Sorry to say that but fares and tricks come to die on FT.

True, but I would argue (and can attest to the fact) that just as many deals are born on FT as are buried here.

To say that FT is the graveyard (my word) of good deals is misguided. Many times it is the FT community that pulls together great fares through the sharing of info.

Only other point I would make is that I think the level of info being provided by RafflesLonghaul and others now is sufficient. I myself don't know how to "trick it" but if I really wanted to execute on an advertised deal, I would read the post posted prior and PM friends and OP's accordingly to see if someone had the time to help out - just as I have helped others out in the past.

FT is a community but it is not a hand out. You have to give to get, IMO.

^

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Raffles - I have always found your posts to be generous, helpful and would agree with wharvey that you are a great assett to FT.

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I have followed this thread and feel compelled to add my thoughts.

I am somewhat new (joined Jan 2009) and have thanked my lucky stars that I came across this site by accident. I have enjoyed coming here every day to catch up with what's going on in the world of FFs, and have learned a lot. I have posted, mostly in the Continental forums, but in a few others too, but as yet don't feel I have enough knowledge to share or offer.

I have spent hours reading the stickies, playing around with ITA and FareCompare, and generally following threads and trying to understand the "codes" and "in-speak". So, certainly, I have put in quite a lot of time to try to figure it all out! But, I will say, I am an "aural/oral" learner, rather than a visual learner, and the way I learn is by talking to people, by sharing thoughts, having people "teach" me and then I "get it". So, in some respects, I can feel for those who need a little hand holding by being given more explicit direction. On the other hand, I am 100% in agreement that information shouldn't just be given out like free candy. After all, when we want rewards, we have to work for them! Just like being employed and gaining a salary. So I sympathise with both sides of the fence.

As I am an aural/oral learner, I put out a request a while ago asking if anyone would like a seminar on learning how to construct a MR, and discovered that VJ runs one from time to time. I know that he is keeping his eye on our thread and once we have enough critical mass, I'm sure he will very graciously offer his time to help out those of us who learn syncrhonously rather than asynchronously (sp?). For that, I am truly grateful and admire his generosity. I made the request not because I want something given to me "for free", but because I want to work with others to learn, to share and to develop new friendships with like-minded folk.


I have done a couple of MRs so far (simple runs, to be sure!! but a start), even met up with a couple of FTers in the PC club in HNL (which was so much fun and so enlightening, as they were two really great guys who were enthusiastic and more than willing to share their knowledge and experience with a newbie). I also met up with some fellow FTers at a dinner in NJ, and loved meeting theses wonderful people who are generous, fun and willing to embrace new members.

I just want to say thank you to people like Raffles and others who so generously give us their knowledge, experience and worldy wisdom. To use a phrase from my teenager: You guys Rock!!

FT is a public website - it's unrealistic to expect that anything of value is not gonna be cross posted, reported or abused in some way. FT owners make money by drawing traffic to the site so it's probably not the best place to keep a secret.

Not sure how what I posted contradicts anything that you have mentioned here.

Well, anyone can come and "get" without "giving" whether we like it or not
It's just most "deals" as we perceive them are of no value to general public (who in the right mind would do a MR even if it's 0.5c/eqm) therefore they last longer.
If anything of real value (say a very cheap fare or a price mistake or an obvious loophole) is published it's gonna get shut down in very short timeframe as the exposure can cost the provider some significant losses.
This was not the case in the past when the site was unknown and the audience limited.

I agree with you that most people of the general public do not find MR deal searching worthwhile. However, I disagree that anyone can come and "get without giving". There is a learning curve where significant time must be devoted to learn the FT lingo, "tricks", search tools, develop relationships to warrant a PM reply, etc. that prohibitively act against those who would be freeloaders / airline insiders.

Often times it is only because of the FT community and collaboration resulting from that community that many mistake fares even become bookable.

All that said, I agree that there are times when people who view this site do things we as members would not necessairly agree with. In those cases, I would say shun the disrespectful members by not replying to PMs and, if necessary, do what is needed to protect the community. For example, create a similar posting rqmt for MR Deals as there is for CC.

Hi, CTOWNFLYER

Since you will not respond to my P.M. I am suggesting you make a pledge not to cross post deals from FT...Some of the other FT members have did just that

If you read through this thread you will see there posts.

I look forward to your post in this thread, so we may restore some confidence..Your actions may help your readers BUT it takes from FTERS..Some FTERS will not post deals because of members crossposting there deals on other sites..Raffles

Here is my thing. I have been a FlyerTalker for some time and have always followed the rules. I don't cross post (indeed, I don't post on any other FF/Fare Deal sites). I don't call to book seats till well after the fare has gone away. I don't even share information with friends and family, other than my fiancee who doesn't share with anyone, and will only book for them if they are going on the trip with me. I think I am pretty trust worthy because of it. Still, I haven't quite been able to figure out the cryptic code which I know is necessary to help preserve these things and need a little help from time to time. Given all of this, I would greatly appreciate a primer/instructions on a specific deal when I PM with questions. Given that the code was removed from the deal lounge thread quite some time ago, I am a bit lost.

Looks like the Dog ripped FT, For their own gain..But it looks like it has backfired this time..
I have seen many fares posted on the dog, as a FARE OF THE DAY which were on FT A DAY OR TWO BEFORE THE DOG POSTED IT ON THEIR SITE..
Will someone from the DOG post here they will not rip fares and other info from FT..

Still lots of tricks out there..

Time for a trickier trick fare thread so DOG will chase its own tail

OR a paid FT forum, that also limits access based on history/referrals.@:-)
I like to think that people are more careful with something they paid for rather than something they got for free.
I can see that as the only way for deals to last longer than OPEN/FREE FOR ALL

Me too. I still see tricks out there. Atleast we will try to save from DOGS...

OK Raffles. Of course you will continue to post some good fares right .

invitation only access and number of years/number of posts would be good.