When do we cross the line?
Nov 7, 2007 | 4:48 pm
#46
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,445
When you realize that you're booked solid nearly every weekend (all but 3) between now and the middle of next March on Q-UP and Mistake Fares to various destinations:
MIA-ORD-HNL-DEN-SAT (Q-UP)
LAX-SEA-DEN-CVG-DEN-SEA-LAX (Q-UP)
SFO-SYD-AKL-SYD-SFO (Mistake)
EZE-JFK-EZE (Mistake)
IAH-SLC-ATL-MSY-ATL-SLC-IAH (Q-UP)
DFW-ATL-SEA-ATL-DFW (Mistake Q-UP)
OSL-SVO-HKG (Mistake)
+ More
Also, when you start looking forward to three-day weekends so you can nab a cheap one-way out to TPE on BR just to catch a cheap one-way F flight back to rack up ridiculous piles of *A miles (whilst crediting the BR to SkyTeam, of course), all without having to take any vacation time from work...
MIA-ORD-HNL-DEN-SAT (Q-UP)
LAX-SEA-DEN-CVG-DEN-SEA-LAX (Q-UP)
SFO-SYD-AKL-SYD-SFO (Mistake)
EZE-JFK-EZE (Mistake)
IAH-SLC-ATL-MSY-ATL-SLC-IAH (Q-UP)
DFW-ATL-SEA-ATL-DFW (Mistake Q-UP)
OSL-SVO-HKG (Mistake)
+ More
Also, when you start looking forward to three-day weekends so you can nab a cheap one-way out to TPE on BR just to catch a cheap one-way F flight back to rack up ridiculous piles of *A miles (whilst crediting the BR to SkyTeam, of course), all without having to take any vacation time from work...
Nov 10, 2007 | 12:40 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 10,062
Nov 10, 2007 | 5:43 am
#49
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: NJ
Programs: UA LTG, AA LTG, Bonvoy LTP, LHW Sterling
Posts: 2,604
If you do the mileage thing for fun and/or hobby, then I’m not sure there really is a line. If you lie, cheat, and steal to get miles... then you have crossed a line.
Last edited by schriste; Nov 10, 2007 at 6:03 am
Nov 10, 2007 | 8:43 am
#50
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: New Berlin, WI, USA
Posts: 4,101
How about getting on good enough terms with a waitress at a local IDine restaurant that she brings checks that are paid with cash by other patrons to you so you can put them on one of your 7 Rewards Network credit cards (or if you are over $600 worth of charges at the restaurant on all of the accounts for the month, one of your wife's 7 accounts?)
Nov 10, 2007 | 9:14 am
#51
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SEA/YVR/BLI
Programs: UA "Lifetime" Gold, AS Titanium, OW Emerald, HH Lifetime Diamond, IC Plat, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 9,583
Some of you are exhibiting extremely abnormal behavior.
Mrs. Fredd and I make at least 2% less effort than several posters here to acquire our miles and hotel stays so your confessions reassure us that we're completely normal!
Seriously, great thread OP. ^
Mrs. Fredd and I make at least 2% less effort than several posters here to acquire our miles and hotel stays so your confessions reassure us that we're completely normal!
Seriously, great thread OP. ^
Nov 10, 2007 | 9:16 am
#52
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Seattle
Programs: Ephesians 4:31-32
Posts: 10,690
^That's priceless Cornroaster.
We currently own a business where we have to buy a lot of stuff--on a mileage earning credit card, of course.
We are thinking of selling the business and retiring, but maybe we should just find a hot shot manager and hold on to the business, just for the miles.
We currently own a business where we have to buy a lot of stuff--on a mileage earning credit card, of course.
We are thinking of selling the business and retiring, but maybe we should just find a hot shot manager and hold on to the business, just for the miles.
Nov 10, 2007 | 11:15 am
#54
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 226
OK, a newby here but I find this thread hiarious! Mostly because I'm guilty of almost everything I've seen here!
Cornroaster, I have to admit I've never even thought of the waitress gambit. Very creative! I don't know how the owners of those restaurants would feel about it but...:
I'll give that one some thought.
Here's one that I didn't see in this thread although I'm sure it's pretty prevelent: I'm currently single. It's odd how, when I meet a potential date, the conversation always gets around to, "do you like to travel?" "Are you in any rewards programs?" "How many points/miles do you have?" All the while thinking, how do those programs match up with mine and are they 'blendable'.
And, just to let you know, I spend about 40 weeks a year on the road for a major hotel company---one that has a sizeable rewards program. Unfortunately, as such, I don't qualify for their program. The result is that I usually stay at competeing hotels so that I get the perks that come with being in those programs' higher echelons. Try getting that past T & E approvers!
I have to admit though, so far they've been great and understand that life on the road is a grind and all they say is that their OK with it as long as I'm comfortable and it allows me to do my job to the maximum of my ability. Pretty cool, IMO.
Cornroaster, I have to admit I've never even thought of the waitress gambit. Very creative! I don't know how the owners of those restaurants would feel about it but...:
I'll give that one some thought.Here's one that I didn't see in this thread although I'm sure it's pretty prevelent: I'm currently single. It's odd how, when I meet a potential date, the conversation always gets around to, "do you like to travel?" "Are you in any rewards programs?" "How many points/miles do you have?" All the while thinking, how do those programs match up with mine and are they 'blendable'.
And, just to let you know, I spend about 40 weeks a year on the road for a major hotel company---one that has a sizeable rewards program. Unfortunately, as such, I don't qualify for their program. The result is that I usually stay at competeing hotels so that I get the perks that come with being in those programs' higher echelons. Try getting that past T & E approvers!
I have to admit though, so far they've been great and understand that life on the road is a grind and all they say is that their OK with it as long as I'm comfortable and it allows me to do my job to the maximum of my ability. Pretty cool, IMO.
Nov 10, 2007 | 7:54 pm
#55
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: (not Montana. Nor is my name really Helena, nor am I female)
Programs: Delta, USAirways, Starwood, Priority Club, Marriott, Amex
Posts: 2,557
And, just to let you know, I spend about 40 weeks a year on the road for a major hotel company---one that has a sizeable rewards program. Unfortunately, as such, I don't qualify for their program. The result is that I usually stay at competeing hotels so that I get the perks that come with being in those programs' higher echelons. Try getting that past T & E approvers! I have to admit though, so far they've been great and understand that life on the road is a grind and all they say is that their OK with it as long as I'm comfortable and it allows me to do my job to the maximum of my ability. Pretty cool, IMO.
I have to admit though, so far they've been great and understand that life on the road is a grind and all they say is that their OK with it as long as I'm comfortable and it allows me to do my job to the maximum of my ability. Pretty cool, IMO.And welcome to Flyertalk, camargo.
Nov 10, 2007 | 8:25 pm
#56
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: New Berlin, WI, USA
Posts: 4,101
OK, a newby here but I find this thread hiarious! Mostly because I'm guilty of almost everything I've seen here!
Cornroaster, I have to admit I've never even thought of the waitress gambit. Very creative! I don't know how the owners of those restaurants would feel about it but...: I'll give that one some thought.
Here's one that I didn't see in this thread although I'm sure it's pretty prevelent: I'm currently single. It's odd how, when I meet a potential date, the conversation always gets around to, "do you like to travel?" "Are you in any rewards programs?" "How many points/miles do you have?" All the while thinking, how do those programs match up with mine and are they 'blendable'.
And, just to let you know, I spend about 40 weeks a year on the road for a major hotel company---one that has a sizeable rewards program. Unfortunately, as such, I don't qualify for their program. The result is that I usually stay at competeing hotels so that I get the perks that come with being in those programs' higher echelons. Try getting that past T & E approvers! I have to admit though, so far they've been great and understand that life on the road is a grind and all they say is that their OK with it as long as I'm comfortable and it allows me to do my job to the maximum of my ability. Pretty cool, IMO.
Cornroaster, I have to admit I've never even thought of the waitress gambit. Very creative! I don't know how the owners of those restaurants would feel about it but...:
I'll give that one some thought.Here's one that I didn't see in this thread although I'm sure it's pretty prevelent: I'm currently single. It's odd how, when I meet a potential date, the conversation always gets around to, "do you like to travel?" "Are you in any rewards programs?" "How many points/miles do you have?" All the while thinking, how do those programs match up with mine and are they 'blendable'.
And, just to let you know, I spend about 40 weeks a year on the road for a major hotel company---one that has a sizeable rewards program. Unfortunately, as such, I don't qualify for their program. The result is that I usually stay at competeing hotels so that I get the perks that come with being in those programs' higher echelons. Try getting that past T & E approvers!
I have to admit though, so far they've been great and understand that life on the road is a grind and all they say is that their OK with it as long as I'm comfortable and it allows me to do my job to the maximum of my ability. Pretty cool, IMO.
Dec 10, 2007 | 12:35 am
#57
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: HH LifeTime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, Hyatt, Delta, SW, IHG
Posts: 482
After one stay at the Cavalieri Hilton, my DH is now EAGER to hotel hop. FlyerTalk convinced me of the wisdom, but he had to see it to believe it. Ahhh, ye of little faith...
Dec 10, 2007 | 12:01 pm
#58
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: HYX
Programs: ~IHG(p)/BW~Nat'l.Exec~ ~NW(SE)~ ~Cessna~ NASM.do-07 ~AAAF.do-05/06/07/08/09
Posts: 1,530
QUOTE=camargo " .. I have to admit I've never even thought of the waitress gambit. "
You're not alone, apparently -- Saturday nite at the WAS-minido, hardly anyone paid attention when GrizShel took charge of collecting for the cumulative bar-tab ~ until he pocketed the wad of cash & pulled out his Marriott card.
The :smackforehead: looks around the table was Priceless
-
Oh yeah .. I'm guilty of mattress AND car-rental hopping in MCO SFO & OGG !
/.
You're not alone, apparently -- Saturday nite at the WAS-minido, hardly anyone paid attention when GrizShel took charge of collecting for the cumulative bar-tab ~ until he pocketed the wad of cash & pulled out his Marriott card.
The :smackforehead: looks around the table was Priceless
-
Oh yeah .. I'm guilty of mattress AND car-rental hopping in MCO SFO & OGG !
/.
Last edited by CaveatEmpty; Dec 10, 2007 at 12:11 pm Reason: plea agreement
Dec 26, 2007 | 12:07 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Under an ORD approach path
Programs: DL PM, MM. Coffee isn't a drug, it's a vitamin.
Posts: 12,935
Dec 27, 2007 | 9:04 am
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,684
The other sign you are in full blown addict mode is when you consider vacation destinations by EQMs.
My wife and I got $300 certs from a trip this past May. Before I considered where to go, I checked both our EQMs for the year. Her's were more important, because she won't MR. We were both a little under 9K away from the next level. That left only one choice for last week, Hawaii. If the status had been locked in, we probably would have gone to SFO or AZ, or maybe to Caribbean.
My wife and I got $300 certs from a trip this past May. Before I considered where to go, I checked both our EQMs for the year. Her's were more important, because she won't MR. We were both a little under 9K away from the next level. That left only one choice for last week, Hawaii. If the status had been locked in, we probably would have gone to SFO or AZ, or maybe to Caribbean.
We're both mileage whores, so we are the perfect couple (Our second date, in 2001, was spent curled up on the couch watching a video of the new NW terminal in Detroit that a friend of mine at the airport sent me.) for this, although sometimes, she takes it a bit too far. For instance, she had the opportunity to stay at the George V in Paris for work, but turned it down to stay at a Hilton.
Mike