One Mile at a Time [OMaaT] discussions [merged]
#3166
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,737
I just watched his IG stories as well. As you mentioned he's pointed out some cool features. Although there probably isn't much that hasn't been captured in other reviews of the Residence. Pretty annoying to watch though - not sure if it's the booze but it's like listening to a teenager gush about their crush. Kind of a repetitive style of speaking similar to his blog posts. His obsession with champagne gets old pretty quick. If I were someone simply looking for an informative review of the product I wouldn't bother watching past the first couple of minutes. But maybe his IG followers are mostly friends and fan-boys/girls.
His IG photo post narratives are also kinda teenager-ish..."I can't even!" etc.
Residence is interesting to see though.
His IG photo post narratives are also kinda teenager-ish..."I can't even!" etc.
Residence is interesting to see though.
#3167
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
I don't think Ben has ever used Instagram stories or Facebook live and was looking to document this milestone in his career and allow interaction. Much like my reference to Brian Kelly... I don't think they really understand that their audience is watching them drunk. They themselves are a brand and I don't think it's the best decision to present themselves in that manner. When Ben and Brian are wasted on an airplane... is that still considered a tax write off and not a vacation?
I don't get it, when I'm going to be drinking a lot, the last thing I want is video or photographic recording capabilities! And I sure wouldn't do it in the setting of my business venture. Like you said, doesn't seem like a wise move from a brand perspective. But maybe in this age of the Kardashianization of America it's OK, I don't know.
#3168
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,510
#3169
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,320
I agree that a flight where one is drunk and clearly is taking for personal enjoyment shouldn't be considered a business expense for tax purposes simply because you post about it on your credit card blog.
#3170
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: Jeff is Deaf
Posts: 541
Being in an article on [EDIT] Rollingstone is notable enough for a wikipedia entry. I've seen far less notable people have their own wiki.
Last edited by YoungSoloTraveler; May 15, 2017 at 7:53 am
#3172
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: กรุงเทพมหานคร
Programs: *G, oneworld Sapphire
Posts: 100
I have to say I'm surprised Ben is the first miles and points person to get a show, rather than TPG. I'm also a bit shocked that Bravo, a network famous for big, loud personalities, would feature someone who's essentially a younger, gayer version of Rick Steves. Much love to Lucky, but he's about as enthralling as a cappuccino at 35,000 feet.
#3173
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,320
I have to say I'm surprised Ben is the first miles and points person to get a show, rather than TPG. I'm also a bit shocked that Bravo, a network famous for big, loud personalities, would feature someone who's essentially a younger, gayer version of Rick Steves. Much love to Lucky, but he's about as enthralling as a cappuccino at 35,000 feet.
#3174
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
I don't think it's really a "show", just a feature on Bravos new travel blog. Brian doesn't own the rights to The Points Guy name and he's not much without it. Bravo isn't going to enter into business with Bankrate. (Note this recycled garbage article on the blog by former TPG "managing editor " Eric Rosen. http://www.bravotv.com/blogs/best-ai...-how-to-get-in) Lucky is actually a better fit for Bravo these days, as Bravo more and more features morally questionable people whose career is essentially conspicuous consumption on film while imbibing too much booze. See eg RHOA, Vanderpump Rules, Southern Charm.
Bake Amends — See what’s cooking in the world of apology cakes, where people say sorry by whipping up a baked creation … which doesn’t always go according to plan.
#3175
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,229
To the next generation of credit card customers, getting a show on a YouTube channel is more exciting than getting a show on Bravo cable TV.
If you want to reach the teens and early 20 somethings and get them to start thinking of credit cards as 'travel aspirational' having Ben on a YouTube channel might be more effective than a show on Cable Bravo.
Its all about who you are marketing to.
#3177
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,737
I don't think it's that unrealistic. He didn't really get into how he received the money he was saving. I know a few guys who when they were 15-18 started businesses that would easily enable them to purchase a residence ticket. I know at least one who had a higher income than their parents by 16.
His writing and photos are much better than Lucky and the kid is a lot less annoying.
His writing and photos are much better than Lucky and the kid is a lot less annoying.
Bottom line:
These new bloggers are making Ben look lazy!
#3178
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,620
#3179
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,737
I don't believe so. They were Instagram stories that last about 24 hours. If I recall correctly he started to get frantic because he could not find the two gifts Etihad got him, then he opens them to reveal model planes, then shows the photo of Shawn Mendes, and then he started to sound fairly drunk and his speech picked up about twice the normal pace and he pondered what he should do.. if he should sleep or stay up.
Eventually he got to the point where he could no longer consume champagne and talks about the advantage of having your own bathroom, walks to the bathroom, and throws an entire glass of champagne down the drain. Then he mentioned how odd it was that the butler left him a box of tissues.
I think I was expecting something more choreographed. He didn't really seem to know how to maximize the opprotunity for the blog.
Eventually he got to the point where he could no longer consume champagne and talks about the advantage of having your own bathroom, walks to the bathroom, and throws an entire glass of champagne down the drain. Then he mentioned how odd it was that the butler left him a box of tissues.
I think I was expecting something more choreographed. He didn't really seem to know how to maximize the opprotunity for the blog.
#3180
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
I don't believe so. They were Instagram stories that last about 24 hours. If I recall correctly he started to get frantic because he could not find the two gifts Etihad got him, then he opens them to reveal model planes, then shows the photo of Shawn Mendes, and then he started to sound fairly drunk and his speech picked up about twice the normal pace and he pondered what he should do.. if he should sleep or stay up.
Eventually he got to the point where he could no longer consume champagne and talks about the advantage of having your own bathroom, walks to the bathroom, and throws an entire glass of champagne down the drain. Then he mentioned how odd it was that the butler left him a box of tissues.
I think I was expecting something more choreographed. He didn't really seem to know how to maximize the opprotunity for the blog.
Eventually he got to the point where he could no longer consume champagne and talks about the advantage of having your own bathroom, walks to the bathroom, and throws an entire glass of champagne down the drain. Then he mentioned how odd it was that the butler left him a box of tissues.
I think I was expecting something more choreographed. He didn't really seem to know how to maximize the opprotunity for the blog.
The videos before flight, where he was in the Residence lounge, were sort of the high point (and that's being kind) and it went downhill from there. In the air, there was a lot of pacing around, mumbling the same exclamatory phrases over and over, repeatedly showing champagne bottle/glasses, more babbling which became less and less coherent towards the end.
Basically it was not much different from when my teen daughter and her friends would snapchat their everyday lives - like a trip to the mall, hanging out in the family room, going to a restaurant, etc. Except it was a grown adult in a super expensive airline cabin.