Nov 11, 13, 1:09 am
Last edit by: JDiver
Getting Started
You'll find a general sitewide Topic Index in the Where to find information about... thread. Otherwise, a variety of specialized resources are listed below.
Trip Planning: Finding the Best Fares, Choosing a Carrier, Best Routes/Connections, etc.
Looking for a "good" fare? There's no magic formula… you just need to search and study and search some more! Here's a list of links to some of FlyerTalkers' most frequently used resources to get you started:
Choosing an Award Program
Combining Points/Miles
Using Credit Cards to Get Miles/Points
Getting the Most Out of FlyerTalk
You'll find a general sitewide Topic Index in the Where to find information about... thread. Otherwise, a variety of specialized resources are listed below.
Trip Planning: Finding the Best Fares, Choosing a Carrier, Best Routes/Connections, etc.
Looking for a "good" fare? There's no magic formula… you just need to search and study and search some more! Here's a list of links to some of FlyerTalkers' most frequently used resources to get you started:
- Online Travel Booking forum sticky: list of online travel agencies, booking engines, aggregators - these are the best places to begin your airfare search if you're new to all this!
- Travel Tools forum sticky: list of online tools, services, software to improve the travel experience
- Budget Travel: this forum's name says it all
- Mileage Run Deals: unusually low cost fares based on a cents-per-mile calculation – be sure to read the stickies before posting (no fare requests permitted)
- Good Deals in Economy: thread for members to share very good coach/economy class fares (no fare requests permitted)
- Premium Class Deals: forum for sharing excellent fares in first and business class (no fare requests permitted)
- Award Booking Services: list of providers that will handle your award bookings for a fee - note that these are awards booked with YOUR miles/points, not award tickets for purchase, trade or barter
- Award Redemption Comparison Tool: determine mileage requirements across various programs
- Mileage/Award Brokers and Trading, Selling, Buying Miles/Points: are they legit?
Choosing an Award Program
- Which Frequent Flyer Program to Join — Q&A advice thread
- QUICK GUIDE: Airline Programs (USA)
- QUICK GUIDE: Airline Alliances
- QUICK GUIDE: Hotel Programs
- Airline Programs Offering Family or Household Mileage Pooling
Combining Points/Miles
- Combining Points and Miles Not usually much value in doing this, but since you ask
Using Credit Cards to Get Miles/Points
- Credit Card Programs: Start Here
- Credit Card Forum Index - in addition to the general credit card forum, there are dedicated forums for discussing programs specific to AmEx, Chase, Citi and Diners Club
- Manufactured Spending - creative ways of using credit cards to maximize program miles/points earning
- Gaining status without flying? Very limited options, but sometimes an EQM boost.
Getting the Most Out of FlyerTalk
- Glossary — abbreviations and acronyms explained (this link also appears at the bottom of every FT page)
- How to Modify Your Profile Details — adding your location and program affiliations helps those who are trying to help you
- Links to Help You Use the Site — see the Wikipost for tools and functions to maximize your FT experience
- Using the Search Feature on FlyerTalk: The Definitive Thread
- Guide to FlyerTalk's flame-free/no-question-too-stupid/newbie threads
- How to add or embed a file or image / photo in a post
RESOURCES: Getting Started, Member Tips, Helpful Links, FAQs, and More
Nov 11, 13, 1:07 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+), now an Elite Peon
Posts: 23,042
RESOURCES: Getting Started, Member Tips, Helpful Links, FAQs, and More
Welcome!
You will find most current list of Information Desk Resource Links in the Wikipost at the top of the page. If the full wiki is not currently displayed at the top of the page, just look for the Wikipost title bar and click or tap the [+] button in the far right corner of the bar to reveal the contents. Click or tap again on the [-] to hide the wiki contents:
This is a member maintained wiki. Any FTer with at least 90 days and 90 posts is invited to edit the above wiki. Please help us grow our resource library by adding any missing links that would be useful to our members.
Thanks for your support!
jackal, scoow, aBroadAbroad and beckoa
The Information Desk Moderation Team
You will find most current list of Information Desk Resource Links in the Wikipost at the top of the page. If the full wiki is not currently displayed at the top of the page, just look for the Wikipost title bar and click or tap the [+] button in the far right corner of the bar to reveal the contents. Click or tap again on the [-] to hide the wiki contents:
This is a member maintained wiki. Any FTer with at least 90 days and 90 posts is invited to edit the above wiki. Please help us grow our resource library by adding any missing links that would be useful to our members.
Thanks for your support!
jackal, scoow, aBroadAbroad and beckoa
The Information Desk Moderation Team
Last edited by beckoa; Mar 26, 15 at 12:10 am
Nov 15, 13, 9:53 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+), now an Elite Peon
Posts: 23,042
Lots of sticky threads in this forum now. That means there are lots of resources to help get you started on your FlyerTalk journey!
Some content is probably duplicated or could be merged into other threads to reduce the number of stickies. Please feel free to post in this thread any suggestions you have on how to better organize the content. Also, please feel free to utilize thread wikiposts (either editing existing ones or creating new ones where applicable) to help organize content.
Your efforts to assist us are appreciated!
Some content is probably duplicated or could be merged into other threads to reduce the number of stickies. Please feel free to post in this thread any suggestions you have on how to better organize the content. Also, please feel free to utilize thread wikiposts (either editing existing ones or creating new ones where applicable) to help organize content.
Your efforts to assist us are appreciated!
Nov 17, 13, 3:47 am
#3
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Coronavirus, Community Buzz, and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,005
Flame-free threads elsewhere on FlyerTalk
The Information Desk forum is a safe and flame-free place for members (especially newer members) to post questions. It is also a good place for questions which do not easily fit in a single forum. However, if you know which forum on FlyerTalk is best suited for your question but don't want unfriendly responses, there are also a number of flame-free threads for program specific questions. They are often labelled "Newbie Lounge" but everybody is welcome to post questions there.
Airline Programs
Aegean Airlines | Miles&Bonus
Flame-Free Questions on A3 - ask your newbie (and not so newbie) questions here
Alaska Airlines | Mileage Plan
2019 Alaska Airlines *FLAME-FREE* Q&A Thread: All Welcome, New and Old!
Alitalia | MilleMiglia
[Newbie Question Thread] Ask your basic questions about Alitalia.
American Airlines | AAdvantage
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...lame-free.html
Avianca | LifeMiles and Amigo
LM Newbie Lounge: Ask your Questions Here (Flame Free)
Cathay Pacific | Asia Miles
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...s-welcome.html
EL AL | Matmid
The EL AL FAQ (Newbie Questions Welcome - Flame Free)
Emirates | Skywards
[EK NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your Questions Here (Flame Free) 2019
Japan Airlines | JAL Mileage Bank
[JAL NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your Questions Here (flame free)
Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, Brussels, LOT and Other Partners | Miles & More
[NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your Lufthansa Group Questions Here [2016-]
Qatar Airways | Privilege Club
[NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask your questions here. Flame free
Thai Airways | Royal Orchid Plus
New to Thai Airways? Please post your questions here
Turkish Airlines | Miles&Smiles
The Newbie Zone: ask your questions here
United Airlines | MileagePlus
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2019]
Global Airline Alliances
oneworld
[NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your Questions Here (flame free)
Hotel Programs
Hyatt | Gold Passport
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyat...lame-free.html
--
If I have left anything out please let me know and I will update the list.
Airline Programs
Aegean Airlines | Miles&Bonus
Flame-Free Questions on A3 - ask your newbie (and not so newbie) questions here
Alaska Airlines | Mileage Plan
2019 Alaska Airlines *FLAME-FREE* Q&A Thread: All Welcome, New and Old!
Alitalia | MilleMiglia
[Newbie Question Thread] Ask your basic questions about Alitalia.
American Airlines | AAdvantage
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...lame-free.html
Avianca | LifeMiles and Amigo
LM Newbie Lounge: Ask your Questions Here (Flame Free)
Cathay Pacific | Asia Miles
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...s-welcome.html
EL AL | Matmid
The EL AL FAQ (Newbie Questions Welcome - Flame Free)
Emirates | Skywards
[EK NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your Questions Here (Flame Free) 2019
Japan Airlines | JAL Mileage Bank
[JAL NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your Questions Here (flame free)
Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, Brussels, LOT and Other Partners | Miles & More
[NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your Lufthansa Group Questions Here [2016-]
Qatar Airways | Privilege Club
[NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask your questions here. Flame free
Thai Airways | Royal Orchid Plus
New to Thai Airways? Please post your questions here
Turkish Airlines | Miles&Smiles
The Newbie Zone: ask your questions here
United Airlines | MileagePlus
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2019]
Global Airline Alliances
oneworld
[NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your Questions Here (flame free)
Hotel Programs
Hyatt | Gold Passport
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyat...lame-free.html
--
If I have left anything out please let me know and I will update the list.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Sep 18, 20 at 3:04 am Reason: Link update
Apr 13, 14, 1:54 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: BKK
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,396
Adding location and program information to your profile
Click or tap one of the MyFlyertalk links that appear at the top of every page:
Click or tap the Edit Your Details link in the control panel that appears on the left side of your screen:
Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your location (airport code, city or country) and program information (if you have status, include that), along with any other details you'd like to share, and click/tap the "Save Changes" button:
You're all set!
Click or tap the Edit Your Details link in the control panel that appears on the left side of your screen:
Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your location (airport code, city or country) and program information (if you have status, include that), along with any other details you'd like to share, and click/tap the "Save Changes" button:
You're all set!
Last edited by aBroadAbroad; Dec 3, 14 at 1:34 pm
Apr 11, 15, 2:01 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: BKK
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,396
Apr 13, 15, 1:56 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: BKK
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,396
Another new information desk resource!
We've added a http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...ion-about.html thread. It includes a wikipost with a topic index to help you figure out where to find information throughout the FlyerTalk site. It's a work in progress, so if you feel there's something missing, please let us know!
Apr 12, 16, 8:53 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 127
Hi, I am new to this blog, found it referenced on CC. I got hooked on it after 48 hours and then was listening to Judge John Hodgman and there was Jesse and Ty (sp?) and cracked up. Now to my questions, I need to know if there is a list of the acronyms used in the posts. I have figured out some on them but need to know what Y and J and F when posters are referring to the aircraft.
Thanks
Thanks
Apr 12, 16, 9:37 pm
#9
Community Director
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 32,820
Jan 3, 17, 7:51 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 76
Taking it to the Next Level & Local User Group
I wouldn't dare say that I have a handle on the basics but I am very curious about how to take it to 'the next level' in terms of building an appreciable (substantial?) miles/points balance and squeezing the most out of them.
Is there a FlyerTalk Local User Group for the Washington DC area? (Didn't see one here.)
Is there a FlyerTalk Local User Group for the Washington DC area? (Didn't see one here.)
Jan 6, 17, 2:34 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+), now an Elite Peon
Posts: 23,042
I wouldn't dare say that I have a handle on the basics but I am very curious about how to take it to 'the next level' in terms of building an appreciable (substantial?) miles/points balance and squeezing the most out of them.
Is there a FlyerTalk Local User Group for the Washington DC area? (Didn't see one here.)
Is there a FlyerTalk Local User Group for the Washington DC area? (Didn't see one here.)
DC people do get together regularly. You'll want to keep an eye on CommunityBuzz for talk about meet-ups and things. There's a very active thread in there called the "DC Happy Hour" thread or similar. It's just people meeting usually for dinner, but meeting people in person is one of the best ways to ask questions and pick up tidbits from knowledgeable people all while having a good time over some good food.
Jul 22, 17, 10:41 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 1
Travel Agent Question
Years ago, a travel agent friend of mine was able to run a search on a friend's name on an international flight and confirm a booking/seat. She placed my seat right next to her as a favor to both of us. If someone has a flight number, is there an interface that a travel agent can use to view the passenger list? Thank you in advance.
