Article from todays WSJ
Jan 20, 2000 | 10:27 am
#1
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Article from todays WSJ
I don't think these people have any idea about the things people will do for miles (puddingguy comes quickly to mind!)...
Some Fliers Go the Distance
To Earn Bonus Flight Miles
By BARBARA BOYDSTON
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL INTERACTIVE EDITION
When many of the major airlines decided to end the expiration of frequent-flier mileage last year, some business travelers rejoiced. Others yawned.
Frequent fliers vary wildly in their attitudes about frequent-flier miles. Some are committed to squeezing mileage out of every conceivable activity, earning miles while buying groceries, trading stocks or getting a car wash. Others can't be bothered and let their miles languish, failing to even check the balances.
It's analogous to coupon clipping. Either you're obsessively proactive, or you consider it a complete waste of time. Here, readers share the category into which they fall.
Will Eat for Miles: Ron Karlosky says his friends tease him because he'll do just about anything for more points and frequent-flier miles. "Last fall, I earned enough points with TGI Fridays for a free ticket," says Mr. Karlosky, owner of iGuest.net, an Internet consulting and Web-design firm. He also only flies United, so he can keep all his miles on one program. And he uses MCI WorldCom's long-distance service so he can earn extra Mileage Plus miles.
Lost Opportunities: Christopher Barber, an engineer at Mitre Corp. who belongs to six mileage clubs, says he is "too lazy" to take full advantage of mileage opportunities by using credit cards to build miles or by booking online. "I get enough mileage through business travel to satisfy my usual needs," which include upgrades and extra miles for visiting friends. But, he adds, booking blocks of flights at the same time is something he'd consider as a cost-saver.
Maximum Mileage: Craig S. Dooley, director of marketing at an online customer-loyalty consultancy, is a good example of how business travelers can maximize mileage programs. "I book 90% of my flights through ual.com (www.ual.com), mainly motivated by the 500-miles-per-segment bonus," says Mr. Dooley. His online booking has paid off. "I cashed in over 200,000 miles in 1999." His level is high enough that he now gets double mileage credit on every trip.
It Is Better to Give: "Every member of my family belongs to at least four frequent-flier clubs," says Virginia Hammell, an auditor at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Sometimes she donates extra miles to her church's mission work in Central America. "It seems a better use than using 30,000 for a short-haul domestic ticket." Ms. Hammell adds that she hates booking online. "I believe in hiring professionals. I don't do my own dentistry either nor do I fix my own car ... why would I worry about saving $25 if my travel agent is at the ready to help travel more comfortably?"
First Class or No Class "I very seldom use my mileage," says Bill Evans, president of a manufacturing and operations consulting firm. "Travel is not exciting to me anymore and when I am off I am not looking to travel." However, once his mileage levels hit the first-class award level, Mr. Evans does use them, he adds.
Write to Barbara Boydston at [email protected]
Some Fliers Go the Distance
To Earn Bonus Flight Miles
By BARBARA BOYDSTON
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL INTERACTIVE EDITION
When many of the major airlines decided to end the expiration of frequent-flier mileage last year, some business travelers rejoiced. Others yawned.
Frequent fliers vary wildly in their attitudes about frequent-flier miles. Some are committed to squeezing mileage out of every conceivable activity, earning miles while buying groceries, trading stocks or getting a car wash. Others can't be bothered and let their miles languish, failing to even check the balances.
It's analogous to coupon clipping. Either you're obsessively proactive, or you consider it a complete waste of time. Here, readers share the category into which they fall.
Will Eat for Miles: Ron Karlosky says his friends tease him because he'll do just about anything for more points and frequent-flier miles. "Last fall, I earned enough points with TGI Fridays for a free ticket," says Mr. Karlosky, owner of iGuest.net, an Internet consulting and Web-design firm. He also only flies United, so he can keep all his miles on one program. And he uses MCI WorldCom's long-distance service so he can earn extra Mileage Plus miles.
Lost Opportunities: Christopher Barber, an engineer at Mitre Corp. who belongs to six mileage clubs, says he is "too lazy" to take full advantage of mileage opportunities by using credit cards to build miles or by booking online. "I get enough mileage through business travel to satisfy my usual needs," which include upgrades and extra miles for visiting friends. But, he adds, booking blocks of flights at the same time is something he'd consider as a cost-saver.
Maximum Mileage: Craig S. Dooley, director of marketing at an online customer-loyalty consultancy, is a good example of how business travelers can maximize mileage programs. "I book 90% of my flights through ual.com (www.ual.com), mainly motivated by the 500-miles-per-segment bonus," says Mr. Dooley. His online booking has paid off. "I cashed in over 200,000 miles in 1999." His level is high enough that he now gets double mileage credit on every trip.
It Is Better to Give: "Every member of my family belongs to at least four frequent-flier clubs," says Virginia Hammell, an auditor at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Sometimes she donates extra miles to her church's mission work in Central America. "It seems a better use than using 30,000 for a short-haul domestic ticket." Ms. Hammell adds that she hates booking online. "I believe in hiring professionals. I don't do my own dentistry either nor do I fix my own car ... why would I worry about saving $25 if my travel agent is at the ready to help travel more comfortably?"
First Class or No Class "I very seldom use my mileage," says Bill Evans, president of a manufacturing and operations consulting firm. "Travel is not exciting to me anymore and when I am off I am not looking to travel." However, once his mileage levels hit the first-class award level, Mr. Evans does use them, he adds.
Write to Barbara Boydston at [email protected]
Jan 20, 2000 | 6:02 pm
#4
Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Washington, DC
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Uh oh, I think the only way to access that article will be if you pay for a membership to wsj.com. Darn, I wanted to read it...
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Addicted to airline miles? Check out: The Airline Mileage Workshop
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Addicted to airline miles? Check out: The Airline Mileage Workshop
Jan 21, 2000 | 4:11 pm
#5
Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 14,291
Did the article by Jane Costello publish today? If so, could somebody email me a copy?
------------------
Addicted to airline miles? Check out: The Airline Mileage Workshop
------------------
Addicted to airline miles? Check out: The Airline Mileage Workshop
