Hello, I'm new, and need tips
May 3, 2012 | 8:58 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: HA, DL, UA, PC Gold, A/club Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Pl
Posts: 1,461
May 4, 2012 | 1:35 am
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
Hello,
I have been flying with Delta for years. I have a Suntrust debit card, and only have a delta account. I do not own a credit card, and when staying at hotels, I always stay at Starwood because I am an employee at a Westin, so I can get highly discounted rates (but don't get SPG points). I currently have only 35,000 miles. I just graduated, and have a job, but don't have tons of money to spend on. I know I can get credit cards to earn miles, but I was wondering about some other tips than that would be useful. I recently have been reading The Points Guy blog, but wanted to get some other input. I am trying to get 50K so I can take a friend who will be getting out of the Military to Montreal. If I could get 140K miles, I would love to get two tickets to Japan, but I know that would take forever. I prefer Delta, but I really want to get as many points as possible, as quickly as possible. I just recently created a separate Delta account, and will transfer miles between the two accounts if a 100% transfer bonus ever comes up, but you never know when that happens. Any help would be appreciated. I have browed through, and couldn't believe how many miles people have. I love traveling, and love finding deals.
Eric
I have been flying with Delta for years. I have a Suntrust debit card, and only have a delta account. I do not own a credit card, and when staying at hotels, I always stay at Starwood because I am an employee at a Westin, so I can get highly discounted rates (but don't get SPG points). I currently have only 35,000 miles. I just graduated, and have a job, but don't have tons of money to spend on. I know I can get credit cards to earn miles, but I was wondering about some other tips than that would be useful. I recently have been reading The Points Guy blog, but wanted to get some other input. I am trying to get 50K so I can take a friend who will be getting out of the Military to Montreal. If I could get 140K miles, I would love to get two tickets to Japan, but I know that would take forever. I prefer Delta, but I really want to get as many points as possible, as quickly as possible. I just recently created a separate Delta account, and will transfer miles between the two accounts if a 100% transfer bonus ever comes up, but you never know when that happens. Any help would be appreciated. I have browed through, and couldn't believe how many miles people have. I love traveling, and love finding deals.
Eric
May 4, 2012 | 4:44 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Atlanta, ga
Posts: 202
As for my dads account I never said I was linked to it, or had anything to do with it. As for another account, Why can't you have one with a email you created, and use your friends information? It's not in your name, you just have access to it. And when Delta has the transfer miles get 100% free, it sometimes is a good deal. You pay about $360 for getting an extra 30,000 miles. If I wanted to take a trip to Montreal from Atlanta on Delta, a ticket costs double that.
May 4, 2012 | 12:39 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: American, United
Posts: 24
I'm fairly new as well but am learning quickly.
I am personally staying away from credit cards because I am young, have student loans, and don't want to bother messing anything up accidentally (even though many people say I won't).
I am currently a member of AAdvantage as my primary mile
account and Delta and United as secondary accounts. I'm learning that you can earn a good chunk of miles at a time (1000-5000) by doing promo deals. I know they aren't large sums but slowly but surely, you'll end up with some solid mileage.
I signed up on TravelHacking.org ($1 for a 14 day trial, $15/month after that) to have automatic deal/promotion updates. He walks you through a lot of the details of "travel hacking"/flying with miles step-by-step. And you can always cancel your account if you feel like you've learned enough in 14 days. But keep in mind he actually offers a guarantee: earn 25,000 miles in 3 months (100,000 a year) or he'll compensate you. He also doesn't push you into credit cards. He agrees that they are a good way to get tons of miles fast but realizes that those deals aren't for everyone.
Happy Travels!
I am personally staying away from credit cards because I am young, have student loans, and don't want to bother messing anything up accidentally (even though many people say I won't).
I am currently a member of AAdvantage as my primary mile
account and Delta and United as secondary accounts. I'm learning that you can earn a good chunk of miles at a time (1000-5000) by doing promo deals. I know they aren't large sums but slowly but surely, you'll end up with some solid mileage.
I signed up on TravelHacking.org ($1 for a 14 day trial, $15/month after that) to have automatic deal/promotion updates. He walks you through a lot of the details of "travel hacking"/flying with miles step-by-step. And you can always cancel your account if you feel like you've learned enough in 14 days. But keep in mind he actually offers a guarantee: earn 25,000 miles in 3 months (100,000 a year) or he'll compensate you. He also doesn't push you into credit cards. He agrees that they are a good way to get tons of miles fast but realizes that those deals aren't for everyone.
Happy Travels!