One Mile at a Time [OMaaT] discussions [merged]
Oct 3, 2018, 6:58 pm
#3557
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
I saw your post here and (to use your language) just HAD to respond.
I am the reader who wrote in to Ben about this topic. Maybe in your rush to spill your vitriol over the internet, you didn’t notice the parts of the article that noted that:
1: I received no notable compensation.
2: I recognised afterwards that I went a bit far.
3: I thought the double-sidedness, in hotels accepting bookings speculatively when they are not confident they will open, but the program not liking speculative bookings by members, was a bit rich.
I’m glad you see fit to moralise on what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour, from speculative hotel bookings to Iberia offer abuse, and we can all learn from your shining example. It’s particularly gratifying to be described as “gross as hell” from someone as highly esteemed as yourself.
Maybe you could follow your own advice to “get a side hustle to earn some money”. I am sure you would like to be held to the same moral standard you impose on others, and your post history is quite revealing.
I found the entry informative, so thanks for writing to Lucky. ^
Oct 4, 2018, 7:53 am
#3558
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 790
I saw your post here and (to use your language) just HAD to respond.
I am the reader who wrote in to Ben about this topic. Maybe in your rush to spill your vitriol over the internet, you didn’t notice the parts of the article that noted that:
1: I received no notable compensation.
2: I recognised afterwards that I went a bit far.
3: I thought the double-sidedness, in hotels accepting bookings speculatively when they are not confident they will open, but the program not liking speculative bookings by members, was a bit rich.
I’m glad you see fit to moralise on what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour, from speculative hotel bookings to Iberia offer abuse, and we can all learn from your shining example. It’s particularly gratifying to be described as “gross as hell” from someone as highly esteemed as yourself.
Maybe you could follow your own advice to “get a side hustle to earn some money”. I am sure you would like to be held to the same moral standard you impose on others, and your post history is quite revealing.
I think my post history here is quite mild actually, but you seem to be offended at the drop of a pin so who knows?
Oct 15, 2018, 11:21 pm
#3560
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Platinum, AF, Chase, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 1,089
I agree. I didn't think he would share much about his wedding, but I'm glad he did. It looks like a very nice, tasteful, and fitting ceremony. They look very happy together.
Dec 5, 2018, 9:31 am
#3561
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
I’m falling asleep within the first 2 paragraphs of every OMAAT post. He’s been doing the same thing since he was 17... and lately switched to only covering the airlines I’d never take.
I’ve switched channels along with it. I find the other bloggers posting stuff frequent flyers are interested in...
I’ve switched channels along with it. I find the other bloggers posting stuff frequent flyers are interested in...
Dec 5, 2018, 2:45 pm
#3562
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,510
The problem with doing the same thing since you were 17 is that you eventually run out of material to write about and the scene you are writing about changes. It really makes no sense to book a series of flights on one-off/odd ball carriers that no one is interested in simply to have material for your blog. Maybe it's time to rethink the blog.
And "James" for me has become the most interesting writer on the blog.
And "James" for me has become the most interesting writer on the blog.
Dec 6, 2018, 3:37 am
#3563
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,184
Ben uses templates to describe the inflight product he tests and reports about. If he structured his work right he could have a database that can auto write future reviews. As Koko mentioned before OMAAT is a terrific compendium on inflight seats. The other stuff he tends to write about are....
Dec 11, 2018, 11:32 am
#3564
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,737
Going to have to call Ben out on his response to a comment on an article he wrote about the St. Regis Bora Bora.
"John" wrote a comment:
Did it ever occur to you that they might have given you “the rockstar room” which is the most beaten up suite they have, e.g. since you booked with points? We all know the issue when you book with points? You´ll often times get what´s left from guests that actually pay money.
Ben responded:
@ John — Did it ever occur to you that I actually paid cash for my stay and I’m a Platinum Premier Ambassador? But I know you’re just here to troll me, so…
Yet in Ben's previous post about booking the St. Regis Bora Bora trip he wrote:
While I had previously booked a refundable stay at the St. Regis Bora Bora using the Citi Prestige fourth night free benefit, to my surprise there was a standard room available, so I was able to switch it to a points reservation, for 60,000 points per night.
Did I miss something here? Why would he claim he paid cash and therefore shouldn't have received a different experience? His original post was Sept. 28th of this year, but doesn't seem likely he would book with cash, then switch to points, then switch back to cash.
"John" wrote a comment:
Did it ever occur to you that they might have given you “the rockstar room” which is the most beaten up suite they have, e.g. since you booked with points? We all know the issue when you book with points? You´ll often times get what´s left from guests that actually pay money.
Ben responded:
@ John — Did it ever occur to you that I actually paid cash for my stay and I’m a Platinum Premier Ambassador? But I know you’re just here to troll me, so…
Yet in Ben's previous post about booking the St. Regis Bora Bora trip he wrote:
While I had previously booked a refundable stay at the St. Regis Bora Bora using the Citi Prestige fourth night free benefit, to my surprise there was a standard room available, so I was able to switch it to a points reservation, for 60,000 points per night.
Did I miss something here? Why would he claim he paid cash and therefore shouldn't have received a different experience? His original post was Sept. 28th of this year, but doesn't seem likely he would book with cash, then switch to points, then switch back to cash.
Dec 11, 2018, 4:28 pm
#3566
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,510
Interesting conversation going on among the readers reacting to James' explanation as to why OMAAT doesn't review Premium Economy (much). Underlying theme seems to be that many read OMAAT for entertainment and daydreaming but rarely find information useful to their own lives.
Dec 12, 2018, 8:00 am
#3568
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Interesting conversation going on among the readers reacting to James' explanation as to why OMAAT doesn't review Premium Economy (much). Underlying theme seems to be that many read OMAAT for entertainment and daydreaming but rarely find information useful to their own lives.
beth says:
December 11, 2018 at 4:02 pmPlease be honest and say Ben doesn’t want to fly premium economy and don’t tell me it’s because of mile redemption. I feel like every other week he’s bought some “amazing fare” that he’s flying. I think the fact that there is a post to justify the fact that the blog will not do reviews speaks to the fact that you know readers want it. Just own it. He doesn’t want to fly below business. Fine, that’s his choice but don’t make it seem like it is for another reason.
I got started in miles and points about 5 years ago(and kick myself for not having done so earlier), but find it harder and harder to get credit card bonuses. I don’t have huge spend totals so redemptions are further apart for me, which is unfortunate, but it was fun while it lasted.
I have switched into purchasing fares, including premium economy and take issue with you saying there isn’t much difference. I find huge differences.
Heck, BA has had problems with economy getting better and more abundant food that premium economy. Cathay uses their regional business seats for premium long haul. Some airlines offer different perks, and, really, how much difference is there between flying different types of planes in BA business? Especially over and over?
I think you are also missing the fact that premium economy is luxury travel for a lot of people and that most people don’t have the mileage bank you do nor will they ever. I have friends who would love to fly business or first but are traveling with a family of 4 or more so they purchase premium economy as a splurge.
I can’t get enough miles to get us somewhere in first and most of my family has never flown anything but economy so premium is a step up. I can’t tell you how blown away a friend of mine was when we went into a Delta lounge. They kept checking to make sure everything was complimentary. They told me they felt so important. It was a Delta lounge, and not even a very good one and this was a adult who had been traveling since they were small but this was new to them.
I think Ben has been traveling in luxury for so long, it has made him unaware of what “aspirational travel” actually is for a lot of people and, while it is certainly the blog’s prerogative to review what they want, I find it short-sighted and huge missed opportunity. I don’t think anyone is expecting hundreds of premium economy reviews, but a few would be rather nice.
I have been enjoying James’ articles because his have been more down to earth which makes the authorship of this article a little unfortunate.
December 11, 2018 at 4:02 pmPlease be honest and say Ben doesn’t want to fly premium economy and don’t tell me it’s because of mile redemption. I feel like every other week he’s bought some “amazing fare” that he’s flying. I think the fact that there is a post to justify the fact that the blog will not do reviews speaks to the fact that you know readers want it. Just own it. He doesn’t want to fly below business. Fine, that’s his choice but don’t make it seem like it is for another reason.
I got started in miles and points about 5 years ago(and kick myself for not having done so earlier), but find it harder and harder to get credit card bonuses. I don’t have huge spend totals so redemptions are further apart for me, which is unfortunate, but it was fun while it lasted.
I have switched into purchasing fares, including premium economy and take issue with you saying there isn’t much difference. I find huge differences.
Heck, BA has had problems with economy getting better and more abundant food that premium economy. Cathay uses their regional business seats for premium long haul. Some airlines offer different perks, and, really, how much difference is there between flying different types of planes in BA business? Especially over and over?
I think you are also missing the fact that premium economy is luxury travel for a lot of people and that most people don’t have the mileage bank you do nor will they ever. I have friends who would love to fly business or first but are traveling with a family of 4 or more so they purchase premium economy as a splurge.
I can’t get enough miles to get us somewhere in first and most of my family has never flown anything but economy so premium is a step up. I can’t tell you how blown away a friend of mine was when we went into a Delta lounge. They kept checking to make sure everything was complimentary. They told me they felt so important. It was a Delta lounge, and not even a very good one and this was a adult who had been traveling since they were small but this was new to them.
I think Ben has been traveling in luxury for so long, it has made him unaware of what “aspirational travel” actually is for a lot of people and, while it is certainly the blog’s prerogative to review what they want, I find it short-sighted and huge missed opportunity. I don’t think anyone is expecting hundreds of premium economy reviews, but a few would be rather nice.
I have been enjoying James’ articles because his have been more down to earth which makes the authorship of this article a little unfortunate.
Last edited by 84fiero; Dec 12, 2018 at 8:10 am
Dec 12, 2018, 10:33 am
#3569
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
getting rid of use of "aspirational" would help...
does ben still talk about 'laundering' miles? these days are there many airlines where one can get 'good deals' on premium flights by buying miles to redeem?
does ben still talk about 'laundering' miles? these days are there many airlines where one can get 'good deals' on premium flights by buying miles to redeem?
Dec 12, 2018, 10:13 pm
#3570
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Interesting conversation going on among the readers reacting to James' explanation as to why OMAAT doesn't review Premium Economy (much). Underlying theme seems to be that many read OMAAT for entertainment and daydreaming but rarely find information useful to their own lives.
Certainly PE isn't as aspirational as J/F but might be more realistic to certain readers like those who have a family and could afford 3-4 PE seats with a sign-up bonus and spend but getting to 3-4 J seats isn't going to happen (or isn't practical).