What is the most useful frequent flyer blog?
Aug 24, 2012, 2:57 pm
#1051
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: IAD
Programs: Chase Million Miler, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,729
A perfect example of what is wrong, 2 minutes of googling found this:
http://thepointsguy.com/2012/03/my-b...ines-for-2-50/
Stressing the $5,000 flight for 60,000 points and $2.50 makes you feel you can actually take this trip with just a signup bonus or two. It includes two links to Chase signups. It doesn't discuss how you would take anyone with you, or even how you get home.
There is an underlying subtle danger in telling people the longest flight in the world is availble for $2.50 and one or two signup bonuses--they then will expect the shortest flights in the world to be just as attainable. Signing up for cards first, before you know the ropes, before you know if you can go where and when you're planning is a dangerous game.
Award travel means sacrificing something:
1) Travel dates
2) Travel Destination
3) Number of Stops
4) Class of service
It is very, very difficult to get all 4 of those without paying for the highest level awards (which are not even open to partners).
The lack of transparency is what irks me--posts like this one can be misleading to newbies.
http://thepointsguy.com/2012/03/my-b...ines-for-2-50/
Stressing the $5,000 flight for 60,000 points and $2.50 makes you feel you can actually take this trip with just a signup bonus or two. It includes two links to Chase signups. It doesn't discuss how you would take anyone with you, or even how you get home.
There is an underlying subtle danger in telling people the longest flight in the world is availble for $2.50 and one or two signup bonuses--they then will expect the shortest flights in the world to be just as attainable. Signing up for cards first, before you know the ropes, before you know if you can go where and when you're planning is a dangerous game.
Award travel means sacrificing something:
1) Travel dates
2) Travel Destination
3) Number of Stops
4) Class of service
It is very, very difficult to get all 4 of those without paying for the highest level awards (which are not even open to partners).
The lack of transparency is what irks me--posts like this one can be misleading to newbies.
One of my coworkers wants to go to LHR in January. I told her I could try and help with the miles thing, but you're taking a gamble. Be prepared to pay cash if the seats aren't available and you're not flexible.
Aug 24, 2012, 2:57 pm
#1052
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,310
My success rate at finding the flight I want to take at the mileage redemption all these bloggers promote is somewhere around 5%, if that
Oct 1, 2012, 6:43 am
#1054
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
Oct 4, 2012, 9:59 pm
#1055
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Posts: 1,887
Apparently Delta Points is telling folks to steer clear of the 70K AMEX opportunity for ethical reasons, lol. Reminds me of this nugget:
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/deltap...-points-today/
I really do need to start reading that blog again, just for the entertainment value.
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/deltap...-points-today/
I really do need to start reading that blog again, just for the entertainment value.
Oct 4, 2012, 10:22 pm
#1056
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 3,682
Apparently Delta Points is telling folks to steer clear of the 70K AMEX opportunity for ethical reasons, lol. Reminds me of this nugget:
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/deltap...-points-today/
I really do need to start reading that blog again, just for the entertainment value.
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/deltap...-points-today/
I really do need to start reading that blog again, just for the entertainment value.
Oct 4, 2012, 11:13 pm
#1057
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Posts: 1,887
In the comments (at least the ones that haven't been censored) it seemed like he was on some sort of high horse, but yeah, it seems like the only reason he won't do it (even though he considers it to be "fraud") is because of the risk of repercussion.
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/deltap...ex-card-again/
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/deltap...ex-card-again/
IMO if you are telling a reader to change code, ie not just click on a public “wild” link, so they are committing fraud. That is IMO and I will not tell reader to do that. You do what you want.
Last edited by saacman5033; Oct 5, 2012 at 1:18 pm Reason: Edited out personal reference/attack
Oct 5, 2012, 8:33 am
#1058
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Traveling some where hopefully
Programs: AS, AA Gold, and Hilton
Posts: 1,954
I don't read that blog but if you're referring to the Oct 4 post, it read to me that the blogger was concerned about applicants being dogged by Amex and perhaps being subjected to a Financial Review. I did not read the post as advising readers to not apply for ethical reasons.
Oct 5, 2012, 12:21 pm
#1059
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,099
but I think most people would feel hurt by comments about their personal photo (and I'm fairly certain bloggers are human).
This does makes me laugh because back in the day, when a supervisor would go on a rant about an employee ("and..and..and...and") I often would wait until s/he paused for a breath and then very seriously ask "and does his mother dress him funny too?"
This does makes me laugh because back in the day, when a supervisor would go on a rant about an employee ("and..and..and...and") I often would wait until s/he paused for a breath and then very seriously ask "and does his mother dress him funny too?"
Mile-a-holic... I'm going to use that quote... great comic relief!
Oct 5, 2012, 3:53 pm
#1060
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Posts: 1,887
In the same blog post Delta Points complains about his AMEX affiliate links not working. He has encouraged his readers to churn the sub par 30K DL Gold personal and biz offers. About 6 months ago my comments were removed on his blog when I debated the merits of using 2 credit inquiries for 2 x 30K skypesos and also pointing out that they would be better off waiting for a better offer than 30K. He even lists the 30K DL Gold offer at the top of his "best points cards" page as well.
Last edited by saacman5033; Oct 7, 2012 at 3:57 pm Reason: Deleted discussion of moderator actions which violates FT guidelines.
Oct 5, 2012, 4:59 pm
#1061
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
In the same blog post Delta Points complains about his AMEX affiliate links not working. He has encouraged his readers to churn the sub par 30K DL Gold personal and biz offers. About 6 months ago my comments were removed on his blog when I debated the merits of using 2 credit inquiries for 2 x 30K skypesos and also pointing out that they would be better off waiting for a better offer than 30K. He even lists the 30K DL Gold offer at the top of his "best points cards" page as well.
I am amazed anyone can recommend a Delta 30k card sign up card with a straight face
Last edited by saacman5033; Oct 7, 2012 at 3:58 pm Reason: Removed deleted content from quoted section
Oct 5, 2012, 7:52 pm
#1062
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
) is one weird cookie, and can not serve as a precursor of better things to come. So one could wait, of course, but the fact is 30,000 mile bonus is not so bad for Delta Amex.
Oct 5, 2012, 10:46 pm
#1063
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Posts: 1,887
Last December there were public DL AMEX Gold offers in the 40K+ range. I think I was targeted for something closer to 50K but didn't bite, and I'm not planning to bite on 70K as I would rather save the inquiry for a 50K or 75K MR offer. With AP, a 10K spend is no biggie, particularly if you get creative adding family as AUs. :mum: Even if 30K was as good as it ever got, it doesn't change the fact that a sub par signup offer is still a sub par signup offer. If you value the card benefits that might change the equation, but I just don't see how the DL AMEX Gold at 30K makes anyone's top 10 list, fanboy or not.
Oct 6, 2012, 2:28 am
#1064
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,359
THE SKY IS FALLING!!!! THE SKY IS FALLING!!!!!
Oh no, wait. It just turns out that the Chase Hyatt Visa is upping their requirement for 2 Free Nights upon signup from a single purchase to a $1k purchase (within 3 months I assume). If you check BoardingArea right now though you'd think the sky was falling and the world is ending in a few days as no fewer than 4 different blogs on the front page of BA have big headline grabbing titles that the world is about to end and you need to apply for the Hyatt CC NOW.
What an absolute pathetic moneygrab by these bloggers. They really have no shame whatsoever.
Oh wait, they are doing it for the benefit of their readers. ^
Oh no, wait. It just turns out that the Chase Hyatt Visa is upping their requirement for 2 Free Nights upon signup from a single purchase to a $1k purchase (within 3 months I assume). If you check BoardingArea right now though you'd think the sky was falling and the world is ending in a few days as no fewer than 4 different blogs on the front page of BA have big headline grabbing titles that the world is about to end and you need to apply for the Hyatt CC NOW.
What an absolute pathetic moneygrab by these bloggers. They really have no shame whatsoever.
Oh wait, they are doing it for the benefit of their readers.
^
Oct 6, 2012, 3:34 am
#1065
Join Date: May 2007
Location: DEN
Programs: DL PM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,816
THE SKY IS FALLING!!!! THE SKY IS FALLING!!!!!
Oh no, wait. It just turns out that the Chase Hyatt Visa is upping their requirement for 2 Free Nights upon signup from a single purchase to a $1k purchase (within 3 months I assume). If you check BoardingArea right now though you'd think the sky was falling and the world is ending in a few days as no fewer than 4 different blogs on the front page of BA have big headline grabbing titles that the world is about to end and you need to apply for the Hyatt CC NOW.
What an absolute pathetic moneygrab by these bloggers. They really have no shame whatsoever.
Oh wait, they are doing it for the benefit of their readers. ^
Oh no, wait. It just turns out that the Chase Hyatt Visa is upping their requirement for 2 Free Nights upon signup from a single purchase to a $1k purchase (within 3 months I assume). If you check BoardingArea right now though you'd think the sky was falling and the world is ending in a few days as no fewer than 4 different blogs on the front page of BA have big headline grabbing titles that the world is about to end and you need to apply for the Hyatt CC NOW.
What an absolute pathetic moneygrab by these bloggers. They really have no shame whatsoever.
Oh wait, they are doing it for the benefit of their readers.
^