One Mile at a Time [OMaaT] discussions [merged]
Jul 23, 2015, 9:08 pm
#631
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: AA, HH, UA, Marriott, SW, Club Carlson, IHG
Posts: 202
These are the "good ol' days!"
Jul 23, 2015, 9:20 pm
#632
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,611
Jul 23, 2015, 9:21 pm
#633
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,737
Could you detail some of these free travel arrangements.
Jul 23, 2015, 9:33 pm
#634
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
I think it was a visit to a Hyatt somewhere in Argentina. It was so out of place as compared to his previous postings, and I looked carefully and didn't find an acknowledgement of free arrangements. I really didn't want to continue reading a shill blog; that is, one in which the author could not fairly criticize negative factors because he/she had accepted free arrangements/accommodations.
Jul 23, 2015, 9:54 pm
#635
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
I agree that the bloggers are in the wrong for selling this lifestyle for "free". It's manipulative but it does what they expect-- gets people to click their blog and their affiliate links.
As for this hobby being HARD, I think that's up for debate. I have a full time job and actually work extra shifts at it. I'm married (no kids). I still have extra time to apply for cards and do low-mid scale MS without much help from the wife. In 3 years, we've gone on 2-3 trips per year (typically a 2-week and a 1-week trip) and a few weekend getaways, mostly on points. We've flown 2 international F flights from Asia and have an Emirates F to DXB and MAD coming up next March. We went to Africa in J. We've stayed at a suite at Andaz Maui, stayed at the IC Times Square for NYE, and gone to Bora Bora twice to stay in OWB. All this was on points and miles. I agree that very few people can do (or want to do) what OMAAT does, but for those who want to travel in style a couple times a year, it's very doable if you're really interested and patient.
As for this hobby being HARD, I think that's up for debate. I have a full time job and actually work extra shifts at it. I'm married (no kids). I still have extra time to apply for cards and do low-mid scale MS without much help from the wife. In 3 years, we've gone on 2-3 trips per year (typically a 2-week and a 1-week trip) and a few weekend getaways, mostly on points. We've flown 2 international F flights from Asia and have an Emirates F to DXB and MAD coming up next March. We went to Africa in J. We've stayed at a suite at Andaz Maui, stayed at the IC Times Square for NYE, and gone to Bora Bora twice to stay in OWB. All this was on points and miles. I agree that very few people can do (or want to do) what OMAAT does, but for those who want to travel in style a couple times a year, it's very doable if you're really interested and patient.
Jul 23, 2015, 11:15 pm
#636
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 3,682
Doing it all for you.
Jul 24, 2015, 5:20 am
#637
formerly known as Frugal Travel Guy
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Greenville, SC
Programs: UA Gold, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 1,925
Interesting Reply?
That Nightline piece brought tons of people into the hobby (small "h") and many more grateful people have been able to see the world at prices they could afford.
I find it extremely arrogant to expect the hobby to close its doors to new members the day after you or any other "whiner" got involved.
Jul 24, 2015, 5:57 am
#638
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Jul 24, 2015, 6:02 am
#639
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Fairmont Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,041
I love it when ingy (small i) comments on my blog, my Alexa ranking numbers (he is the only one who cares about them) get a bump up. Thanks for the update again! Same old arguments #yawn
I am still laughing on that super hilarious The Bustle piece, what a classic!
http://www.shandypockets.com/the-wheels-on-the-bus.html
I am still laughing on that super hilarious The Bustle piece, what a classic!
http://www.shandypockets.com/the-wheels-on-the-bus.html
Jul 24, 2015, 6:59 am
#640
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 3,682
Rare indeed-a lot of guys would have just pushed people to apply for credit cards so they could get fat commissions from banks.
Jul 24, 2015, 7:41 am
#641
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 1,141
Astrophsx's last comment stands effectively unanswered because it is, in fact, unanswerable for the simple reason that Ben absolutely does not accept undisclosed free travel -- from anyone let alone some big chain like Hyatt. Posting here to the effect that the opposite is somehow true doesn't change that.
And saying that one of Ben's stays in a big chain hotel is odd is itself more than odd: all Ben does is stay in chain hotels! In fact, that's one of the things I don't like about the blog since I, for one, am simply unwilling to go to Paris (for example) just to stay in some Hyatt . . . even though the Vendome is reportedly quite nice.
There have been a few free travels nonetheless. A couple of years ago there was a very so-so stay in a Paris boutique hotel. That wasn't too interesting. The free trip on the G4, on the other hand, made for a truly wild blog post that was one of the better posts Ben's ever done.
In short, there are most certainly some not-so-great things about the blog that you can legitimately criticize. (A smattering of the more recent posts here have hit the mark.) There's no need, really, to venture into fiction.
And saying that one of Ben's stays in a big chain hotel is odd is itself more than odd: all Ben does is stay in chain hotels! In fact, that's one of the things I don't like about the blog since I, for one, am simply unwilling to go to Paris (for example) just to stay in some Hyatt . . . even though the Vendome is reportedly quite nice.
There have been a few free travels nonetheless. A couple of years ago there was a very so-so stay in a Paris boutique hotel. That wasn't too interesting. The free trip on the G4, on the other hand, made for a truly wild blog post that was one of the better posts Ben's ever done.
In short, there are most certainly some not-so-great things about the blog that you can legitimately criticize. (A smattering of the more recent posts here have hit the mark.) There's no need, really, to venture into fiction.
Last edited by FallenPlat; Jul 24, 2015 at 9:29 am
Jul 24, 2015, 7:41 am
#642
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
who cares about signups
what matters is bloggers who told people to buy refundable tickets
and to attack airlines over mistake fares (DOT complaint, lawsuit, etc)
manufactured spend is not going away
airlines are shifting to CC, vs flight miles
i imagine ben talked about what he spends, and writer ignored in favor of narrative
he made one exception, with his mom
what matters is bloggers who told people to buy refundable tickets
and to attack airlines over mistake fares (DOT complaint, lawsuit, etc)
manufactured spend is not going away
airlines are shifting to CC, vs flight miles
i imagine ben talked about what he spends, and writer ignored in favor of narrative
he made one exception, with his mom
Jul 24, 2015, 7:49 am
#643
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,605
who cares about signups
what matters is bloggers who told people to buy refundable tickets
and to attack airlines over mistake fares (DOT complaint, lawsuit, etc)
manufactured spend is not going away
airlines are shifting to CC, vs flight miles
i imagine ben talked about what he spends, and writer ignored in favor of narrative
he made one exception, with his mom
what matters is bloggers who told people to buy refundable tickets
and to attack airlines over mistake fares (DOT complaint, lawsuit, etc)
manufactured spend is not going away
airlines are shifting to CC, vs flight miles
i imagine ben talked about what he spends, and writer ignored in favor of narrative
he made one exception, with his mom
Jul 24, 2015, 12:27 pm
#644
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, IHG Gold Ambassador, Marriott Gold
Posts: 519
Not sure if it's been noted yet, but for the last few days this post has been stickied at the top: http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...ile-at-a-time/
It's pretty clear that RS/other articles have over-sensationalized "free" aspect as Lucky (unlike some other bloggers) hasn't ever claimed that. I've been following his blog for a couple of years and he usually just states that you may be able to travel in premium cabin for about the cost of economy.
That's what he's careful to point out in the linked post:
It's pretty clear that RS/other articles have over-sensationalized "free" aspect as Lucky (unlike some other bloggers) hasn't ever claimed that. I've been following his blog for a couple of years and he usually just states that you may be able to travel in premium cabin for about the cost of economy.
That's what he's careful to point out in the linked post:
...
Travel isn’t free
If you’ve come here from one of the rather sensationalist headlines, I’m afraid you’re about to be a bit disappointed. I’m actually not sure where the headline came from that I apparently travel constantly for “free.” Travel costs money. Period. And as someone who lives in hotels full time and flies 400,000+ miles per year, I can assure you it actually costs me a lot of money.
However, there are so many opportunities to enjoy truly amazing experiences while spending significantly less than you might think. I’ve reviewed hundreds of flights and hotel stays on this blog, and in the introduction post to each trip report I provide an exact breakdown of how many miles each award ticket costs.
My hope is that by having an example of how relatively few miles are required for this kind of travel that you’ll be inspired to travel more often, and more comfortably. The fact is that there’s tons of value to be had from getting into the miles & points world, even though travel still won’t ever be “free.”...
Travel isn’t free
If you’ve come here from one of the rather sensationalist headlines, I’m afraid you’re about to be a bit disappointed. I’m actually not sure where the headline came from that I apparently travel constantly for “free.” Travel costs money. Period. And as someone who lives in hotels full time and flies 400,000+ miles per year, I can assure you it actually costs me a lot of money.
However, there are so many opportunities to enjoy truly amazing experiences while spending significantly less than you might think. I’ve reviewed hundreds of flights and hotel stays on this blog, and in the introduction post to each trip report I provide an exact breakdown of how many miles each award ticket costs.
My hope is that by having an example of how relatively few miles are required for this kind of travel that you’ll be inspired to travel more often, and more comfortably. The fact is that there’s tons of value to be had from getting into the miles & points world, even though travel still won’t ever be “free.”...
Jul 24, 2015, 12:29 pm
#645
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
I think it was a visit to a Hyatt somewhere in Argentina. It was so out of place as compared to his previous postings, and I looked carefully and didn't find an acknowledgement of free arrangements. I really didn't want to continue reading a shill blog; that is, one in which the author could not fairly criticize negative factors because he/she had accepted free arrangements/accommodations.
My business class airfare, stay at the Park Hyatt Mendoza, and admission to all the events were comped, given that Park Hyatt, American Airlines, and all of the wineries we visited are sponsors of the event (and I’ll be sure to disclose that in every subsequent post on the subject, though hopefully y’all know me well enough to know that I’m quite outspoken about my impressions, and I have no plans to hold back here).
(Full disclosure: Park Hyatt and American Airlines, sponsors of the Masters of Food & Wine Event, comped my airfare, hotel, and admission to the events)
FDW