Most unusual ways to earn miles?
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/2MM, DL DM/2MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond,IHG Diamond, Hyatt Globalist,Marriott Titanium
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Most unusual ways to earn miles?
What are some of the more unusual ways to earn frequent flyer miles?
I know there were some Bosley hair and LASIK consultations. Qantas just announced miles for gym memberships. What are some of the other wacky options that have been out there over time (not necessarily still current).
I know there were some Bosley hair and LASIK consultations. Qantas just announced miles for gym memberships. What are some of the other wacky options that have been out there over time (not necessarily still current).
#5
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Join Date: Jan 2005
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http://www.flyertalk.com/pudding.htm
(Many other write-ups about the same story can be found by googling "the pudding guy".)
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
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#7




Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 903
The Pudding Guy earned 1.25 million miles just buying Healthy Choice brand prapackaged pudding (like there was no end in sight) on a promo:
http://www.flyertalk.com/pudding.htm
(Many other write-ups about the same story can be found by googling "the pudding guy".)
http://www.flyertalk.com/pudding.htm
(Many other write-ups about the same story can be found by googling "the pudding guy".)
#8




Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mountains of western NC
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#9
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
Most unusual ways to earn miles?
Accor had a promotion last year, earn 10,000 points each time you stay at any Accor property worldwide.
10,000 Accor= 10,000 Iberia avios.
1 night in Bangkok= $30
Had a friend stay at various Bangkok Accor properties 25+ nights :-)
10,000 Accor= 10,000 Iberia avios.
1 night in Bangkok= $30
Had a friend stay at various Bangkok Accor properties 25+ nights :-)
#10
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Join Date: Jan 2005
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Posts: 26,113
Everybody missed it in that sense. Ie, The Pudding Guy is famous because he's the only one who took advantage of that promo to that degree. That promo was avialable to many other people at the same time (years ago), but no one else thought to take it to that extreme. Most people just bought the amount of pudding they needed for themselves. But it wouldn't have become a famous promo "for all eternity" had The Pudding Guy not taken it to that extreme.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,167
Everybody missed it in that sense. Ie, The Pudding Guy is famous because he's the only one who took advantage of that promo to that degree. That promo was avialable to many other people at the same time (years ago), but no one else thought to take it to that extreme. Most people just bought the amount of pudding they needed for themselves. But it wouldn't have become a famous promo "for all eternity" had The Pudding Guy not taken it to that extreme.
#13
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: ca
Posts: 62
Just did a tour of Old San Juan, PR with a large group. Spend $500.00 or more with Viator (tour arranged through them) and get one mile per $ spent. Miles have not posted yet. The website says 4-6 weeks to post. http://www.viator.com/earn-miles
They credit to United or Americans FF program.
Riding a Segway for miles works as my most unusual so far.
They credit to United or Americans FF program.
Riding a Segway for miles works as my most unusual so far.
Last edited by dphmicn; Aug 13, 2015 at 9:03 pm Reason: added info; added website
#14


Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Posts: 3,064
I think going in for a Bosley consultation is up there...Bosley is the company that promises to get you hair on your bald head. I forgot how many miles it was for, 20k? Full disclosure: I still have a FULL body of hair on my head
Ever since I get snail mail from Bosley!
Dumpster diving at Wendy's also comes to mind too.
Oh, in a Blues Angels air show the place was full of Coke caps, back in the day when the Coke rewards points were useful...Me and son went to work and left with full bags...not saying how many to preserve my stellar reputation lol.
I also got some miles for giving Northwest a suggestion to fix the darn oxygen mask mechanism to deploy properly as I was the only one without it while everyone else was screaming and breathing it in on a flight somewhere over the ocean from Tokyo to Detroit...I could go on...
Ever since I get snail mail from Bosley! Dumpster diving at Wendy's also comes to mind too.
Oh, in a Blues Angels air show the place was full of Coke caps, back in the day when the Coke rewards points were useful...Me and son went to work and left with full bags...not saying how many to preserve my stellar reputation lol.
I also got some miles for giving Northwest a suggestion to fix the darn oxygen mask mechanism to deploy properly as I was the only one without it while everyone else was screaming and breathing it in on a flight somewhere over the ocean from Tokyo to Detroit...I could go on...
#15

Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SW Colorado
Programs: UAL Silver Hilton Diamond Hyatt Plat
Posts: 164
Booking my cruising activity thru airlines vacation/cruise portal. Normally would book directly with company but thru MP portal I usually get between 3-5 additional miles per dollar spent. Book with premium CC gets me an additional 1.5 miles. Price is competitive and even guaranteed so I feel good getting between 24,000-40,000 air miles per cruise. Helps with the Business Award tix I use to fly to/from.

