PsychoFreakGoalie: Ah! It all makes sense now as I recall those times I went travelling with my family and we went through this "cycle" of agents. From the travel agent and/or the reservations agent, to the check in agent, and finally to the showing of boarding pass to the gate agent http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I understand the differences much better now. Thank you.

gt_croz, cordelli: I think I'm gonna try this bumping thing one o' these days! Thanks for your stories :P

Wheezer: Thank you for your regards!
Hmm.. but what about Brautigan? Why is he ruled out and, pardon my slowness, but what does he (you're talking about the writer/poet, right?) have to do with MilesBuzz? By the way, if you are at all affiliated with or enjoy the band Weezer hehe.. their music is great! My particular favorite: Say it ain't so <IMG SRC="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif">

scirel: Ah, yes! Thank you for reminding me about student perks. I will write that down in my notebook as a reminder for me.

I have further questions, if you all don't mind. Who's David and I'm looking into Starwood. Is this good for someone like me who only travels maybe, at most twice a year? Is AA Advantage something I should look into too? I don't have a lot of funds right now to travel a lot. I am currently working three jobs plus University. Am saving. One of my focused goals is to of course build more miles, learn some tricks that I would gladly reciprocate back and share those I would learn along the way from other places. Thus later and/or soon, I may take more trips during the year when I have school breaks/holidays to visit dear friends and family... or just to expose myself to more places I have never been to, and have always dreamed about. Become a cultured gal, ya know? Fulfill some whims.

Any suggestions are always kindly appreciated.

_Starry-eyed

[This message has been edited by starry-eyed reformer (edited Jan 20, 2004).]

Just the insomnia talking, take no mind. Checking for alligators around the apartment, opp, opp, opp.

It ain't so. I do have a friend who got stuck bumming squares from Jeff Tweedy, though. Tango romeo oscar, and all that.

Starwood is a fine program, but I believe you'll need to stay at one of their properties every year or use their Amex-branded credit card to avoid points expiration.
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Tonight only: General William Booth Enters into Heaven.

[This message has been edited by Wheezer (edited Jan 20, 2004).]

The advice I give the newbies at work is the same advice I was given when starting out:

Pick one airline, hotel chain & rental car agency, and do your best to stick with them to maximize your earnings.

Remember...It's all about the points!

First of all, Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

Gong Xi Gong Xi!

Next, PointFreak!:

Thank you for your passing on that advice to us newbies, PointFreak!

It sounds logical for a beginner, what you say... about choosing one airline, hotel chain and the rental car. Yet what I find daunting is how to know which one is the best one to go with right off the bat that will prove to be most advantageous. But I guess there isn’t ever going to be one best answer to this as everyone's interpretation of advantageous can mean many things and it also depends on where one is at the moment and where one would like to travel, what one’s budget is, one’s definition of luxury, quality service and also one’s degree of flexibility factors into the soup mixture as well.

Everyone's tastes and needs are different.

So far, I’ve learned that individual persistent researching and comparing of airlines (offered programs and promotions) is key, as is listening to the experiences and advices of fellow FF members, because it really does often save a lot of time and frustration…

_Starry-eyed Reformer

Well, Starry Eyed Reformer....

A youre right there is a lot to picking one airline, hotel chain, etc. I am currently on 3 airlines partially because I cant make up my mind and partially because my flying patterns and the airlines routings have changed. I will likely drop to two carriers this year. I travel a fair amount on business so one carrier doesnt give me much flexibility as to destination. Ive been with two for years, and this past year added a third but cant keep that up indefinately. It depends a lot on where you live and where you travel. Fortunately, I am within an hour (give or take depending on traffic) of 3 major airports and one mimor airport so I have a lot of options. Many dont. If for instance you lived in Cincinnati you would be much more limited although not without some choice. So keep reading, look not only at FF program rules but airlines routes and prices. And keep asking questions.