Coupon Connection
 

How do I access Coupon Connection? I'm lost.

You don't (yet). There is a specific access rule to getting access, Randy has announced that when your time has come you will have access...

Can we have a hint?
 

Scott, I've been reading a lot on this site for the past month. I really love it, and I would also love to use Coupon Connection. Can I have a hint or something as to when I will get access to it? I've read all kinds of posts saying you need 100 posts or 30 days enrolment or whatever, but they all seem to be false.

...need a hint here! or some reassurance!

Hint... it is not 30 days NOR 100 posts.... :)

There you go!

William

CC Moderator

SEAUAKID and gregeckhart:
can o inquire where you heard of Coupon Connection? Just curious. Thanks

Can you donate money to the website to have access to this?
 

Any way you can donate to the website to get access to this? Thanks

Sloanhaus

Randy:

I've been meaning to ask this, and this seems like a good time. Once in a while in the forums, I'll see a question by one of the newer members about how to obtain an upgrade certificate or something similar, and often the response other members will give is "this needs to be asked in Coupon Connection." While this is true, it also does alert people to the existance of a forum that they do not have access to (and, perhaps, encourage posting binges trying to increase their post count). In the future, would you prefer us to be less forthcoming about the existance of the Coupon Connection Forum in our public discussions?

Thanks for your time (and FlyerTalk in general).

You can donate posts. Just stay here a while, and donate your posting skills and knowledge and before you know it, you'll have access.

Good thinking...I already tried that route :cool: . Still waiting patiently for access. :)

I have faith in the forces that be...all us neophytes will have access in due time...

In the meantime, I have learned some great tips and met some really great people hanging around here. :D

CC info
 

I saw Randy mention that he wondered where us newbies learn about the coupon connection. I remember it from the days when you could access it freely without any requirements...when I only lurked.

Additionally, the links to coupon connection threads pop up on the home page occasionally. It makes newbies ask questions when there are posts they can not access in "mysterious" forums. I do not know if it is possible but it would probably be ideal if that forum did not post to that page. I'm used to it now, but annoyed the first few times someone posted H: (something I want) W: (something I have).

Thanks

bsegreto

Newbies learn about CC (see that use of the jargon!) because they read a lot. Right now I'm not that interested in posting, because I don't have that much to contribute! I hope access to CC is not tied to number of posts. I'm not sure I'll ever make it if I do because at this point I'm more keen on just reading posts from FTers with more experience.

You'd be surprised....

We'll were all newbies once.

Some day you'll find yourself responding to someone newby-er :D than you with the knowledge that he or she needs.

randy, you asked where we "newbies" learned about the mysterious coupon connection. the answer is that it appears in many posts as an answer to many issues. It seems that having such a board and keeping it selective is not in the best interest of an "open" board. Why maintain such an elite status for select people on this board.

Coupon Connection access
 

Randy/Scott,
How does one truly gain access to the Coupon Connection forum?

I am one of the four Coupon Connection Moderators. We don't know. Only Randy knows. Seriously!

So do we just follow the yellow brick road until we meet the wizard. Will he then tell us how to obtain admission??

Basically, yes.

Randy has said that Coupon Connection privileges "come to you, you don't come to them."

I'm sure he'll clarify if and when he wants to. :)

cblaisd
One of the four Coupon Connection Moderators

Take the Red pill

I was busy looking for the red shoes, but I guess the "location: phrase" of the moderator says it all.

now the question is why did the moderator cblaisd remove the obnoxious phrase in his profile....

It's not really my place to answer but basically, it used to be open, and there were some problems. So it isn't open anymore :(

I think you were reading way too deeply into it. How do you know it was addressed to you? Don't take it personally. :)

FewMiles..

never thought it was personal merely thought it was elitist in general and shows contempt of newer members

Just for the record, it had NOTHING to do with newer members. That never occured to me. And since you objected, I changed it.

Umm seeing as to how this is the dealing with the same situation, would it be a reasonable assumption that there's now some requirement (such as the posting requirement being expanded) in order to view SPAM and OMNI? (one might also want to remove the OMNI link that is on every page).

Spam/omni
 

I lost access to SPAM and OMNI as well today. I could never post in those forums but I could always view them. I thought there was something odd about that...but I ended up getting to use the ING link in SPAM and tried to help someone else on the same ING thread by PM (since I couldn't post in SPAM) so it worked out ok for me. Looking forward to getting access to these forums (again), but I'm not holding my breath...I just don't post very often.

I'm not complaining, I appreciate the forums I can get to and the knowledge in them. Thanks!

I certainly appreciated your ability to view SPAM and respond to my inquiry about that matter by messaging me a personal response. If the current situation existed a few days prior, I would not have had the benefit of your assistance.

OK. So I'm not losing my mind. I definitely lost read access to OMNI this afternoon.

I didn't want to call you out by name, but thanks for stepping up to the plate, I appreciate it. :)

bsegreto

I have (under my previous and unpronounceable ID kdbab64) posted items on Coupon Connection when I had certs I couldn't use. Now, when I was hoping to see whether someone might have a NW zone cert to help me get to GLA this summer for a conference, I discover that the forum isn't open to the likes of me.

If it's based on posts, I'll never qualify, as I don't visit often.

Update: Okay, I posted too soon. I can see the forum name listed anywhere, but it appears that if I find it via searching, I can read and possibly post there.

Confusing...

You can access it by looking at cached pages in Google. For Example, do a Google search of SPG50. You can't bring up the flyertalk links listed but you can look at the cached copy of the flyer talk page.

LOL that was EXACTLY my thought as I was reading this thread (or clicking my heels three times). Everyone is right...us newbies see this in regular posts. I personally think it would be much less confusing if it would be shown as a forum like all the others and then when you get there to have the message (that I have gotten elsewhere) that basically says you cant go there because of your access or you cant post because of your limited number of posts.

BTW if any one ever figures out how to get into Coupon Connection please send me the map!!!

I do have to admit it is frustrating in the "main forums" when people who have been on FT a while respond to newer people with "that should post in Coupon Connection" when they know darn well most of us cant get there....I saw today where a moderator gave that answer even!!!!

This is an example of an excellent question and in turn has become helpful. A few changes we've made. We no longer feature posts from this or other restricted forums as active threads on the front page of FlyerTalk as i learned from some of the above posts. This should help. As well, I have asked our volunteer moderator staff to be aware of answering questions in the way you have just described. This will actually be a topic during the next live Moderator chat scheduled next week and i think from then on you'll see better and more consistent help in this area.

As you can guess, no matter how much time you spend going over any situation, there's usually something you miss and your catch of this is a real help to all of us, members and moderators alike. I apologize if these types of posts in the past have caused any confusion and we'll certainly now be addressing it.

Thank you all for your support of FlyerTalk and in particular, FlyinHawaiian for bringing this to my attention.

Cheers,
Randy

While I understand the need for those of us who do not post as regularly or as frequently as others having our status demoted (!) ,what I don't understand is why we did not see/recieve a message warning us to that effect. I am certainly not someone who wants to "abuse" the system, and I have been able to be helpful to members as they have been to me. However, lack of notification seems to be an intentional oversight, and for this I must register my dismay and disappointment. I will certainly continute to contribute to flyer talk, however, I really don't like to be treated as though I am too "simple" to understand a rule change. :(

Dear Dr.:
It has nothing at all to do with demoting those who do not post as regularly or as frequently having your status demoted. The reasons have been explained on an other thread and i would invite you to read them over:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=443530

They have everything to do with our commitment to make FlyerTalk the absolute best place to learn, read and exchange information about frequent flyer programs. OMNI and S.P.A.M. have absolutely nothing to do with the topic of miles and points and The Coupon Connection only has a distant relationship. We have not downgraded your ability to participate or contribute to what FlyerTalk has best to offer. I fully appreciate that most of these comments are from emotions speaking which is why I'm glad that i can address as many of them as i can.

And you are correct, the lack of notice was intentional - intentional because most members don't see the forums anyway. Because we could think of no message that could possible address all the various views of this, we decided - more appropriately, I decided - that we'll make this small change and deal one-on-one with those members with questions or concerns. I don't consider you simple, or value your presence on FlyerTalk any less than any other member, which is exactly why in these threads you'll see that I am answering each and every concern that I can.

As for those that abuse the system, thousands of hours of volunteer work have gone in to making FlyerTalk a better reading and learning environment for you and our many other members. These small changes will do wonders toward helping FlyerTalk remain a positive place for you to visit.

As with any other concerns, feel free to contact me personally on any matter.

Cheers,
Randy

I definitely agree with the course you're navigating here. Far too many internet communities start out with a focused and passionate core and proceed to fall apart as soon as the "raving loonies of the internet" breech the city walls. I'm not saying FT should be elitist or a good 'ol boys network, but strict rules which narrow the focus of discussion allow FT to remain a viable and useful community.

While I'm a little disappointed that I most likely won't regain access to OMNI or CouponConnection for quite a while now, I still agree with the actions you've taken.

Also understand the need to do this, but does make it difficult to get rid of something of value...too bad there isn't a way to both promote the forums themselves as well as provide a means to make unused items available...

If you are participating in the various airline/hotel forums, you get to know people. You can also visit the Chat during evenings.

That way, you get to know people that you may want to give unused items to other than using Coupon Connection.

Attend a gathering of Flyertalkers... many coupons trade hands at those events.

William

If you're giving something away (as opposed to trade), you can also ask any moderator for assistance. We're happy to help by posting in CC on your behalf.

I take it 90 and 90 does NOT get you back into CC. I passed that eariler today. Maybe in a few days I'll see if it was 100 posts.