FlyerTalk Forums - - RESOURCES: Getting Started, Member Tips, Helpful Links, FAQs, and More

Getting Started

You'll find a general sitewide Topic Index in the Where to find information about... thread. Otherwise, a variety of specialized resources are listed below.

Trip Planning: Finding the Best Fares, Choosing a Carrier, Best Routes/Connections, etc.

Looking for a "good" fare? There's no magic formula… you just need to search and study and search some more! Here's a list of links to some of FlyerTalkers' most frequently used resources to get you started:

Online Travel Booking forum sticky: list of online travel agencies, booking engines, aggregators - these are the best places to begin your airfare search if you're new to all this!
Travel Tools forum sticky: list of online tools, services, software to improve the travel experience
Budget Travel: this forum's name says it all
Mileage Run Deals: unusually low cost fares based on a cents-per-mile calculation – be sure to read the stickies before posting (no fare requests permitted)
Good Deals in Economy: thread for members to share very good coach/economy class fares (no fare requests permitted)
Premium Class Deals: forum for sharing excellent fares in first and business class (no fare requests permitted)
Award Booking Services: list of providers that will handle your award bookings for a fee - note that these are awards booked with YOUR miles/points, not award tickets for purchase, trade or barter
Award Redemption Comparison Tool: determine mileage requirements across various programs
Mileage/Award Brokers and Trading, Selling, Buying Miles/Points: are they legit?

Choosing an Award Program

Combining Points/Miles

Combining Points and Miles Not usually much value in doing this, but since you ask

Using Credit Cards to Get Miles/Points

Credit Card Programs: Start Here
Credit Card Forum Index - in addition to the general credit card forum, there are dedicated forums for discussing programs specific to AmEx, Chase, Citi and Diners Club
Manufactured Spending - creative ways of using credit cards to maximize program miles/points earning
Gaining status without flying? Very limited options, but sometimes an EQM boost.

Getting the Most Out of FlyerTalk

Glossary — abbreviations and acronyms explained (this link also appears at the bottom of every FT page)
How to Modify Your Profile Details — adding your location and program affiliations helps those who are trying to help you
Links to Help You Use the Site — see the Wikipost for tools and functions to maximize your FT experience
Using the Search Feature on FlyerTalk: The Definitive Thread
Guide to FlyerTalk's flame-free/no-question-too-stupid/newbie threads
How to add or embed a file or image / photo in a post