We have a proliferation of travel bloggers now, and most follow the Ronald Reagan doctrine:
“Don’t speak ill of your fellow bloggers.” Help one another out.
The Points Guy and I are both on the OneWorld MegaDO and have been offered the status match to Executive Platinum by showing top tier status on another airline. Brian is Diamond with Delta. I’m 1K with United. We have been exchanging emails about going on a 20K journey to qualify. Brian is the Expert Flyer expert. I’m not. I have four EVIPS from crossing the Two Million Mile Lifetime mark on American. Brian just moved to an American hub and has no EVIPS yet. I have all of two flights per day from Savannah on American Airlines. It is not the best airline for me. In a community we try to work together.
Brian found a trip that nets him the 20K but with only one upgradable seat confirm-able at booking, so we used two of my EVIPs to get all that 6’7″ frame of his into a Business Class seat. He needed it more than I did. He got the upgrades and if a second seat shows up, he’ll put it on hold for me (he is the Expert Flyer guy), and I’ll go along using my last two upgrades.
I’ve been trying on my own, using my new ExpertFlyer account, to find something long haul that I can upgrade on a one-day or two-day turn maximum. I’ve been ideally looking to Beijing and and Shanghai. A second thought was Madrid. I need 20K but if I can’t get it all in one trip, I guess I’ll fly a couple transcons to finish out the 20K by January 13th. My time frame is limited by a trip to Hawaii from the 13th to 23rd and house guests on the 24th to 29th of December, That does not leave much time, so if you have any alternative cities where I can get at least 10K round-trip all on AA metal, the help will be appreciated. I’m looking for international for the lay-flat or close to lay-flat seats. Any city pairs to suggest with SAV? I beat my brains out with Paris and got almost there and they raised the price $400 each way as I was working away.
In this hobby 1+1=3 if we work together. I have absolutely no reservations at all about helping another reader or blogger, if I know them and trust them. That is the reason for the group, the Seminars and DO’s — to make face to face contact and build relationships with like-minded people. And it’s not just Brian. I know I have called Lucky of One Mile at a Time, and Gary of View from the Wing on numerous occasions with award booking or United Elite status questions and they have always been there. Howie is always bailing me out with Delta questions.
The list of friends I’ve made here is long. I know when I get in a jam or need some help, somebody will dig in and get me out of a bad spot. That is a great feeling. George, Howie, Basil, Sharon, Geoff, Rene, Christine, Steve and on and on, I’m glad to have you in my life. And I found a new points and miles Mom last week. She helped me get a pile of US Airways miles. Thanks, Mom.
Build those relationships. It’s what we are all about here. Oh yeah and saving a few bucks as well. 
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