One Mile at a Time [OMaaT] discussions [merged]
#151
Join Date: May 2008
Location: BOS/SIN
Programs: SQ
Posts: 2,704
- Re: the hypocrisy behind the United mistake ticketing ("cant believe the guy who was abusing e-certs would talk about not taking advantage of a mistake fare... very contradictory to what he has been doing all along") -- isn't it obvious he wasn't PRO-United mistake fare because he was literally the last blogger in the universe to bring it up? OR, because he was so ego-centric in thinking all about the W and his mom and the purse fiasco, he didn't want to take the limelight away from himself?
- Agree with most all of the above comments about Ben's lack of travel prowess
- Agree with most all of the above comments about Ben's lack of travel prowess
He doesn't want his readers to know the truth about his e-cert abuse and his being banned from UA. Why he even mentioned the fare is beyond me. It must've been from readers wondering which destinations he booked.
#152
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,626
in the video he took of his mother lucky says he is 'trying very hard not to be angry with my mother.'
Whose naïveté caused the mess.
So he's transferring that anger (and perhaps also his guilt) to the hotel instead.
Because they did not 'fix' the mess his mother created.
That's a pretty natural reaction.
But also pretty immature.
#bettercallfreud
Whose naïveté caused the mess.
So he's transferring that anger (and perhaps also his guilt) to the hotel instead.
Because they did not 'fix' the mess his mother created.
That's a pretty natural reaction.
But also pretty immature.
#bettercallfreud
#153
All arguments about mistake fares have been given ad nauseam in plenty of threads, no real reason to single out one blogger on this. Yeah, he is a hypocrite and he cheated before.. We probably all are at some point in time.
Let the DOT decide first, then we'll see.
No love lost for Lucky from me (I don't know the guy) but the barrage first in the DKK thread and now starting here is not very productive.
I find VFTW a bit more of a hypocrit, scrambling to post about the error fare and now saying it shouldn't be honored. But they are all bloggers in it for the money, and clicks is a way to get that....
Last edited by RTW1; Feb 13, 2015 at 1:24 pm
#154
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Posts: 67
I think because he is such an influential blogger and has published his story, SPG is treating him with kid gloves. The W Barcelona and SPG owe him nothing in terms of compensation, but he'll get probably get at least 25k points (Cat 6 free night) for his trouble.
There's something that doesn't add up about this story, and I doubt we'll ever know what it is.
I have no idea why he made that video.
#155
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
That's really not the stuff you post in public. Some family stuff needs to stay within the family and not be used for marketing. I never would have put a video of my mother (God rest her soul) up on my website after a criminal matter. I couldn't bring myself to even look at his as I don't think it should be there to begin with.
#156
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,433
That's really not the stuff you post in public. Some family stuff needs to stay within the family and not be used for marketing. I never would have put a video of my mother (God rest her soul) up on my website after a criminal matter. I couldn't bring myself to even look at his as I don't think it should be there to begin with.
#157
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
So if you take OMAAT's story at face value, then his mother broke every travel safety rule in the book. Is it the theft the hotel's responsibility when a guest cannot follow Travel Safety 101? It's not like the room was broken into by force.
I think because he is such an influential blogger and has published his story, SPG is treating him with kid gloves. The W Barcelona and SPG owe him nothing in terms of compensation, but he'll get probably get at least 25k points (Cat 6 free night) for his trouble.
There's something that doesn't add up about this story, and I doubt we'll ever know what it is.
I have no idea why he made that video.
I think because he is such an influential blogger and has published his story, SPG is treating him with kid gloves. The W Barcelona and SPG owe him nothing in terms of compensation, but he'll get probably get at least 25k points (Cat 6 free night) for his trouble.
There's something that doesn't add up about this story, and I doubt we'll ever know what it is.
I have no idea why he made that video.
As I read the story I had the same thoughts that his mom failed to follow the most basic travel safety concepts. If she is that naïve about such matters, he ought to better educate her before she travels again, for her own sake.
That's really not the stuff you post in public. Some family stuff needs to stay within the family and not be used for marketing. I never would have put a video of my mother (God rest her soul) up on my website after a criminal matter. I couldn't bring myself to even look at his as I don't think it should be there to begin with.
#158
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
A quick break from the W discussion...bear with me.
Am I the only one who cringes every time Ben tries to write about "business strategy" or "business model" or so and so is "great at business"....
His writings on La Compagnie, whether accurate or not, drives me up the wall. He has no business experience whatsoever, doesn't know jack about mergers and acquisitions, and doesn't even begin to realize that his analysis isn't analysis at all.
I'm sorry, but flying 24/7 doesn't have you an "airline expert" in anything except product vs. product comparisons of different airlines.
Had the same issue with how he was writing about the CEO of Aer Lingus, as if somehow they were on the same level....
Some title too: "The Most Ridiculous Airline Aspiration Of The Century…"
I can think of two dozen more ridiculous things than what it appears La Compagnie is doing.....
Am I the only one who cringes every time Ben tries to write about "business strategy" or "business model" or so and so is "great at business"....
His writings on La Compagnie, whether accurate or not, drives me up the wall. He has no business experience whatsoever, doesn't know jack about mergers and acquisitions, and doesn't even begin to realize that his analysis isn't analysis at all.
I'm sorry, but flying 24/7 doesn't have you an "airline expert" in anything except product vs. product comparisons of different airlines.
Had the same issue with how he was writing about the CEO of Aer Lingus, as if somehow they were on the same level....
Some title too: "The Most Ridiculous Airline Aspiration Of The Century…"
I can think of two dozen more ridiculous things than what it appears La Compagnie is doing.....
#159
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
A quick break from the W discussion...bear with me.
Am I the only one who cringes every time Ben tries to write about "business strategy" or "business model" or so and so is "great at business"....
His writings on La Compagnie, whether accurate or not, drives me up the wall. He has no business experience whatsoever, doesn't know jack about mergers and acquisitions, and doesn't even begin to realize that his analysis isn't analysis at all.
I'm sorry, but flying 24/7 doesn't have you an "airline expert" in anything except product vs. product comparisons of different airlines.
Had the same issue with how he was writing about the CEO of Aer Lingus, as if somehow they were on the same level....
Some title too: "The Most Ridiculous Airline Aspiration Of The Century…"
I can think of two dozen more ridiculous things than what it appears La Compagnie is doing.....
Am I the only one who cringes every time Ben tries to write about "business strategy" or "business model" or so and so is "great at business"....
His writings on La Compagnie, whether accurate or not, drives me up the wall. He has no business experience whatsoever, doesn't know jack about mergers and acquisitions, and doesn't even begin to realize that his analysis isn't analysis at all.
I'm sorry, but flying 24/7 doesn't have you an "airline expert" in anything except product vs. product comparisons of different airlines.
Had the same issue with how he was writing about the CEO of Aer Lingus, as if somehow they were on the same level....
Some title too: "The Most Ridiculous Airline Aspiration Of The Century…"
I can think of two dozen more ridiculous things than what it appears La Compagnie is doing.....
Although Ben isn't the only armchair airline expert among P&M bloggers (I'd note that there are a few bloggers who seem to actually have knowledge/experience to support their analysis though)...or for that matter, among FT members.
#160
Yep, agree completely...
But the reality is that most of his readers probably don't know any better either... And it's all about getting as much posts out there and clicks from readers. Content is irrelevant, there's money to be made.
But the reality is that most of his readers probably don't know any better either... And it's all about getting as much posts out there and clicks from readers. Content is irrelevant, there's money to be made.
#161
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,626
The difference is that not all flyer talkers market themselves as 'experts '
#162
And the other difference is that some actually know what they are talking about... Something that in general becomes rather obvious rather quickly.
But it's irrelevant... He 's got the readers, so he must be doing something right.
Bread and circuses..... And some posts can be entertaining.
But it's irrelevant... He 's got the readers, so he must be doing something right.
Bread and circuses..... And some posts can be entertaining.
#163
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
He has readers, but I don't subscribe to the belief that:
If one has reasons = one is doing something "right"
I don't think he's doing right by himself OR his readers.
For his readers, he's selling what TPG sold for eons: Krug, showers, and a jet setter lifestyle.
For himself, he's on the fast track to burnout.
If one has reasons = one is doing something "right"
I don't think he's doing right by himself OR his readers.
For his readers, he's selling what TPG sold for eons: Krug, showers, and a jet setter lifestyle.
For himself, he's on the fast track to burnout.
#164
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,270
I'm not familiar with the hotel in question, but do think it's fair to ask a hotel to control/limit room access to the hotel's own guests, and those visiting guests in their rooms when it's structurally possible for a given floor. If a hotel has a policy of propping a back door for a daily deliveryman and not supervising that open door, then that's an action/policy that needs to be corrected ASAP.
#165
I rather not get the 3rd degree every time I go into my hotel just to prevent some naive traveler from losing a purse. Something that can also easily happen on the street. Nothing prevents stupidity.