There's a new survey opportunity on the MyPoints site where they're seeking input on the possibility of offering free ISP services. It's pretty simple and you get 25 MyPoints added to your account for completing it.

For those of us who are scratching to reach one of their Frequent Flyer Mile awards, every 25 points helps!

On the MyPoints site first click "Earn Points" and then click "Take Surveys". Finally click on and then take this newest survey.

TravelDave

Thanks for the tip. I, myself, am going after the HHonors points and every little bit does help.

Which brings me to a question. I have been letting my points build up although I could be cashing in 1,000 for 1,000 Hilton HHonors points as I earn them. Is this a good policy or not? On the pro side, if MyPoints suddenly offers something better, I will still have my points. However, on the con side, if MyPoints disappears, my balance could be meaningless. Anybody have any thoughts on this??

[This message has been edited by TravelWeary (edited 10-14-1999).]

I recently cashed in 20,000 Mypoints for Honors points because of a disturbing D&B report that landed on my desk one day. Someone was doing a credit report for MyPoints and they had nothing at all nice to say about the company. Seems all suppliers were reporting them as delinquent on their terms and that they had a negative operating capital. I know credit reports can be wrong but D&B is a pretty reputable firm. I cashed in my chips and will now cash them in every 1,000 points so I don't end up being a big loser!!

mhorst ~ When was that research done? MyPoints recently went public, meaning they are probably much more flush with cash now than they were just a few months ago, and since the insiders can't cash out for a few more months, they're not going anywhere quite yet I would bet.

Your right TravelDave--every little bit helps, I am on my way over right now.

Thanks, TravelDave. I had stopped looking on the Take Surveys section because there was never anything there, except the reminder that I had already received 75 points for taking the opening survey.
TravelWeary, I've only acquired 1825 points so far and I've been at this for 1-1/2 months. Earning capability is painfully slow unless you purchase something. So with my first 1,000 I transferred it immediately to Hilton. As soon as I reach the next 1000, I'll transfer them to Hilton, too, instead of waiting.
I don't get the feeling that MyPoints is doing too well. It's just from my dealings with them. Slow to post points, long waits until I hear from the membercare team. They just don't seem to be on the ball.

Beckles-
The D&B report was pulled yesterday and was updated at the beginning of this year. Also their stock on the market has taken a considerable nosedive for the last while. I am concerned enough to cash in and will continue to do so with every 1000 points I can still get.

Yes! After thinking about it further, I went today and cashed in several thousand MyPoints just to be on the safe side. I was surprised to get a response saying it would be only 8 to 10 days for HHonors points to post. Can it really be that fast?

I've been extremely pleased with recent responses from MyPoints Member Care. If they couldn't answer a question immediately or needed to research an issue, they'd send me an apology note letting me know I'd be hearing from them as soon as they had the answer. In any event the initial response (which in most cases was the answer I needed) came in less than 12 hours. Also, they've added a very helpful feature to their responses: an individualized link to a third-party customer service survey. The best service is provided by organizations who never assume they're doing a great job but pay outsiders to help measure their success.

Dear Nanook

Your rate of Mypoints accrual seems a bit low. Here's a few tips that will help accellerate your Mypoints accrual.

1. Join Xoompoints at www.xoompoints.com - this program is almost identical to Mypoints and holds out the promise, albeit at a slower rate, of extra points which you could convert to another airlines points/miles.

2. Visit www.talkcity.com and get 200 points weekly for answering the 20 survey questions there. That's 10,400 or so points per year.

3. Keep all your bonusmail and at regular intervals click all the links again - some are 7 days, some 30 days, some 365 days

4. Click both the yes AND no links on your bonusmail

5. Check out the points offers at Mypoints for trying things out. There are many free services that give you 100 points for signing up

6. Do the 25 points survey in the Mypoints survey section currently

7. Click everything that looks remotely like a point earning link again on January 1 2000

8. Check your profile at Mypoints and select all the categories that you can say you have an interest in. More categories = more bonusmail = more points presumably

One final tip - in my humble opinion one of the best conversions of poinst for miles is the 20,000 points for 25,000 vacationmiles whcih can in turn be converted to 25,000 American Airlines miles.

Visit the AA site and if not a member join up. Then go to the redemption area and study the various awards available for use on various partner airlines. There are some gems in there.

Hope this helps

cheers Peter

FYI:
My points, with over 4.1 million memebrs, just increased email markerting ($0.29/per piece) and direct internet based 9$0.70/per click) ad rates, citing very strong demand for its products.

Well, it looks as if this survey was up for just a brief time as it's gone from the MyPoints site now. It did work when it was up and running as my account did get credited. Hope they do another new survey soon.

TravelDave

I've about had it with MyPoints. The service is terrible! Points are constantly not posted. I e-mailed their customer service twice about an account problem when I log on. Got two responses telling me someone would get back to me in a week. Nothing. I now have to refresh my member key every time I log in to ensure I am recognized.

I've started keeping a list of all offers/links I am supposed to be getting points with. Its a real pain. I have 600 points they owe me from over two weeks ago. We'll see if they ever show up.