One Mile at a Time [OMaaT] discussions [merged]
#16
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,749
Of course Ben (and Gary as well) has a huge following--in fact, he's one of the most read points blogs as we all know. And, in part, that's because he was a relatively early presence in the field and his blog had a history of producing some real and interesting content. I enjoyed Ben's early days blogging because he brought a real sense of wonder to the adventures he was having.
But he's lost a fair amount of that wonder, unless he's salivating over the First Residence, and like so many bloggers has traded off a certain amount of interesting content for credit card links. As I mentioned above, the free market drives this stuff, and it makes sense that bloggers are more likely to survive if they can make money off their avocations. That's why I don't get too incensed about the credit card links because in that view, they make sense.
On the other hand, you can't expand or even keep the number of suckers you have if occasionally you let slip that you know they're suckers. And the truth is, the average traveler (and don't be fooled, there's no way anyone can now believe Ben is the average traveler) may want to fly in the premium cabins and be called Mr. Super Platinum hotel guest, but Ben shouldn't expect to keep the majority of those travelers who know it's probably more realistic that they're going to fly Delta, United, and American on domestic trips rather than every freaking A380 out there no matter what weird routing is required to do it.
That's the danger in calling a traveler's need to fly Delta a lot "scary"--you reveal both that you think the average traveler is a sucker and that you're becoming more removed from the average traveler's experience--which eventually makes you less interesting to the majority of your readership. Add in a heavier mix of content-free material, and an inevitable drop off in readers will occur.
Few things on the internet stay static--just ask MySpace.
But he's lost a fair amount of that wonder, unless he's salivating over the First Residence, and like so many bloggers has traded off a certain amount of interesting content for credit card links. As I mentioned above, the free market drives this stuff, and it makes sense that bloggers are more likely to survive if they can make money off their avocations. That's why I don't get too incensed about the credit card links because in that view, they make sense.
On the other hand, you can't expand or even keep the number of suckers you have if occasionally you let slip that you know they're suckers. And the truth is, the average traveler (and don't be fooled, there's no way anyone can now believe Ben is the average traveler) may want to fly in the premium cabins and be called Mr. Super Platinum hotel guest, but Ben shouldn't expect to keep the majority of those travelers who know it's probably more realistic that they're going to fly Delta, United, and American on domestic trips rather than every freaking A380 out there no matter what weird routing is required to do it.
That's the danger in calling a traveler's need to fly Delta a lot "scary"--you reveal both that you think the average traveler is a sucker and that you're becoming more removed from the average traveler's experience--which eventually makes you less interesting to the majority of your readership. Add in a heavier mix of content-free material, and an inevitable drop off in readers will occur.
Few things on the internet stay static--just ask MySpace.
#18
Join Date: May 2001
Location: IAD
Posts: 6,148
That's the danger in calling a traveler's need to fly Delta a lot "scary"--you reveal both that you think the average traveler is a sucker and that you're becoming more removed from the average traveler's experience--which eventually makes you less interesting to the majority of your readership. Add in a heavier mix of content-free material, and an inevitable drop off in readers will occur.
http://crankyflier.com/2013/12/12/a-...k-trip-report/
#19
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,666
I don't think I can stomach OMAAT's blog much longer... I just can't stand the overly snobbish/entitled tone that wasn't there a while back. Most of these BA bloggers seem to be so divorced from reality and too blatant in their plugging of credit cards that they no longer post any more useful content.
I found it funny that a commenter on one of Ben's posts remarked about him being a spoilt brat and using 25K AA miles on a 1 hour flight. Ben's retort was that he has "millions" of miles and hence it didn't matter to him. I wonder how he does that...
I found it funny that a commenter on one of Ben's posts remarked about him being a spoilt brat and using 25K AA miles on a 1 hour flight. Ben's retort was that he has "millions" of miles and hence it didn't matter to him. I wonder how he does that...
#20
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 970
Well, so far he's been avoiding any clear explanation about his miles
earned and used. He was claiming he earns 800K miles/yearly - which
is barely enough for 2 weeks of his flying...
Now it seems he stopped pretending he's on award flights - I just checked
his Etihad review and he mentions a few flights, all paid.
So it's really unclear what this blog is about. I guess he'll keep doing
whatever it is he's doing for as long as the readers are paying.
And remember the outrage about his kickstarter thing?
At least his blog seems to be still his, not like the amazing points guy,
who works for a credit card corporation and pretends to be "one of us".
Or one famous mother-in-law representative who only sells credit cards
and has weekly valuable giveaways...
Almost forgot a "mommy" who became an official Amex spokesman.
It's beyond me there are still "suckers" who believe those guys...
earned and used. He was claiming he earns 800K miles/yearly - which
is barely enough for 2 weeks of his flying...
Now it seems he stopped pretending he's on award flights - I just checked
his Etihad review and he mentions a few flights, all paid.
So it's really unclear what this blog is about. I guess he'll keep doing
whatever it is he's doing for as long as the readers are paying.
And remember the outrage about his kickstarter thing?
At least his blog seems to be still his, not like the amazing points guy,
who works for a credit card corporation and pretends to be "one of us".
Or one famous mother-in-law representative who only sells credit cards
and has weekly valuable giveaways...
Almost forgot a "mommy" who became an official Amex spokesman.
It's beyond me there are still "suckers" who believe those guys...
Or in MMS' case, a "$27000" 14 part trip for ONLY $4300...click often, click fast
#21
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Whilst I never spent much time with OMAT before, I must admit that I have started reading it more. The inaugural reports are genuinely interesting stuff and I am intrigued as to how he is managing the 'living in hotels' stuff.
What I don't understand is why he is putting out 8 posts a day, because stuff drops off his home page faster than most people can follow it!
What I don't understand is why he is putting out 8 posts a day, because stuff drops off his home page faster than most people can follow it!
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Saying that it "doesn't count" to do EY F on a paid ticket rather than miles is silly, especially given the commonly used and favored fares ex-CMB. At that point the cash was probably the smarter value.
#25
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Fairmont Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,041
#26
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
Of course we did! Come on George, it's so much more important than anything else. I'm surprised nobody caught this guy before as such an anti-green behavior... Flying for nothing, Dire Straits would rock it LOL
#27
#29
Founder of FlyerTalk
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 6,540
There will be of no value to attack me, I am simply pointing out to others that may read these comments that Ben is an extremely generous individual (whether on FlyerTalk or with other budding bloggers, he has always volunteered to help others) who was able through his own hard work and efforts turn his passion into a livelihood which delights those who do read him. On most days, Ben is the single most read individual in the frequent flyer space, more read than any single post/thread on FlyerTalk or other travel community. This is because he has content that is readable and enjoyable, not arguable.
#30
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,749
I'll stand up for Ben here, the same Ben who brought enthusiasm and representation for the membership of FlyerTalk when he was elected to the TalkBoard in the past. Since I've personally known Ben longer and more closely than anyone on this thread, I can say that Ben's never come across as smug nor spoiled nor pampered. He started his craft as a wild-eyed sophomore in college with a passion for the same general topics he writes about today and the (many) tens of thousands of his readers daily seem to enjoy traveling vicariously through his blog since many of us aren't able to in our daily jobs travel that way and it is more like readers become Walter Mitty-ish after reading his ventures and experiences similar in the way that other bloggers explore the far reaches of the world. What you may relate to as smug is likely related to the product rather than Ben because coach on Spirit Airlines dies not evoke the same pattern of content.
There will be of no value to attack me, I am simply pointing out to others that may read these comments that Ben is an extremely generous individual (whether on FlyerTalk or with other budding bloggers, he has always volunteered to help others) who was able through his own hard work and efforts turn his passion into a livelihood which delights those who do read him. On most days, Ben is the single most read individual in the frequent flyer space, more read than any single post/thread on FlyerTalk or other travel community. This is because he has content that is readable and enjoyable, not arguable.
There will be of no value to attack me, I am simply pointing out to others that may read these comments that Ben is an extremely generous individual (whether on FlyerTalk or with other budding bloggers, he has always volunteered to help others) who was able through his own hard work and efforts turn his passion into a livelihood which delights those who do read him. On most days, Ben is the single most read individual in the frequent flyer space, more read than any single post/thread on FlyerTalk or other travel community. This is because he has content that is readable and enjoyable, not arguable.
I understand your defense, but I find it difficult to believe that you founded this site with the intention of ever seeming to sneer at a passenger whose extensive travel needs are met by a major domestic carrier--no matter what valid criticisms might be offered about its frequent flyer program or its onboard product.