Overwhelmed!
 

Indeed the amount and detail of information is astounding. I have searched so many locations and i still i don't know where to pose my ?. After reading many fascinating trip reports my initial one is...how. How do members find the where-with-all to travel extensively, to myriad locations, in first or business class and stay in the hotels they do along the way. Is it with frequent flyer point? Cr card affiliated programs? How does one accumulate enough points to allow these extensive travel itineraries. Or is cash involved? How? Would you please off me direction. Thank you. Richard

There are many ways up the mountain. Some people fly a lot for work and have a ton of FFP to burn on vacations. Some are points hoarders and are masters at gaming the system with FFPs obtained through CC signup bonuses, creative spending etc. Others have reached an obi-wan-kenobe level of fare tricking and are adept at getting cheap tickets. Others are plain and simply rich.

Best thing you can do to start is to read a lot and get a feel for the concepts, the lingo, etc. There is a real learning curve but it is rewarding to stick with it.

Most of the time, it's either through subsidized work travel (employer buys the ticket, you keep the points), or by churning / manipulating affinity credit card offers. It is pretty challenging these days to accumulate meaningful points / miles balances through leisure travel alone, even if you take regular holidays. And for an irregular, occasional traveler who does not game credit cards, the FF programs are unlikely to reward the effort of "working" them.

In my case I had a job that took me all over the world. Had as many as 5 Round The World trips in a year. Spent 80% of my time outside the country. Besides getting me status on airlines and hotels, the pay was great. So I saved my money and now I only work part time but can afford business and first on several trips a year from US to Asia for both me and my wife.

Took a couple of decades to get there. Don't plan on short cutting that unless your wealthy uncle dies.

Mine is a seldom-heard opinion around here, but...

Enjoy your travel, for work or for pleasure. Pick the "right" hotel, the best flights. Don't ruin it by chasing status or points. Consider those a little bonus.