Ben Schlappig - miles/mattress running.
Dec 19, 2011, 10:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New Zealand
Programs: Asiana Silver (2012), AirNZ Jade
Posts: 316
Ben Schlappig - miles/mattress running.
Hi, just bumped into this guy with a video online.
He stays at cheapish area hotels of a supported hotel to rack up nights and does the same with flights - he goes from West US to East.
That's fine but I thought the discounted flights are not eligible for points and ditto for hotels. Could someone enlighten me?
Cheers.
He stays at cheapish area hotels of a supported hotel to rack up nights and does the same with flights - he goes from West US to East.
That's fine but I thought the discounted flights are not eligible for points and ditto for hotels. Could someone enlighten me?
Cheers.
Dec 20, 2011, 12:34 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Purgatory
Programs: Too many to list. Status is a half dozen.
Posts: 9,235
You refer to Lucky. Of FlyerTalk and One Mile at a Time blog fame. 
Almost all fares earn airline miles, at least in the program that matches the airline. There are some exceptions.
Most hotel rates also qualify - but typically only when booked on the hotel's website. Not via Expedia, Travelocity, et al. (Note this does not apply to flights but only hotels). Again, there are some exceptions here and there.
The trick is to use a number of online tools and combine it with the knowledge gained here, another well known frequent flyer forum and various members' blogs to find the lowest price that earns the most points and miles. Then use those miles in the best way possible to meet your needs (family travel, international business/first class, domestic travel, or upgrades all depending upon your goals).
The topic is too broad to offer much more detail but if you have specific questions we can point you to the correct forum or thread with the answers or if simple enough, answer directly in this thread.
Also, welcome to FlyerTalk!
Almost all fares earn airline miles, at least in the program that matches the airline. There are some exceptions.
Most hotel rates also qualify - but typically only when booked on the hotel's website. Not via Expedia, Travelocity, et al. (Note this does not apply to flights but only hotels). Again, there are some exceptions here and there.
The trick is to use a number of online tools and combine it with the knowledge gained here, another well known frequent flyer forum and various members' blogs to find the lowest price that earns the most points and miles. Then use those miles in the best way possible to meet your needs (family travel, international business/first class, domestic travel, or upgrades all depending upon your goals).
The topic is too broad to offer much more detail but if you have specific questions we can point you to the correct forum or thread with the answers or if simple enough, answer directly in this thread.
Also, welcome to FlyerTalk!
Dec 20, 2011, 4:41 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New Zealand
Programs: Asiana Silver (2012), AirNZ Jade
Posts: 316
Referring to this table I am assuming it falls in the no credit category (?) ...
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,8566,3122,00.html
Also this webpage I found:
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/unroad...leage-accrual/
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,8566,3122,00.html
Also this webpage I found:
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/unroad...leage-accrual/
Dec 20, 2011, 2:33 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New Zealand
Programs: Asiana Silver (2012), AirNZ Jade
Posts: 316
Much thanks for that
In terms of crediting mileage for discounted tickets:
Generally speaking, is this an exception with UA? Or does the airline normally do this with their own FF programme?
Secondly, that Ben guy said he hunts for $250US tickets travelling East to West. I am not from the US, so just talking hypothetically here - would not $250US be a waste of money to simply travel to rack up points and not enjoy the travel experience and I guess one cannot do that unless you are well off with the accom expenses and living costs too often. He says 7,500miles travelled. That's not a huge amount right and that UA has decreased the 100% bonus to 50% I think for 2012.
Edit. Yah. I am from New Zealand so I generally use Asian carriers unless I am heading to or thru the USA. And b/c the seldom nature I probably just wouldn't belong with a USA FF programme. Coming from that point of view, it was news to me that USA cheap flights gets 100% points. Even a AirNZ programme with AirNZ - the really discounted seats even for INTL gets absolutely "zero" points but do get minor status points.
In terms of crediting mileage for discounted tickets:
Generally speaking, is this an exception with UA? Or does the airline normally do this with their own FF programme?
Secondly, that Ben guy said he hunts for $250US tickets travelling East to West. I am not from the US, so just talking hypothetically here - would not $250US be a waste of money to simply travel to rack up points and not enjoy the travel experience and I guess one cannot do that unless you are well off with the accom expenses and living costs too often. He says 7,500miles travelled. That's not a huge amount right and that UA has decreased the 100% bonus to 50% I think for 2012.
Edit. Yah. I am from New Zealand so I generally use Asian carriers unless I am heading to or thru the USA. And b/c the seldom nature I probably just wouldn't belong with a USA FF programme. Coming from that point of view, it was news to me that USA cheap flights gets 100% points. Even a AirNZ programme with AirNZ - the really discounted seats even for INTL gets absolutely "zero" points but do get minor status points.
Last edited by rayonline; Dec 20, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Dec 20, 2011, 3:44 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2010
Location: BNA
Programs: No preference
Posts: 1,176
The purpose isn't to accrew miles (primarily). It helps him retain his elite status and he gets the occasional voucher for getting bumped. He doesn't do this too much anymore though due to his new business. I would suggest reading up on the thread here for new members.
Much thanks for that
In terms of crediting mileage for discounted tickets:
Generally speaking, is this an exception with UA? Or does the airline normally do this with their own FF programme?
Secondly, that Ben guy said he hunts for $250US tickets travelling East to West. I am not from the US, so just talking hypothetically here - would not $250US be a waste of money to simply travel to rack up points and not enjoy the travel experience and I guess one cannot do that unless you are well off with the accom expenses and living costs too often. He says 7,500miles travelled. That's not a huge amount right and that UA has decreased the 100% bonus to 50% I think for 2012.
Edit. Yah. I am from New Zealand so I generally use Asian carriers unless I am heading to or thru the USA. And b/c the seldom nature I probably just wouldn't belong with a USA FF programme. Coming from that point of view, it was news to me that USA cheap flights gets 100% points. Even a AirNZ programme with AirNZ - the really discounted seats even for INTL gets absolutely "zero" points but do get minor status points.
In terms of crediting mileage for discounted tickets:
Generally speaking, is this an exception with UA? Or does the airline normally do this with their own FF programme?
Secondly, that Ben guy said he hunts for $250US tickets travelling East to West. I am not from the US, so just talking hypothetically here - would not $250US be a waste of money to simply travel to rack up points and not enjoy the travel experience and I guess one cannot do that unless you are well off with the accom expenses and living costs too often. He says 7,500miles travelled. That's not a huge amount right and that UA has decreased the 100% bonus to 50% I think for 2012.
Edit. Yah. I am from New Zealand so I generally use Asian carriers unless I am heading to or thru the USA. And b/c the seldom nature I probably just wouldn't belong with a USA FF programme. Coming from that point of view, it was news to me that USA cheap flights gets 100% points. Even a AirNZ programme with AirNZ - the really discounted seats even for INTL gets absolutely "zero" points but do get minor status points.
Dec 20, 2011, 4:40 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Northwest NJ
Programs: Starwood Platinum,Marriott Platinum, United Silver
Posts: 2,313
And if you're doing it to RETAIN high-level status, there can be a decent chance that the low-cost transcontinental coach seat could get upgraded to the front of the plane.
Feb 10, 2012, 12:34 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
The purpose isn't to accrew miles (primarily). It helps him retain his elite status and he gets the occasional voucher for getting bumped. He doesn't do this too much anymore though due to his new business. I would suggest reading up on the thread here for new members.