What is the most useful frequent flyer blog?
#2101
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,870
This passage from the FTC Q&A on endorsements may be somewhat helpful:
For a review in a newspaper, on TV, or on a website with similar content, it’s usually clear to the audience that the reviewer didn’t buy the product being reviewed. It’s the reviewer’s job to write his or her opinion and no one thinks they bought the product – for example, a book or movie ticket – themselves. But on a personal blog, a social networking page, or in similar media, the reader may not expect the reviewer to have a relationship with the company whose products are mentioned. Disclosure of that relationship helps readers decide how much weight to give the review.
#2102
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 754
I'd say give her a break until she actually reviews the place. Compared to all the other big bloggers, I'd say Mommy Points is one of the most honest and upfront about disclosures. In fact my biggest complaint would be that the style of travel shown in the site is not even remotely close to "free" as the title suggests, with paid suite upgrades, spa visits, kids camps, resort activities, mileage/mattress runs. Those "free" breakfasts and "free" upgrades are the rewards for thousands of dollars of spend. It would be better advertised as "luxuries for less".
#2103
Formerly known as iahsumr
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 520
I'd say give her a break until she actually reviews the place. Compared to all the other big bloggers, I'd say Mommy Points is one of the most honest and upfront about disclosures. In fact my biggest complaint would be that the style of travel shown in the site is not even remotely close to "free" as the title suggests, with paid suite upgrades, spa visits, kids camps, resort activities, mileage/mattress runs. Those "free" breakfasts and "free" upgrades are the rewards for thousands of dollars of spend. It would be better advertised as "luxuries for less".
I also think there is validity in the second part of your comment. I do the "free" travel thing a chunk of the time, but I also am a sucker for "luxuries for less" in my own travels, well and in life in general I guess. Though I'm from East Texas, so I call it "fancy on the cheap".
#2104
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
Originally Posted by tjbrooks:20470441
I'd say give her a break until she actually reviews the place. Compared to all the other big bloggers, I'd say Mommy Points is one of the most honest and upfront about disclosures. In fact my biggest complaint would be that the style of travel shown in the site is not even remotely close to "free" as the title suggests, with paid suite upgrades, spa visits, kids camps, resort activities, mileage/mattress runs. Those "free" breakfasts and "free" upgrades are the rewards for thousands of dollars of spend. It would be better advertised as "luxuries for less".
Just going a little off topic again, but nothing is ever free unless any of the bloggers have found a method to make air tickets and hotel reservations magically spawn within one's mailbox. The concept of opportunity cost is constantly ignored by most of the blogosphere and anyone who is naive enough to actually believe in free travel probably isn't doing themselves a favour by getting into the points/miles game to begin with.
#2105
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA EXP(.96MM), AMEX Platinum, United Premier Silver, Delta Gold, SPG Platinum 50, Hilton Gold VIP
Posts: 1,744
Just going a little off topic again, but nothing is ever free unless any of the bloggers have found a method to make air tickets and hotel reservations magically spawn within one's mailbox. The concept of opportunity cost is constantly ignored by most of the blogosphere and anyone who is naive enough to actually believe in free travel probably isn't doing themselves a favour by getting into the points/miles game to begin with.
The free hotels part comes from those 2 free hyatt nights
then again, food, incidentals from hotels, shows, entertainment, transportation is not free...
there is no such thing as free really...
#2106
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA EXP(.96MM), AMEX Platinum, United Premier Silver, Delta Gold, SPG Platinum 50, Hilton Gold VIP
Posts: 1,744
what do you guys think about the bloggers who fly First/Biz and stay in cheap hostels?
redeeming 100k+ for first/biz and then hosteling for the rest of your stay
redeeming 100k+ for first/biz and then hosteling for the rest of your stay
#2107
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
#2109
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Southern California
Programs: Hertz 5 star, Priceline Hotel bidder. AA PLT, 1MM.
Posts: 2,910
I used to do stay in hostels alot before I got married in 2006. Most of the time, I would buy a coach ticket and upgrade to biz. (also burned 80/100K miles on occasion for biz). For me, paying the least amount of $ yet the hostel is in a nice area of town was important.
My wife dislikes hostels & "crash pads" so we stay in 2.5*-4* depending on the property. When I travel alone, I will still stay in hostels after a biz class airline trip.
#2110
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Southern California
Programs: Hertz 5 star, Priceline Hotel bidder. AA PLT, 1MM.
Posts: 2,910
#2111
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 359
I'd say give her a break until she actually reviews the place. Compared to all the other big bloggers, I'd say Mommy Points is one of the most honest and upfront about disclosures. In fact my biggest complaint would be that the style of travel shown in the site is not even remotely close to "free" as the title suggests, with paid suite upgrades, spa visits, kids camps, resort activities, mileage/mattress runs. Those "free" breakfasts and "free" upgrades are the rewards for thousands of dollars of spend. It would be better advertised as "luxuries for less".
It is easy to give disclosures where obvious - like a company saying "I follow Sarbanes Oxley." I judge by actions, not words. I like TPG because his newbie guide gives a balanced view.
#2112
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
Originally Posted by jammanxc:20470573
what do you guys think about the bloggers who fly First/Biz and stay in cheap hostels?
redeeming 100k+ for first/biz and then hosteling for the rest of your stay
redeeming 100k+ for first/biz and then hosteling for the rest of your stay
#2113
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Fairmont Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,041
Absolutely. There is a blog with the title "Travel is Free"...no it's not!
Whaaaat?
#2114
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 359
Whaaaat? [/QUOTE]
Speaking comparatively. The newbie guide explains the issues of redeeming, versus "there are other sites that tell you how to redeem the miles that you earn through my site. So good luck with that."
Speaking comparatively. The newbie guide explains the issues of redeeming, versus "there are other sites that tell you how to redeem the miles that you earn through my site. So good luck with that."
#2115
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,585
I'd say give her a break until she actually reviews the place. Compared to all the other big bloggers, I'd say Mommy Points is one of the most honest and upfront about disclosures. In fact my biggest complaint would be that the style of travel shown in the site is not even remotely close to "free" as the title suggests, with paid suite upgrades, spa visits, kids camps, resort activities, mileage/mattress runs. Those "free" breakfasts and "free" upgrades are the rewards for thousands of dollars of spend. It would be better advertised as "luxuries for less".
I am constantly amazed and impressed (not to mention a little jealous of) the schwag that the Tommys and Garys and bloggers have bestowed upon them by the travel industry. Free travel and free status sure do beat the hell out of a few measly points or miles! ^