Frequent Traveler University (FTU) Events [merged]
Dec 13, 2014, 6:42 pm
#166
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,624
Hyatt play status with purchase of an FTU DFW ticket.
Might be cheaper to get the chase card if what you seek is plat status though.
Might be cheaper to get the chase card if what you seek is plat status though.
Dec 16, 2014, 2:55 am
#168
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Hilton Diamond; Delta Diamond; Hyatt Diamond; IHG Platinum; Emerald Exec Elite
Posts: 93
I also attended FTUDC last weekend. This was the first FTU I have attended, so I attended regular FTU (although I would have been much better suited in FTU Advanced and already bought my ticket to FTU Advanced Dallas). I really enjoyed most of the presentations and felt that I did learn a few things. For example, I don't really use Hotwire or Priceline, so I felt that presentation was useful. Also, while I do use shopping portals, I learned a thing or two in the "Maximizing Miles via Online Portals." I even enjoyed listening to the stuff I already knew. True, there were some REALLY stupid questions asked by newbies, but that was to be expected and is certainly not the fault of the presenters or the FTU organizers.
As BXIAN said, there were some good and bad points. I totally agree that the registration process left something to be desired, there was little-to-no advanced communication of the agenda, and there definitely needed to be more food during the cocktail party (I only saw one waiter with a plate, so I only managed to grab one hors-d'oeuvre during the whole party), and announcing the winners of the raffle did not seem well organized. In addition, it would have been nice to know ahead of time that the breakfast was carbs, carbs, and more carbs (primarily bananas and pastries).
But, in any event, to me none of that really mattered. I had a fantastic time talking to other points and miles junkies and, as I said, I enjoyed most of the presentations. The only one that I felt was a complete waste of time was the "Capital One Venture Card: the State of Travel and Rewards." I asked ahead of time if it was going to be one big advertisement for Capital One and was told no--WRONG! 95% of the presentation was nothing but a big advertisement for the Venture Card, which was really annoying. I actually got up and walked out of this one after about 25 minutes. I also walked out of the Advanced Q&A (even within basic FTU there was a beginner Q&A and an Advanced Q&A one day, and some of the stupid questions were painful to hear. I shudder to think what the questions must have been like in the beginner Q&A....)
In the end, I think, like anything else, FTU is what you make of it. I personally had a great time, met at least one person I will keep in touch with, and can't wait to attend FTU Advanced in Dallas.
As BXIAN said, there were some good and bad points. I totally agree that the registration process left something to be desired, there was little-to-no advanced communication of the agenda, and there definitely needed to be more food during the cocktail party (I only saw one waiter with a plate, so I only managed to grab one hors-d'oeuvre during the whole party), and announcing the winners of the raffle did not seem well organized. In addition, it would have been nice to know ahead of time that the breakfast was carbs, carbs, and more carbs (primarily bananas and pastries).
But, in any event, to me none of that really mattered. I had a fantastic time talking to other points and miles junkies and, as I said, I enjoyed most of the presentations. The only one that I felt was a complete waste of time was the "Capital One Venture Card: the State of Travel and Rewards." I asked ahead of time if it was going to be one big advertisement for Capital One and was told no--WRONG! 95% of the presentation was nothing but a big advertisement for the Venture Card, which was really annoying. I actually got up and walked out of this one after about 25 minutes. I also walked out of the Advanced Q&A (even within basic FTU there was a beginner Q&A and an Advanced Q&A one day, and some of the stupid questions were painful to hear. I shudder to think what the questions must have been like in the beginner Q&A....)
In the end, I think, like anything else, FTU is what you make of it. I personally had a great time, met at least one person I will keep in touch with, and can't wait to attend FTU Advanced in Dallas.
Dec 16, 2014, 5:33 am
#170
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Tempted to sign up, get Hyatt Plat and then resell the ticket! Can't see me taking a hit of more than $75 even with the transfer fee ....
Not life changing but would amortise even if only 3 Hyatt stays next year. Shame they canned My Elite Rate.
Not life changing but would amortise even if only 3 Hyatt stays next year. Shame they canned My Elite Rate.
Dec 16, 2014, 8:17 am
#171
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,624
I have none. No financial ties, no BFFs making money from it, have never even attended one. Wouldn't waste my money attending one, frankly. As you know, I prefer classic FT DO's where the money is spent on beer rather than speakers. 
Just trying to fulfill my role as Ambassador to this forum by keeping folks aware of external miles and points resources that are out there that might be right for them. ^
Just trying to fulfill my role as Ambassador to this forum by keeping folks aware of external miles and points resources that are out there that might be right for them. ^
Dec 16, 2014, 8:23 am
#172
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
I have none. No financial ties, no BFFs making money from it, have never even attended one. Wouldn't waste my money attending one, frankly. As you know, I prefer classic FT DO's where the money is spent on beer rather than speakers.
Just trying to fulfill my role as Ambassador to this forum by keeping folks aware of external miles and points resources that are out there that might be right for them. ^
Just trying to fulfill my role as Ambassador to this forum by keeping folks aware of external miles and points resources that are out there that might be right for them. ^
Dec 16, 2014, 8:35 am
#173
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,624
The market seems glutted for FTU Remedial, however.
Dec 17, 2014, 9:29 am
#174
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYC
Posts: 4,035
https://ftuniversity.com/events/ftu-dallas/
Note re-branding in title.
Otherwise appears to be the same cast doing the same show in a different city.
Note re-branding in title.
Otherwise appears to be the same cast doing the same show in a different city.
We've lined up ~50% of the speakers so far, but if anyone has any topic or speaker suggestions we'd love to hear them. Always open to new or different topics.
Dec 17, 2014, 9:33 am
#175
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYC
Posts: 4,035
I also attended FTUDC last weekend. This was the first FTU I have attended, so I attended regular FTU (although I would have been much better suited in FTU Advanced and already bought my ticket to FTU Advanced Dallas). I really enjoyed most of the presentations and felt that I did learn a few things. For example, I don't really use Hotwire or Priceline, so I felt that presentation was useful. Also, while I do use shopping portals, I learned a thing or two in the "Maximizing Miles via Online Portals." I even enjoyed listening to the stuff I already knew. True, there were some REALLY stupid questions asked by newbies, but that was to be expected and is certainly not the fault of the presenters or the FTU organizers.
As BXIAN said, there were some good and bad points. I totally agree that the registration process left something to be desired, there was little-to-no advanced communication of the agenda, and there definitely needed to be more food during the cocktail party (I only saw one waiter with a plate, so I only managed to grab one hors-d'oeuvre during the whole party), and announcing the winners of the raffle did not seem well organized. In addition, it would have been nice to know ahead of time that the breakfast was carbs, carbs, and more carbs (primarily bananas and pastries).
But, in any event, to me none of that really mattered. I had a fantastic time talking to other points and miles junkies and, as I said, I enjoyed most of the presentations. The only one that I felt was a complete waste of time was the "Capital One Venture Card: the State of Travel and Rewards." I asked ahead of time if it was going to be one big advertisement for Capital One and was told no--WRONG! 95% of the presentation was nothing but a big advertisement for the Venture Card, which was really annoying. I actually got up and walked out of this one after about 25 minutes. I also walked out of the Advanced Q&A (even within basic FTU there was a beginner Q&A and an Advanced Q&A one day, and some of the stupid questions were painful to hear. I shudder to think what the questions must have been like in the beginner Q&A....)
In the end, I think, like anything else, FTU is what you make of it. I personally had a great time, met at least one person I will keep in touch with, and can't wait to attend FTU Advanced in Dallas.
As BXIAN said, there were some good and bad points. I totally agree that the registration process left something to be desired, there was little-to-no advanced communication of the agenda, and there definitely needed to be more food during the cocktail party (I only saw one waiter with a plate, so I only managed to grab one hors-d'oeuvre during the whole party), and announcing the winners of the raffle did not seem well organized. In addition, it would have been nice to know ahead of time that the breakfast was carbs, carbs, and more carbs (primarily bananas and pastries).
But, in any event, to me none of that really mattered. I had a fantastic time talking to other points and miles junkies and, as I said, I enjoyed most of the presentations. The only one that I felt was a complete waste of time was the "Capital One Venture Card: the State of Travel and Rewards." I asked ahead of time if it was going to be one big advertisement for Capital One and was told no--WRONG! 95% of the presentation was nothing but a big advertisement for the Venture Card, which was really annoying. I actually got up and walked out of this one after about 25 minutes. I also walked out of the Advanced Q&A (even within basic FTU there was a beginner Q&A and an Advanced Q&A one day, and some of the stupid questions were painful to hear. I shudder to think what the questions must have been like in the beginner Q&A....)
In the end, I think, like anything else, FTU is what you make of it. I personally had a great time, met at least one person I will keep in touch with, and can't wait to attend FTU Advanced in Dallas.
WRT the Capital One presentation, I've got to apologize. I'm certain it was me you asked, and I was led to believe the presentation was going to be on industry trends; having sat in on it I completely agree with you that it was pretty much nothing but a promo. Sorry about that.
Dec 17, 2014, 11:47 am
#176
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Fort Worth TX
Programs: Earned status with AA, DL, SPG, HH, Hyatt, Marriott, Seabourn, NCL, National, Hertz...I miss my bed!
Posts: 10,927
Dec 17, 2014, 11:51 am
#177
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Fort Worth TX
Programs: Earned status with AA, DL, SPG, HH, Hyatt, Marriott, Seabourn, NCL, National, Hertz...I miss my bed!
Posts: 10,927
WRT the Capital One presentation, I've got to apologize. I'm certain it was me you asked, and I was led to believe the presentation was going to be on industry trends; having sat in on it I completely agree with you that it was pretty much nothing but a promo. Sorry about that.
I know at a few of conferences I have attended regularly for 10-15 years, it has greatly improved the quality of content, cut down on duplication from session to session, and helped weed out the commercially-heavy presentations.
Just a thought.
Dec 18, 2014, 4:57 am
#178
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
I have none. No financial ties, no BFFs making money from it, have never even attended one. Wouldn't waste my money attending one, frankly. As you know, I prefer classic FT DO's where the money is spent on beer rather than speakers.
Just trying to fulfill my role as Ambassador to this forum by keeping folks aware of external miles and points resources that are out there that might be right for them. ^
Just trying to fulfill my role as Ambassador to this forum by keeping folks aware of external miles and points resources that are out there that might be right for them. ^
Dec 18, 2014, 7:47 am
#179
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,624