which I doubt you could afford without playing the game?

ps: flew Ryanair twice. walkout of motel 6

You're right, i can't afford it without "playing the game"

All the more reason to give thanks to those United and Chase execs who help make it happen! @:-)

From an attendee's perspective not too much.

As mommypoints said, "both have some speaker overlap, both have multiple sessions to choose from, both have some sponsors, both are priced similarly, both raise money for charities, both have lunch provided."

Chicago Seminars Event is held once/year, usually 2nd weekend in October. 100% volunteer run & any funds left over after expenses go to charity along w/ amounts raised from charity raffle*. No intent (AFAIK) to expand beyond the once/year in ORD suburbs. It's pretty laidback.

FTU is currently 2x/year, run by the folk who own Milepoint & organize SMDo. Feels a bit more corporate, has reps from airlines/hotel programs. Also, organizers have boasted a few times about people scalping the tickets to the FTUs for $200+, which I find a bit distasteful.

Besides the information presented by the speakers, I think THE best part of both Chicago & FTUs are the attendees themselves & the information they share in the hallways, at receptions, over meals, in the bar.

* Full disclosure: I chair the charity raffle for the Chicago Seminar Event.

Cheers.

(bolding mine)

I don't understand how 'secrets' can be shared at FTU when industry execs are there. For example, yesterday MrPickles reported (on his blog, and the discussion thread is now closed) tthe 'secret' about using distressed hotel vouchers. Supposedly, it was disclosed in front of 500+ at FTU.

Do they have TSA-style goons at the doors who tell all the industry execs that this 'secret' session is off-limits? I'd be afraid to even talk about tricks in the hallways..... I mean, I do know (unfortunately) what Smisek looks like, but that's about it!

TBH most of the super secret insider tricks we all (supposedly) treasure don't bother the industry one bit.

Now if the secret trick to make millions in comp would be 'here is this neat little screw driver you should carry with you at all times and destroy each airplane seat with in order to get comp for non working IFE' then I guess you would get into trouble with any travel industry exec listening in.

In a typical TBB fashion I say there is no difference at all and I agree with Mommy Points that one should pick a seminar more convenient!

It's pretty much the same speakers, the same stuff.

I am getting tired of them...I do not like paying $$ to socialize as I do not learn anything new from the speakers. It is all getting a bit corporate for me. What is next? Entourages for speakers? Encores? (lol).

Two markets here: Veterans for socializing/networking (we can do that in free DOs you know) and newbies who "discover" a whole new way of learning how to travel for "free" and tell all their friends and family about how to do it too

Nice to finally read "excess proceeds" donated to charity and not just "proceeds"!!

My 2 cents

Gold members get to be within 20 feet of a blogger and row 3-10 seating, Platinum within 5 feet and row 1-2 access. Any remaining free seats in front will auctioned off for charity minus a processing fee, convenience charges, misc administrative fees, travel expenses etc

I haven't seen anyone mention that Frugal Travel Guy is the pioneer in this space. He was the visionary who rallied folks to put together the first event, all volunteer effort. I attended that first one and was in awe at the professionalism of the organization. It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. There's been lots of flattery.

How about Business class seats where the seats themselves are only slightly better than regular seats but unlimited booze is included during the entire session.

And Economy plus seats that you have to have been to at least 3 seminars to get into for free, or you can buy up to them for a 'nominal fee.'

I have a lot of respect for all the work that goes into these things. And I know lots of folks have enjoyed them. But I do have a feeling that this bubble, like the Megado bubble, may pop soon.

As others have said, why pay money to socialize with FlyerTalkers (and the same ones over and over at that) when you can do it for free at a DO?

That is true and in fact Gary spoke at the first Chicago Seminars. Now that he is helping to organize FTU he doesn't speak at the Chicago Seminars (perhaps along with other reasons).

Must be tough being so smart that you cannot learn anything new.

As for entourages, well, that sortof happens already for some. It is cute to watch.

Most DOs are associated with other bits (dinner, tours, etc.) which cost some money, just like these events. And the crowds are, IME, about the "same" in terms of the people as the repeats at various DOs. The bigger the event, the better the chances of new faces. At least that's what my stats experiences suggest.

Much like the people who claim the blogs never offer any original content or insight, pretending that these events do not offer any value is ludicrous. There is a VERY broad spectrum of attendees. If you get no value from it perhaps that's because you're not the target audience, not because the event sucks.

I have not attended either event; but I would attend the Chicago event before the other one.... the informal nature... and lack of hotel/airline execs means more can be discussed openly.

Sure, but when I go to a DO with a dinner or drinks or a tour or whatever, I am paying for dinner or drinks or a tour or whatever...not for those things PLUS overhead, speaker travel and, of course, the ubiquitous charity donation.

And I understand that some of those costs are offset by sponsors at seminars...but why not find sponsors for straight up DOs and, again, skip paying for the overhead of conference facilities, speaker travel, charity, etc. and just spend the sponsor money on booze and tours, etc....?

I don't think blogs nor seminars offer no value.

Blogs in particular are good at going bananas when there is something going on so no one misses it anymore.

Seminars, I think, are a great way for newbies to get into the game without having to work very hard. And, of course, a great way for bloggers and other points and miles providers to try to grow their brand.

Come on, you know me, I am not that smart! My point was if you follow all the bloggers there may not be anything new you will learn that you CAN apply immediately to your situation. For ME, I did not learn anything new. And it has nothing to do with smartness, it is about...addiction at this stuff

Of course they offer value. If they did not they would not be selling out in the hundreds. But for veterans of this hobby I am not sure I ought to pay $$ to listen to bloggers not offering me anything new. The whole structure and feel and the "entourage" feeling of it all, along with the ever bigger size of the meetings, you know, kind of turn me off a bit...a little. I much prefer the smaller gatherings where secrets stay secrets lol

That's all, nothing more nothing less.

Well, I would take the hotel/airline exec anytime before a Nightline TV Crew filming!!