Who is writing at Million Mile Secrets? [merged MMS discussions]
#167
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Posts: 3,041
Before the apologies, came that infamous "survey" whether to accept affiliate links lol.
MMS definitely timed it way better than Ingy, no doubt.
I miss the mother in law rule #notreally
For the record: I have not done a Friday interview at MMS!
MMS definitely timed it way better than Ingy, no doubt.
I miss the mother in law rule #notreally
For the record: I have not done a Friday interview at MMS!
#168
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,623
I get that grammar is not your forte. I didn't realize you are weak in the cliche space too.
I am not seeking to buy MMS. Just curious what the sale price was. I took a peek and it wasn't something worthy of being noted in Bankrate's financials that year other than, presumably, being included under the Acquisitions line item.
I am not seeking to buy MMS. Just curious what the sale price was. I took a peek and it wasn't something worthy of being noted in Bankrate's financials that year other than, presumably, being included under the Acquisitions line item.
#169
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
I get that grammar is not your forte. I didn't realize you are weak in the cliche space too.
I am not seeking to buy MMS. Just curious what the sale price was. I took a peek and it wasn't something worthy of being noted in Bankrate's financials that year other than, presumably, being included under the Acquisitions line item.
I am not seeking to buy MMS. Just curious what the sale price was. I took a peek and it wasn't something worthy of being noted in Bankrate's financials that year other than, presumably, being included under the Acquisitions line item.
But just for giggles I'll put my chips on FTG selling for $8MM, MMS for $20MM, and TPG for $50MM.
#170
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
These numbers make you wonder why the other 'Titans' like OMAAT and VFTW never sold at their peak. That said TPG (for sure) and MMS (perhaps) had a plan to monetize/sell the venture from day 1 of their project.
#171
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
TPG sold when the site was a lot smaller, $15m is the price that is generally discussed in the industry.
$20m would seem fairly low for MMS. The nearest quoted UK comparator to Bankrate is on 20x EBITDA - I'm sure someone can tell me what the Bankrate MBO deal was done at - so you would want that as a purchase price after factoring in a 25% private company discount. That would imply $1.3m of profits. At an average of $200 commission per card that would only imply 18 applications per day (assuming revenue = profit which in blogworld it pretty much does, even with full time staff as I have).
Or, in reverse:
18 cards per day at $200 commission = $3600
365 days per year = $1.3m
Assume revenue = profit for simplicity
Sell for 15 x earnings = $20m
But 18 apps per day feels low ....
$20m would seem fairly low for MMS. The nearest quoted UK comparator to Bankrate is on 20x EBITDA - I'm sure someone can tell me what the Bankrate MBO deal was done at - so you would want that as a purchase price after factoring in a 25% private company discount. That would imply $1.3m of profits. At an average of $200 commission per card that would only imply 18 applications per day (assuming revenue = profit which in blogworld it pretty much does, even with full time staff as I have).
Or, in reverse:
18 cards per day at $200 commission = $3600
365 days per year = $1.3m
Assume revenue = profit for simplicity
Sell for 15 x earnings = $20m
But 18 apps per day feels low ....
#172
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
TPG sold when the site was a lot smaller, $15m is the price that is generally discussed in the industry.
$20m would seem fairly low for MMS. The nearest quoted UK comparator to Bankrate is on 20x EBITDA - I'm sure someone can tell me what the Bankrate MBO deal was done at - so you would want that as a purchase price after factoring in a 25% private company discount. That would imply $1.3m of profits. At an average of $200 commission per card that would only imply 18 applications per day (assuming revenue = profit which in blogworld it pretty much does, even with full time staff as I have).
Or, in reverse:
18 cards per day at $200 commission = $3600
365 days per year = $1.3m
Assume revenue = profit for simplicity
Sell for 15 x earnings = $20m
But 18 apps per day feels low ....
$20m would seem fairly low for MMS. The nearest quoted UK comparator to Bankrate is on 20x EBITDA - I'm sure someone can tell me what the Bankrate MBO deal was done at - so you would want that as a purchase price after factoring in a 25% private company discount. That would imply $1.3m of profits. At an average of $200 commission per card that would only imply 18 applications per day (assuming revenue = profit which in blogworld it pretty much does, even with full time staff as I have).
Or, in reverse:
18 cards per day at $200 commission = $3600
365 days per year = $1.3m
Assume revenue = profit for simplicity
Sell for 15 x earnings = $20m
But 18 apps per day feels low ....
Nobody is paying anything near 15x earnings for a US blog that makes all of its money from a few banks that can flip the switch on their whims. That's wayyyyyyyyyy off.
But yes, 18 cards/day is too low for MMS.
#173
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,623
#174
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,321
TPG sold when the site was a lot smaller, $15m is the price that is generally discussed in the industry.
$20m would seem fairly low for MMS. The nearest quoted UK comparator to Bankrate is on 20x EBITDA - I'm sure someone can tell me what the Bankrate MBO deal was done at - so you would want that as a purchase price after factoring in a 25% private company discount. That would imply $1.3m of profits. At an average of $200 commission per card that would only imply 18 applications per day (assuming revenue = profit which in blogworld it pretty much does, even with full time staff as I have).
Or, in reverse:
18 cards per day at $200 commission = $3600
365 days per year = $1.3m
Assume revenue = profit for simplicity
Sell for 15 x earnings = $20m
But 18 apps per day feels low ....
$20m would seem fairly low for MMS. The nearest quoted UK comparator to Bankrate is on 20x EBITDA - I'm sure someone can tell me what the Bankrate MBO deal was done at - so you would want that as a purchase price after factoring in a 25% private company discount. That would imply $1.3m of profits. At an average of $200 commission per card that would only imply 18 applications per day (assuming revenue = profit which in blogworld it pretty much does, even with full time staff as I have).
Or, in reverse:
18 cards per day at $200 commission = $3600
365 days per year = $1.3m
Assume revenue = profit for simplicity
Sell for 15 x earnings = $20m
But 18 apps per day feels low ....
TPG also "retained a vested ownership interest," at least as of 2014. https://skift.com/2014/12/01/the-blu...ravel-writers/
But if the whole company sold for $1.2 billion last year, it seems unlikely that any one blog was acquired for more than $50m, given how many blogs Bankrate owns, its other sales businesses (including Caring.com, for example), the value added it provides, and the fact that it brings the financial relationships. https://www.housingwire.com/articles...or-124-billion
There's also some useful comparator data here: https://www.doughroller.net/make-mon...llion-or-more/
Last edited by Adam1222; Apr 23, 2018 at 10:36 am
#175
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
To miscalculate is to be human, right?
#176
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
An email arrives at Head for Points HQ (which is in London, remember):
Subject: Can you add this to headforpoints.com?
Hi there,
I noticed that you linked to moneysavingexpert.com’s 19 cheapest ways to get travel money on this page of your website:
https://www.headforpoints.com/2014/0...ally-low-cost/
I thought you may also want to link to Million Mile Secrets' updated best travel credit cards page, to help your readers narrow their travel credit card search based on how they want to be rewarded for traveling.
Since moneysavingexpert.com's, "19 cheapest ways to get travel money", focuses on making sure you save money when traveling, ours gives important travel credit card tips that can save money during travel emergencies like travel delay or dealing with lost luggage.
Here’s the link to our article:
https://millionmilesecrets.com/revie...ds-for-travel/
Would you consider linking to our review page as an additional resource within your article?
Best,
David Lafferty
Million Mile Secrets
1101 Red Ventures Drive Fort Mill, SC 29707
F*ckwit.
Subject: Can you add this to headforpoints.com?
Hi there,
I noticed that you linked to moneysavingexpert.com’s 19 cheapest ways to get travel money on this page of your website:
https://www.headforpoints.com/2014/0...ally-low-cost/
I thought you may also want to link to Million Mile Secrets' updated best travel credit cards page, to help your readers narrow their travel credit card search based on how they want to be rewarded for traveling.
Since moneysavingexpert.com's, "19 cheapest ways to get travel money", focuses on making sure you save money when traveling, ours gives important travel credit card tips that can save money during travel emergencies like travel delay or dealing with lost luggage.
Here’s the link to our article:
https://millionmilesecrets.com/revie...ds-for-travel/
Would you consider linking to our review page as an additional resource within your article?
Best,
David Lafferty
Million Mile Secrets
1101 Red Ventures Drive Fort Mill, SC 29707
F*ckwit.
#177
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
An email arrives at Head for Points HQ (which is in London, remember):
Subject: Can you add this to headforpoints.com?
Hi there,
I noticed that you linked to moneysavingexpert.com’s 19 cheapest ways to get travel money on this page of your website:
https://www.headforpoints.com/2014/0...ally-low-cost/
I thought you may also want to link to Million Mile Secrets' updated best travel credit cards page, to help your readers narrow their travel credit card search based on how they want to be rewarded for traveling.
Since moneysavingexpert.com's, "19 cheapest ways to get travel money", focuses on making sure you save money when traveling, ours gives important travel credit card tips that can save money during travel emergencies like travel delay or dealing with lost luggage.
Here’s the link to our article:
https://millionmilesecrets.com/revie...ds-for-travel/
Would you consider linking to our review page as an additional resource within your article?
Best,
David Lafferty
Million Mile Secrets
1101 Red Ventures Drive Fort Mill, SC 29707
F*ckwit.
Subject: Can you add this to headforpoints.com?
Hi there,
I noticed that you linked to moneysavingexpert.com’s 19 cheapest ways to get travel money on this page of your website:
https://www.headforpoints.com/2014/0...ally-low-cost/
I thought you may also want to link to Million Mile Secrets' updated best travel credit cards page, to help your readers narrow their travel credit card search based on how they want to be rewarded for traveling.
Since moneysavingexpert.com's, "19 cheapest ways to get travel money", focuses on making sure you save money when traveling, ours gives important travel credit card tips that can save money during travel emergencies like travel delay or dealing with lost luggage.
Here’s the link to our article:
https://millionmilesecrets.com/revie...ds-for-travel/
Would you consider linking to our review page as an additional resource within your article?
Best,
David Lafferty
Million Mile Secrets
1101 Red Ventures Drive Fort Mill, SC 29707
F*ckwit.
#178
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,321
An email arrives at Head for Points HQ (which is in London, remember):
Subject: Can you add this to headforpoints.com?
Hi there,
I noticed that you linked to moneysavingexpert.com’s 19 cheapest ways to get travel money on this page of your website:
https://www.headforpoints.com/2014/0...ally-low-cost/
I thought you may also want to link to Million Mile Secrets' updated best travel credit cards page, to help your readers narrow their travel credit card search based on how they want to be rewarded for traveling.
Since moneysavingexpert.com's, "19 cheapest ways to get travel money", focuses on making sure you save money when traveling, ours gives important travel credit card tips that can save money during travel emergencies like travel delay or dealing with lost luggage.
Here’s the link to our article:
https://millionmilesecrets.com/revie...ds-for-travel/
Would you consider linking to our review page as an additional resource within your article?
Best,
David Lafferty
Million Mile Secrets
1101 Red Ventures Drive Fort Mill, SC 29707
F*ckwit.
Subject: Can you add this to headforpoints.com?
Hi there,
I noticed that you linked to moneysavingexpert.com’s 19 cheapest ways to get travel money on this page of your website:
https://www.headforpoints.com/2014/0...ally-low-cost/
I thought you may also want to link to Million Mile Secrets' updated best travel credit cards page, to help your readers narrow their travel credit card search based on how they want to be rewarded for traveling.
Since moneysavingexpert.com's, "19 cheapest ways to get travel money", focuses on making sure you save money when traveling, ours gives important travel credit card tips that can save money during travel emergencies like travel delay or dealing with lost luggage.
Here’s the link to our article:
https://millionmilesecrets.com/revie...ds-for-travel/
Would you consider linking to our review page as an additional resource within your article?
Best,
David Lafferty
Million Mile Secrets
1101 Red Ventures Drive Fort Mill, SC 29707
F*ckwit.
#179
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Researching on the fate of Daraius and Emily I visited MMS after ages today. The site has been wiped clean of any trace that indicates the two ever ran it. Emilys birthing blog entry is gone, the divorce and departure entries of Daraius are gone, as is any reference that either was an author, all their entries are now by MMS. The 'about us' page still sounds like them but its all about 'we the team'. Bankrate and Red Ventures are not mentioned at all... in the fine print a company called 'linkoffers.com' appears, which in turn is a trademark owned by Bankrate. Talk about misleading consumers, or as Red Ventures puts it:
Sometimes we own a brand, connecting consumers with information they need to make better decisions. Sometimes we partner with a brand, helping them better engage customers. Sometimes we build technologies, solving digital challenges that face all of our businesses. In every case, we find and unlock opportunity that’s just not possible anywhere else.
#180
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 368
https://millionmilesecrets.com/guide...ney-continues/
Seems like Daraius is calling it quits. Surprisingly getting a lot of love from the miles and points community on Twitter even though he and MMS have been thrown a lot of shade by the same community over the years.
Personally I haven't followed the blog or even viewed it in years. So it came as a bit of a surprise to see that they mentioned he still wrote for the blog and helped manage it.
Seems like Daraius is calling it quits. Surprisingly getting a lot of love from the miles and points community on Twitter even though he and MMS have been thrown a lot of shade by the same community over the years.
Personally I haven't followed the blog or even viewed it in years. So it came as a bit of a surprise to see that they mentioned he still wrote for the blog and helped manage it.