Aug 2, 19, 5:26 am
Last edit by: thehowieee
Key Links:
- Registration - $125/person - Includes access to all registered sessions, lunch Saturday/Sunday, coffee/snack breaks and happy hour Saturday night
- Session / Speaker Details - So you know what you're looking at when you go through registration
- Hotel Booking at Host Hotel (This link will only work properly on a laptop or desktop browser, don't ask me why, because I don't know) - $115/night + taxes/fees. Includes breakfast for 2 each morning
OFFICIAL - 10th Chicago Seminars - October 18-20, 2019
Aug 1, 19, 2:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SAV
Programs: DL PM, SPG PLT
Posts: 959
OFFICIAL - 10th Chicago Seminars - October 18-20, 2019
This is a not for profit event. After all the bills are paid, 100% of the remaining funds are donated. We'll have 2-3 charities in all -- one of our charities is The Independence Fund.
- Registration is up - $125
- Session / Speaker Details - So you know what you're looking at when you go through registration
- Hotel Booking at Host Hotel (This link will only work properly on a laptop or desktop browser, don't ask me why, because I don't know) - $115/night + taxes/fees. Includes breakfast for 2 each morning
Last edited by thehowieee; Aug 2, 19 at 8:36 am
Aug 1, 19, 2:02 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SAV
Programs: DL PM, SPG PLT
Posts: 959
Hotel Booking Information
Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village -- Use this link. Includes breakfast for 2 each morning - $115/night + taxes
(This link will only work properly on a laptop or desktop browser, don't ask me why, because I don't know)
(This link will only work properly on a laptop or desktop browser, don't ask me why, because I don't know)
Last edited by thehowieee; Aug 2, 19 at 8:37 am
Aug 1, 19, 2:03 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SAV
Programs: DL PM, SPG PLT
Posts: 959
Event Schedule
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18TH
4pm - 8pm - Registration Desk Open
530pm - 6pm - Welcome to Chicago Seminars & Tips on a Successful Event (Howie) - An Introduction to the Chicago Seminars, some tips on how to get the most out of the weekend and an open forum to ask any event-related questions.
615pm - 715pm
50 ways to earn miles, points, & cash back without a new card (Lee Huffman / BaldThoughts.com)
Sweet Spots & Maximization with Hotel Points (Henning Mente / First Class & More) - In this session, Henning will give an overview of the most generous programs, the best quick wins for beginners, how to get a high tier elite status fast and how to get a maximum value out of your points.
Non Rev - Good, Bad, Ugly (Dave H / Bikeguy) - A peek behind the curtain of those seats that get filled at the last minute by airline employees, their friends, family, and buddies.
730pm - 830pm
Fly 9 people on the same award flight almost every time - Sweet Spots! (Richard Kerr)
Case Study: I went from MS idiot to earning 500K points in a month (Zach F) - How to become an MS expert in 1 year.
Maximize Las Vegas/Hotel Loyalty Crossover - (Bethany Walsh / Bougie Miles) - Strategically Combine perks like Amex's FHR Benefit with casino offers and hotel loyalty programs for big benefits, cheap rooms, and lots of points
SATURDAY OCTOBER 19TH
8am - 12pm - Registration Desk Open
830am - 930am - Credit & Rewards Cards - History Lesson, How Things have changed, and where we are now. (Howie & Rick) - Howie and Rick will cover the fundamentals of credit, credit scores, and dispel some of the too many myths with credit cards. Are you under 5/24? Should you care?
945am - 1045am
Awards worth MSing for (Nick Reyes / Frequent Miler) - The top 2 sweet spots from each major transferable currency analyzed in terms of cost to MS under normal circumstances. From amazing deals on domestic travel to round-the-world in luxury and style for less than you might expect.
Points to Islands - The World's Most Incredible Islands and How to Get Yourself to Them (Stefan / Rapid Travel Chai) - Napoleon on St Helena, GIs on Guadalcanal. Dragon's Blood Trees of Socotra, wombats of Maria Island. Beaches beyond belief and all to yourself. Encounter the world's most incredible islands and how to make your island dreams a reality with points.
My 2.5 Month Family Trip (Shawn Coomer / Miles to Memories & DisneyHacks.com) - Planning, Redeeming, and the Highs/Lows of 70+ days away on the move with the family.
11am - 12p
New to the game: Understanding award charts, partner airlines, and transferring your points and miles (Tiffany / One Mile at a Time) - How do you know how many miles you need for an award? How do you book an ANA award with United miles or a Delta award with Virgin Atlantic miles? Get the basics for how to figure out what you need and book partner awards.
Advanced Credit Cards (Stefan / Rapid Travel Chai) - Banks are smart, so we need to be smarter. Learn the latest developments and techniques for maximizing credit card rewards and benefits. Explore little-known cards, cards for heavy spend, and more.
Leveraging Vacation Rentals - Hotels Don't Always Make Sense (Dia / The Deal Mommy) - Do you find yourself often need more space than a single hotel room affords, or the price of a hotel is insane, or you just don't want to stay in a cookie cutter place -- vacation rentals can help with all of these. Dia thinks outside of the box without compromising quality and helps you spend your money perhaps where you'd rather see it go.
12pm - 1pm - Lunch
1pm - 2pm
Panel on Disney (Dia, Shawn, Richard, and Marty) - 4 completely different perspectives from some of the nerdiest points and miles Disney nerds. Come with your crazy questions.
Ask Me Anything with Tiffany from One Mile at a Time (Tiffany / One Mile at a Time) - Looking for a chance to get YOUR question answered by an expert in every aspect of the points and miles world? (she won't admit to it, but she is). Bring your out of the box questions to try and stump Tiffany -- good luck!
Outside the Box (Henning Mente / First Class & More) - Discover the world of loyalty away from credit cards and the big US airlines and hotels. You will get a bunch of ideas to improve your travels with foreign and lesser known miles and points programs.
215pm - 315pm
All the apps you need on your phone to save money on everything (Richard Kerr) - Got a smartphone? Richard will show you all the apps you should be using to save money -- on everything. Oh, he'll show you how to do a sextuple (6x) dip on earning.
#40kfaraway with Frequent Miler (Greg & Nick / Frequent Miler) - Lessons learned from a challenge to get as far away as possible on 40K points and $400.
Maximizing Air France Flying Blue (Spencer / Straight to the Points) - One of a few programs that deserve a dedicated session. Transfer partner from so many programs, you can't ignore Flying Blue
4pm - 5pm
Ask Me Anything / Why You're Doing it Wrong - Dispelling Group Think in the Points/Miles World (Richard Kerr) - Don't be a robot and believe just what you see. Think outside the box, think through an idea and don't follow what everyone else does. Richard will go over examples of how and why you need to think differently and how to beat what everyone else is doing.
Ask Me Anything with Frequent Miler (Greg / Frequent Miler) - You've got questions, Greg has answers.
How Miles & Points Led Me to Quit My Job and Move To Nashville (Lee Huffman / BaldThoughts.com)
515pm - 615pm
Buying into Buyer's Groups (Zach F) - How you can join buyer's groups -- effectively, buying electronics for a large group and earning points -- as well as tips on how to be smart about the process (how to keep good records, importance of reconciling, ways to network and find more groups).
Loyalty Program Elite Status Without the Loyalty - (Bethany Walsh / Bougie Miles) - Easiest ways to obtain elite status in airline and hotel programs and maximize the value of your perks.
Group Award Travel - 5+ people (Dave H / Bikeguy) - You need to be creative when it comes to adding a 3rd, 4th, or 5th person to your travel group. If you thought finding 2 award seats with tough, learn how to make larger group travel work out.
615pm - 7pm
Ask Me Anything with Stefan and Zach -- Credit card or MS question? You're welcome
7pm - 8pm
Happy Hour / Reception in Woodfield Ballroom
SUNDAY OCTOBER 20TH (All Sunday Sessions are open to all)
8am - 9am - Open Panel Discussion on Credit Cards
9am - 10am - Sponsors Workshop
10am - 11am - Charity Raffle
1115am - 1215pm - Airline Breakouts - Large Roundtable discussions for major airline programs - Pick your favorite and participate in an informal discussion (AA, Delta, United, Southwest, Everyone Else)
1215pm - 115pm - Lunch
130pm - 230pm - Hotel Breakouts - Large Roundtable discussions for major hotel programs - Pick your favorite and participate in an informal discussion (IHG, Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, Everything Else)
245pm - 4pm - Event Closing & Open Panel on Everything Else Moderated by Stefan / Rapid Travel Chai
5pm - 7pm - Bonus Happy Hour by Stefan / Rapid Travel Chai - Hotel Bar (pay for your own drinks and hang out with Stefan & others with late-night flights or Monday AM flights)
4pm - 8pm - Registration Desk Open
530pm - 6pm - Welcome to Chicago Seminars & Tips on a Successful Event (Howie) - An Introduction to the Chicago Seminars, some tips on how to get the most out of the weekend and an open forum to ask any event-related questions.
615pm - 715pm
50 ways to earn miles, points, & cash back without a new card (Lee Huffman / BaldThoughts.com)
Sweet Spots & Maximization with Hotel Points (Henning Mente / First Class & More) - In this session, Henning will give an overview of the most generous programs, the best quick wins for beginners, how to get a high tier elite status fast and how to get a maximum value out of your points.
Non Rev - Good, Bad, Ugly (Dave H / Bikeguy) - A peek behind the curtain of those seats that get filled at the last minute by airline employees, their friends, family, and buddies.
730pm - 830pm
Fly 9 people on the same award flight almost every time - Sweet Spots! (Richard Kerr)
Case Study: I went from MS idiot to earning 500K points in a month (Zach F) - How to become an MS expert in 1 year.
Maximize Las Vegas/Hotel Loyalty Crossover - (Bethany Walsh / Bougie Miles) - Strategically Combine perks like Amex's FHR Benefit with casino offers and hotel loyalty programs for big benefits, cheap rooms, and lots of points
SATURDAY OCTOBER 19TH
8am - 12pm - Registration Desk Open
830am - 930am - Credit & Rewards Cards - History Lesson, How Things have changed, and where we are now. (Howie & Rick) - Howie and Rick will cover the fundamentals of credit, credit scores, and dispel some of the too many myths with credit cards. Are you under 5/24? Should you care?
945am - 1045am
Awards worth MSing for (Nick Reyes / Frequent Miler) - The top 2 sweet spots from each major transferable currency analyzed in terms of cost to MS under normal circumstances. From amazing deals on domestic travel to round-the-world in luxury and style for less than you might expect.
Points to Islands - The World's Most Incredible Islands and How to Get Yourself to Them (Stefan / Rapid Travel Chai) - Napoleon on St Helena, GIs on Guadalcanal. Dragon's Blood Trees of Socotra, wombats of Maria Island. Beaches beyond belief and all to yourself. Encounter the world's most incredible islands and how to make your island dreams a reality with points.
My 2.5 Month Family Trip (Shawn Coomer / Miles to Memories & DisneyHacks.com) - Planning, Redeeming, and the Highs/Lows of 70+ days away on the move with the family.
11am - 12p
New to the game: Understanding award charts, partner airlines, and transferring your points and miles (Tiffany / One Mile at a Time) - How do you know how many miles you need for an award? How do you book an ANA award with United miles or a Delta award with Virgin Atlantic miles? Get the basics for how to figure out what you need and book partner awards.
Advanced Credit Cards (Stefan / Rapid Travel Chai) - Banks are smart, so we need to be smarter. Learn the latest developments and techniques for maximizing credit card rewards and benefits. Explore little-known cards, cards for heavy spend, and more.
Leveraging Vacation Rentals - Hotels Don't Always Make Sense (Dia / The Deal Mommy) - Do you find yourself often need more space than a single hotel room affords, or the price of a hotel is insane, or you just don't want to stay in a cookie cutter place -- vacation rentals can help with all of these. Dia thinks outside of the box without compromising quality and helps you spend your money perhaps where you'd rather see it go.
12pm - 1pm - Lunch
1pm - 2pm
Panel on Disney (Dia, Shawn, Richard, and Marty) - 4 completely different perspectives from some of the nerdiest points and miles Disney nerds. Come with your crazy questions.
Ask Me Anything with Tiffany from One Mile at a Time (Tiffany / One Mile at a Time) - Looking for a chance to get YOUR question answered by an expert in every aspect of the points and miles world? (she won't admit to it, but she is). Bring your out of the box questions to try and stump Tiffany -- good luck!
Outside the Box (Henning Mente / First Class & More) - Discover the world of loyalty away from credit cards and the big US airlines and hotels. You will get a bunch of ideas to improve your travels with foreign and lesser known miles and points programs.
215pm - 315pm
All the apps you need on your phone to save money on everything (Richard Kerr) - Got a smartphone? Richard will show you all the apps you should be using to save money -- on everything. Oh, he'll show you how to do a sextuple (6x) dip on earning.
#40kfaraway with Frequent Miler (Greg & Nick / Frequent Miler) - Lessons learned from a challenge to get as far away as possible on 40K points and $400.
Maximizing Air France Flying Blue (Spencer / Straight to the Points) - One of a few programs that deserve a dedicated session. Transfer partner from so many programs, you can't ignore Flying Blue
4pm - 5pm
Ask Me Anything / Why You're Doing it Wrong - Dispelling Group Think in the Points/Miles World (Richard Kerr) - Don't be a robot and believe just what you see. Think outside the box, think through an idea and don't follow what everyone else does. Richard will go over examples of how and why you need to think differently and how to beat what everyone else is doing.
Ask Me Anything with Frequent Miler (Greg / Frequent Miler) - You've got questions, Greg has answers.
How Miles & Points Led Me to Quit My Job and Move To Nashville (Lee Huffman / BaldThoughts.com)
515pm - 615pm
Buying into Buyer's Groups (Zach F) - How you can join buyer's groups -- effectively, buying electronics for a large group and earning points -- as well as tips on how to be smart about the process (how to keep good records, importance of reconciling, ways to network and find more groups).
Loyalty Program Elite Status Without the Loyalty - (Bethany Walsh / Bougie Miles) - Easiest ways to obtain elite status in airline and hotel programs and maximize the value of your perks.
Group Award Travel - 5+ people (Dave H / Bikeguy) - You need to be creative when it comes to adding a 3rd, 4th, or 5th person to your travel group. If you thought finding 2 award seats with tough, learn how to make larger group travel work out.
615pm - 7pm
Ask Me Anything with Stefan and Zach -- Credit card or MS question? You're welcome
7pm - 8pm
Happy Hour / Reception in Woodfield Ballroom
SUNDAY OCTOBER 20TH (All Sunday Sessions are open to all)
8am - 9am - Open Panel Discussion on Credit Cards
9am - 10am - Sponsors Workshop
10am - 11am - Charity Raffle
1115am - 1215pm - Airline Breakouts - Large Roundtable discussions for major airline programs - Pick your favorite and participate in an informal discussion (AA, Delta, United, Southwest, Everyone Else)
1215pm - 115pm - Lunch
130pm - 230pm - Hotel Breakouts - Large Roundtable discussions for major hotel programs - Pick your favorite and participate in an informal discussion (IHG, Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, Everything Else)
245pm - 4pm - Event Closing & Open Panel on Everything Else Moderated by Stefan / Rapid Travel Chai
5pm - 7pm - Bonus Happy Hour by Stefan / Rapid Travel Chai - Hotel Bar (pay for your own drinks and hang out with Stefan & others with late-night flights or Monday AM flights)
Last edited by thehowieee; Oct 15, 19 at 4:25 am
Aug 1, 19, 2:04 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SAV
Programs: DL PM, SPG PLT
Posts: 959
Sponsors
Sponsors help keep the cost in check for the event.
Sponsorship is $1000 and includes
Sponsorship is $1000 and includes
- 1 Ticket to event
- 8' Table near the registration desk
- 10 minutes to speak on Sunday morning at Sponsors Workshop
Last edited by thehowieee; Oct 15, 19 at 4:36 am
Aug 1, 19, 2:05 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SAV
Programs: DL PM, SPG PLT
Posts: 959
Charity Raffle & Donations
If you'd like to donate anything to the charity raffle please reach out to "[email protected]"
Things like drink chits, lounge passes, amenity kits, upgrade certificates, etc
Charities we'll be donating to this year:
Airline Ambassadors International – airlineamb.org
Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) helps orphans and vulnerable children worldwide by leveraging connections with the airline industry towards humanitarian service.
Dahl Scholarship Fund – dahlfund.org
This fund is created in memory of Captain Jason Dahl with respect toward all victims of the events of 9/11/2001. It supports future generations of pilots, young people yearning to fly, through the award of Aviation Scholarships annually.
Semper Fi Fund - semperfifund.org
The Semper Fi Fund provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to post-9/11 combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, ensuring that they have the resources they need during their recovery and transition back to their communities.
Things like drink chits, lounge passes, amenity kits, upgrade certificates, etc
Charities we'll be donating to this year:
Airline Ambassadors International – airlineamb.org
Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) helps orphans and vulnerable children worldwide by leveraging connections with the airline industry towards humanitarian service.
Dahl Scholarship Fund – dahlfund.org
This fund is created in memory of Captain Jason Dahl with respect toward all victims of the events of 9/11/2001. It supports future generations of pilots, young people yearning to fly, through the award of Aviation Scholarships annually.
Semper Fi Fund - semperfifund.org
The Semper Fi Fund provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to post-9/11 combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, ensuring that they have the resources they need during their recovery and transition back to their communities.
Last edited by thehowieee; Oct 15, 19 at 4:37 am
Aug 2, 19, 12:32 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 484
Happy to see the links posted, as well as being able to get a ticket. Thanks!
When making the payment via PayPal, my first attempt didn’t seem to go through and I didn’t receive a confirmation email. I tried a second time and everything went smoothly. I’m hoping that I didn’t pay twice and will send a pm if two credit charges were processed.
When making the payment via PayPal, my first attempt didn’t seem to go through and I didn’t receive a confirmation email. I tried a second time and everything went smoothly. I’m hoping that I didn’t pay twice and will send a pm if two credit charges were processed.
Aug 2, 19, 5:08 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SAV
Programs: DL PM, SPG PLT
Posts: 959
Originally Posted by znke252
Happy to see the links posted, as well as being able to get a ticket. Thanks!
When making the payment via PayPal, my first attempt didn’t seem to go through and I didn’t receive a confirmation email. I tried a second time and everything went smoothly. I’m hoping that I didn’t pay twice and will send a pm if two credit charges were processed.
When making the payment via PayPal, my first attempt didn’t seem to go through and I didn’t receive a confirmation email. I tried a second time and everything went smoothly. I’m hoping that I didn’t pay twice and will send a pm if two credit charges were processed.
Last edited by thehowieee; Aug 2, 19 at 7:36 am
Aug 2, 19, 11:04 am
#14
Flyertalk Evangelist and Moderator: Coupon Connection and Travel Products
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Milton, GA USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Radisson Elite
Posts: 18,941
Originally Posted by thehowieee
Lol. I still haven't registered. I should probably do that, eh?
