One Mile at a Time [OMaaT] discussions [merged]
Jul 9, 2015, 1:25 pm
#496
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,737
You're right he is clear about not saying in the blog that travel is "free", but he does use the word cheap a lot with regard to fares, purchasing miles, etc: (And I wouldn't necessarily disagree with that adjective in many of the instances, relatively speaking)
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/?s=cheap
And as noted above, Ben certainly hasn't attempted to correct the article's characterizations, FWIW.
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/?s=cheap
And as noted above, Ben certainly hasn't attempted to correct the article's characterizations, FWIW.
Jul 9, 2015, 3:27 pm
#497
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Technically when you are fraudulently reusing travel certs you are traveling for free. Also, frequently looking for the smallest of problems and requesting compensation or looking for flights to get vouchers from getting bumped could classify as traveling for free. None of these methods I believe have been detailed in full by the blog. Though these methods could be connected to that quote even though he stated in the article he no longer uses these methods.
Jul 12, 2015, 10:57 am
#499
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,467
I don't follow this part of FlyerTalk, so I didn't know the article was coming until I read it. My reaction was to pull the FlyerTalk tag off my bag. That isn't a protest against anything or anyone. My travel is so utterly different (my points go to my employer, for instance) that I didn't want my professional image to be blurred by this other aspect of FT. The stuff I do here is purely practical - reading and posting hotel review, conversing about travel hassles (visas, oddball airlines); I didn't want to invite any questions about mileage runs or how I was getting rich (in any currency) through my 97% business travel. In month, the tags will go back on. I do like this place and I'm happy to be associated with it.
Jul 12, 2015, 1:13 pm
#501
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: Hyatt Glob; UA 1K; BonVoyage LTT (RIP SPG); HH Dia; JX Insighter
Posts: 1,643
Jul 12, 2015, 1:27 pm
#502
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: DUS
Posts: 199
Although I love flying around it must be very exhausting not having a place you can call "home".
Besides enjoying a luxury life while traveling it must be lonesome as well. Sure, you will meet lots of strangers, maybe fans/followers and some (Facebook)friends. But gone for almost a year without settling down and people you can rely on would be very hard for me.
Besides enjoying a luxury life while traveling it must be lonesome as well. Sure, you will meet lots of strangers, maybe fans/followers and some (Facebook)friends. But gone for almost a year without settling down and people you can rely on would be very hard for me.
Jul 12, 2015, 1:29 pm
#503
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,425
Jul 12, 2015, 1:50 pm
#504
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stockholm
Programs: Various
Posts: 3,369
I understand both Lucky on the blog and Ben/Lucky in Rolling Stone is an image he wants to sell. I am just curious which one is most true. Because frankly, the guy in Rolling Stone do not come across as someone I'd like to be associated with in any form.
Jul 12, 2015, 2:01 pm
#505
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,625
Lucky is affable and very enthusiastic about his hobby turned livelihood. It's sort of like spending time with an evangelist: you are inspired to become better (at this hobby) than you were.
Jul 12, 2015, 4:27 pm
#506
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,425
Jul 12, 2015, 4:37 pm
#507
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
buying miles, doing premium deals = a deal, rather than free
to a certain point, i imagine ben explaining some things to RS
and as RS listens, they focus on and emphasize certain things
edit - thought it was clear i was referring to spending money
to a certain point, i imagine ben explaining some things to RS
and as RS listens, they focus on and emphasize certain things
edit - thought it was clear i was referring to spending money
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jul 13, 2015 at 11:11 am
Jul 12, 2015, 8:50 pm
#508
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,737
Jul 12, 2015, 11:23 pm
#510
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Programs: AA, DL, AK, UN, CN
Posts: 967
I loved the article!
There's not enough detail in there to cause anyone with "The Hobby" a scare. It takes so much time!
The article will probably only help airlines - people will sign up for a few cards chasing the dream - but like most people I know back home - trying to get 1M miles is just too much work.
Only a few people have the passion, and it sure sounds like Ben has it.
It was good psuedo-journalism with a bit of a dark side, "Encrypted bulletin boards talking about manufactured spend." We all know MS is the dark side of miles these days, and look at the cat and mouse aspect of that game. FF miles don't seem to have the same cat and mouse - except for the slow drip of devaluation.
Not a Ben/OMAAT reader but might have to start. Wish I had the motivation to play it like him but prefer to travel slower these days.
There's not enough detail in there to cause anyone with "The Hobby" a scare. It takes so much time!
The article will probably only help airlines - people will sign up for a few cards chasing the dream - but like most people I know back home - trying to get 1M miles is just too much work.
Only a few people have the passion, and it sure sounds like Ben has it.
It was good psuedo-journalism with a bit of a dark side, "Encrypted bulletin boards talking about manufactured spend." We all know MS is the dark side of miles these days, and look at the cat and mouse aspect of that game. FF miles don't seem to have the same cat and mouse - except for the slow drip of devaluation.
Not a Ben/OMAAT reader but might have to start. Wish I had the motivation to play it like him but prefer to travel slower these days.