 4, 2012, 11:25 am
#699
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Posts: 1,887
My understanding is the bloggers do get paid by BoardingArea but the "featured" bloggers get more of the ad revenue in addition to top billing with the exclusive bubble up. That doesn't seem right when you have at most a half dozen of these so called "featured" bloggers pulling their weight. The rest of the "featured" bloggers are upstaged regularly by many of the "non-featured" bloggers, in particular FM posting unique content and picking up the slack. For lesser known blogs the BoardingArea exposure is probably invaluable, but no doubt, a select few like FM could easily go on their own.
May 4, 2012, 11:41 am
#700
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,044
My understanding is the bloggers do get paid by BoardingArea but the "featured" bloggers get more of the ad revenue in addition to top billing with the exclusive bubble up. That doesn't seem right when you have at most a half dozen of these so called "featured" bloggers pulling their weight. The rest of the "featured" bloggers are upstaged regularly by many of the "non-featured" bloggers, in particular FM posting unique content and picking up the slack. For lesser known blogs the BoardingArea exposure is probably invaluable, but no doubt, a select few like FM could easily go on their own.
I was pretty surprised when Mommy Points joined - I thought she had a pretty nice following on her own. But I didn't realize there was a financial incentive to do so at the time.
May 4, 2012, 11:58 am
#701
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Posts: 1,887
I'm not sure how much of an incentive though as far as sharing ad revenue. I'd think the reasons to join are (1) exposure and (2) automatic approval to offer affiliate links (which isn't as easy to get if rolling your own). I suspect most of a blogger's revenue comes from referral income so (1) and (2) would seem to be a no brainer, but even if you already have (2), more of (1) will still help unless BoardingArea takes a cut of every referral.
May 4, 2012, 12:10 pm
#702
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Near ORD
Programs: AA LT Gold, Hyatt Diamond, HH Gold, SPG Gold, PC Plat Ambassador
Posts: 739
Not sure what qualifies someone as a "featured" blogger on BoardingArea but clearly something is wrong with their criteria when Frequent Miler is *still* not "featured". WT?!?!?!? Why do they not allow his posts to bubble to the top with the 16 "featured" bloggers (10 of which I would say are dribble). Heck, to be fair to all their bloggers, BoradingArea should scrap the "featured" rule all together and just make every blog post bubble to the top.
May 4, 2012, 1:00 pm
#703
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,997
May 4, 2012, 5:54 pm
#704
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA, UA, SQ, VA, QF, AF, BA
Posts: 2,865
I would have agreed with this post until today. Today's blog post was classic spoonfeeding of the very best way to take advantage of today's Discover America package:
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/dealsw...hwest-flights/
At least we can take solice in the fact that the blogger was shut out of purchasing any packages himself. Serves him right!!!!!!!
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/dealsw...hwest-flights/
At least we can take solice in the fact that the blogger was shut out of purchasing any packages himself. Serves him right!!!!!!!
Her writing style has changed, what a shame! I suspect there is a private forum for all the Boarding Area bloggers and this one has been getting coaching from the "mommy" who IMO is the most obsequious writer and worst one for blabbing about the "creative" ways we use miles and points.
May 4, 2012, 6:01 pm
#705
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA, UA, SQ, VA, QF, AF, BA
Posts: 2,865
Not sure what qualifies someone as a "featured" blogger on BoardingArea but clearly something is wrong with their criteria when Frequent Miler is *still* not "featured". WT?!?!?!? Why do they not allow his posts to bubble to the top with the 16 "featured" bloggers (10 of which I would say are dribble). Heck, to be fair to all their bloggers, BoradingArea should scrap the "featured" rule all together and just make every blog post bubble to the top.