The Points Guy: We never accept free flights [merged TPG discussions]
Apr 25, 2018, 10:01 pm
#916
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North America
Posts: 2,265
Apr 26, 2018, 12:58 am
#917
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,640
Did they send someone to cover the VX1948 final flight? While I was at the gate, there was some kid yelling into his phone, bragging about being "invited to the new Polaris lounge at SFO for the purpose of reviewing it."
Apr 26, 2018, 5:42 am
#918
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Apr 30, 2018, 3:29 pm
#919
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,318
Just saw on my Twitter timeline a video advertisement TPG made of the new United lounge, featuring the airlines CEO, masquerading as editorial content, without even the #ad .
Jun 2, 2018, 2:14 pm
#920
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,640
TPG published an article that was clearly promoting illegal smuggling (regardless of how their writer tried to sugar coat it) to earn status and/or credit card points.
They have finally pulled it, but What ends up on the internet never leaves
They have finally pulled it, but What ends up on the internet never leaves
Jun 2, 2018, 5:44 pm
#921
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,138
TPG published an article that was clearly promoting illegal smuggling (regardless of how their writer tried to sugar coat it) to earn status and/or credit card points.
They have finally pulled it, but What ends up on the internet never leaves
They have finally pulled it, but What ends up on the internet never leaves
Jun 2, 2018, 8:01 pm
#922
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,318
LOL: Ms Fan claims she didnt violate any laws, but "Of course, customs in Argentina was the next big hurdle I worried about, since the country has strict rules around bringing in new goods that exceed a certain value. There’s not much to do if flagged down, other than pay the fines or abandon the items. Fortunately, knock on wood, I’ve skated by without being stopped even once over these past 12 trips, "
Not only did she likely violate customs law, but I am curious whether she is declaring the income on her taxes.
These people who brag about "hacking" don't realize that term refers to illegal activity.
Not only did she likely violate customs law, but I am curious whether she is declaring the income on her taxes.
These people who brag about "hacking" don't realize that term refers to illegal activity.
Last edited by Adam1222; Jun 2, 2018 at 8:20 pm
Jun 3, 2018, 5:38 am
#924
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Fairmont Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,041
She probably got a bonus for credit card conversions in that post.
I am sure Compliance reviewed it before approving it and suggested the insertion of several credit card affiliate links in the body of the post.
LOL
I am sure Compliance reviewed it before approving it and suggested the insertion of several credit card affiliate links in the body of the post.
LOL
Jun 3, 2018, 10:46 am
#925
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
Incredible. First she claims she was paying for her tickets with her commission.
Then she says she only brings $300 in goods per trip, so her commission is what, $50?
And I sure hope she had a story to backup her frequent trips, at least a "boyfriend" she could call
in case she was stopped at the airport. Locked up abroad LOL
Then she says she only brings $300 in goods per trip, so her commission is what, $50?
And I sure hope she had a story to backup her frequent trips, at least a "boyfriend" she could call
in case she was stopped at the airport. Locked up abroad LOL
Jun 3, 2018, 1:43 pm
#926
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,318
The fact that it was taken down and the fact that Ms. Fan expressly said that she did stuff to evade the law and talked about the worst case for when she is caught breaking the law suggests either compliance didn't review, or the compliance team is just as knowledgeable about law as the 37 writers who never flew internationally before being hired by TPG are knowledgeable about travel.
(or more likely compliance only looks at risk related to credit card related laws, which in the current administration is....minimal. if Ms. Fan risks criminal prosecution or loss of her Global entry, neither Bankrate nor Brian Kelly suffer.
(or more likely compliance only looks at risk related to credit card related laws, which in the current administration is....minimal. if Ms. Fan risks criminal prosecution or loss of her Global entry, neither Bankrate nor Brian Kelly suffer.
Jun 5, 2018, 7:28 am
#927
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,318
Today in the "experts" at the Points Guy regurgitating corporate-provided content, a post headlined: "Hyatt Place Brand to Undergo Refresh, Including Free Breakfast for All Members"
As anyone who knows about the hotel chains would know, free breakfast has been standard at Hyatt Places, and this is actually a downgrade as it is getting rid of free breakfast for third-party bookings.
They've already had to correct the body when Gary pointed out to the "writer" (marketing content specialist) that she doesn't know what she's talking about.
The whole post is an example of why the FTC should crack down on this blog.
As anyone who knows about the hotel chains would know, free breakfast has been standard at Hyatt Places, and this is actually a downgrade as it is getting rid of free breakfast for third-party bookings.
They've already had to correct the body when Gary pointed out to the "writer" (marketing content specialist) that she doesn't know what she's talking about.
The whole post is an example of why the FTC should crack down on this blog.
Jun 5, 2018, 7:39 am
#928
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Today in the "experts" at the Points Guy regurgitating corporate-provided content, a post headlined: "Hyatt Place Brand to Undergo Refresh, Including Free Breakfast for All Members"
As anyone who knows about the hotel chains would know, free breakfast has been standard at Hyatt Places, and this is actually a downgrade as it is getting rid of free breakfast for third-party bookings.
They've already had to correct the body when Gary pointed out to the "writer" (marketing content specialist) that she doesn't know what she's talking about.
The whole post is an example of why the FTC should crack down on this blog.
As anyone who knows about the hotel chains would know, free breakfast has been standard at Hyatt Places, and this is actually a downgrade as it is getting rid of free breakfast for third-party bookings.
They've already had to correct the body when Gary pointed out to the "writer" (marketing content specialist) that she doesn't know what she's talking about.
The whole post is an example of why the FTC should crack down on this blog.
Jun 8, 2018, 6:30 am
#929
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,318
They've now posted an apology that claims the post didn't meet their "journalistic" standards, without explaining that the story was placed by a company they have a financial relationship, and without suggesting there is any wall between the companies they market and their editorial content, and without saying what code of journalistic conduct they abide by. Certainly, not one that is taught in any journalism school I'm familiar with.
Jun 8, 2018, 11:42 am
#930
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
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They've now posted an apology that claims the post didn't meet their "journalistic" standards, without explaining that the story was placed by a company they have a financial relationship, and without suggesting there is any wall between the companies they market and their editorial content, and without saying what code of journalistic conduct they abide by. Certainly, not one that is taught in any journalism school I'm familiar with.
Paying an intern to cut and paste a press release sent to you is absolutely how the world of journalism works these days. Does journalism school even exist any more? And if it did, you'd be wasting your career writing for ANY trade publication, be that 'Plastics Weekly' (which a friend of mine used to edit in the UK, note he knew nothing about plastics) or anything else.
You really need to chill out Adam :-) You (not me, note) are living in a country with a screwed up media and political system but with the best will in the world I don't think you can blame TPG of contributing to that! If you're angry, take it out on something useful, otherwise you're just wasting your few precious seconds on this planet.