One way of adding value to FlyerTalk is by participating in the Miles & Points, Travel & Dining, and Community forums. Give an example of where you have contributed knowledge to FlyerTalk.

I've contributed in the last week to a thread on the St. Anthony Hotel (SPG). In the next few days I intend to write a more thorough review, the tone of which will hinge greatly on a $219 minibar charge that ended up on my bill despite my not even taking the key when I checked in.

I will say this, though....the question itself presupposes that certain parts of FlyerTalk are more important than others. I do not, nor have I ever felt that way. I've always felt that all the forums on FT are just as important as the others, including the more community-oriented forums. Including the OMNIs.

Many of us go through peaks and troughs when it comes to frequent travel. When I started on FT about 16 years ago, I was hitting a peak. I hit another one about 7-8 years ago. I probably travel less than I ever have in the last 20 years now, although I still travel overseas a few times a year and domestically every month or so.

So the community areas are the glue that hold FT together, IMO. I would've probably disappeared for a bit given my travel patterns, but some of the places I enjoy (Travel Technology, TravelBuzz, CommunityBuzz, and the OMNIs) keep me engaged as much as the points and miles forums.

Before each trip I take, I make a list of the Flyertalk threads I'm going to update when I get home. I then meticulously document my meals, lounge visits, hotel stays and flights so I can update these hotels. I don't know of many FTers who post as many detailed hotel reviews as I do. I also have submitted some of the very few Amtrak Trip Reports to Flyertalk and of course I have done a lot of work in my first TalkBoard term.

I try to help out as best I can. I maintain a few of the Sticky threads in the Marriott forum (including the Marriott FAQ thread.) I do try to answer questions within any forum that I'm looking at where I feel I can add value.

A couple of years ago I thought I saw a need for a new forum (Group & Event Planning forum). I pushed for it, articulated the perceived need here in this forum. TB agreed and it was created. (Unfortunately the forum wasn't quite a needed or usable as I thought it would be and a year or so later the forum was decommissioned just as TB should have done.*

*I'm still crying over that BTW.

I organized DOs before and also mini-DOs in Krakow and in Chicago alongside some moderators. I made trip reports and even did live posting on my mileage runs. I've been quite active in some forums (like UA, Travel Tech, Hyatt, and now going to be in AA and BA) and answering questions that other FTers ask.

I've been a member of FT for 13 years & during that time I have actively participated on FT through my posts as well as organizing Dos. I participate in many forums, whether they be miles & points such as Marriott, United, or community oriented such as Community Buzz, Omni, Contests & Sweeps etc.

I maintain the Exec Lounge Open/Closed thread in the Marriott forum, which takes a LOT of time to update/maintain but is worth it.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...-weekends.html

I also contribute quite a lot in the Contest & Sweeps forum (and yes, FTers do win trips! ):

Contests & Sweepstakes Forum

I organized the Presidents Day London Do for 10 years running, as well as smaller Dos.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...idents+Weekend

I've done trip reports of hotel stays (as well as trip reports of actual travel, such as a trip to New Zealand or attending the British Oscars). Here's a hotel stay trip report.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/14765310-post115.html


I believe in giving back to Flyertalk via posting information that might be of assistance to other FTers, organizing Dos, providing trip reports & hotel reviews as well as being welcoming to new FTers, as I've gained so much from FT in terms of information and friendships (both virtual & in real life).

Cheers.

I can also add that Sharon has an encyclopedic knowledge of new Marriott properties and is the largest contributor to the thread for upcoming Marriotts.

I believe I have a track record of consistently being helpful and providing added value through information and insights in my posts on FlyerTalk. One needs only to search my recent posts to see countless examples of specific, helpful information on the forums.

Some you'll see on that first page of the search (assuming answering these questions doesn't bump them down!) are posts that help to clarify UA's complex (and amazingly flexible) SDC policy, answer rental car questions, and even add some key information about bus transportation in South America from my trip several years ago. And those are just the most recent handful of posts among thousands of other similar ones, including some information library/FAQ threads that are quite extensive.

As well, I've been privileged to host (so far!) five annual Alaska "Dos," the most recent of which was an epic trip to a place few have ever gone--Dutch Harbor. I'm proud of having been able to show off the wildest and remotest corners of The Great Land to any adventuresome FlyerTalkers who want to join (any FlyerTalk member is welcome!). As I mentioned in my questionnaire, the FlyerTalk community is my very favorite part of having discovered these forums, and I enjoy meeting others and hosting others whenever I can. Opening up the wildest places of Alaska in an affordable and accessible manner is one way I've tried to give back to the FlyerTalk community.

There are tons of ways to give back to the community, and each one of the candidates this year has done so in many different ways. I hope my contributions have added some value to our community, even if it is just a tiny drop in a vast bucket.

I joined FT just under 6 years ago and have continued to remain active but try not to post of the sake of posting.

I remain most active in the Delta forum. Be it providing advice related to my "second home" - London Heathrow - or Delta's Comfort+. I'm also able to provide thoughts on Delta's 767 fleet, which I spend the most time on.

I also continue to participate in the AA forum (more OW flying these days) and the UK/Ireland forums.

And it's of course important to highlight the TalkBoard forum. I'm not one to post for the sake of posting, but do post to let people know my views on matters or why I've chosen to vote a particular way. I really try to observe what others are saying as being on the TalkBoard is about representing others.

I was tied up for a couple of days and unable to devote any time to these questions. But now I'm free.

In a decade and a half as a FlyerTalker, I have contributed to content in many areas where I have substantial personal knowledge, especially Marriott and Delta forums. I also moderate the Marriott forum and believe that it is well organized, civil and extremely useful. That's not all my doing, but I have certainly helped! Finally, for the past two years as TalkBoard VP and President, I have actively participated in all discussions of recommendations. I regard my greatest contribution there to be the establishment of a smokers' firm, a place where smokers can discuss their particular issues without being insulted and urged to stop smoking altogether! I have also pushed for positive changes in TalkBoard's administrative procedures to streamline decision-making.

Bruce