Faces of FlyerTalk – CDKing
Posted by Rick Wednesday, May 02, 2012, 8 Comments
Want to know more about the Faces of FlyerTalk?
Paul A (CDKing) is originally from the Pacific Northwest, but now resides in the Boston area. He’s a loyal Alaska Airlines flyer that gets to enjoy benefits from Alaska, Delta, and American due to the partnerships that Alaska has with both airlines. He’s earned over 1,000,000 frequent flyer miles … without a single credit card. Paul doesn’t travel for business, and has figured out how to make this all possible with great leisure fares and his personal travel.
Faces of FlyerTalk - CDKing
Paul, we’re glad to have you as a part of the “Faces of FlyerTalk”.
When did you find FlyerTalk and how did you find it?
I was living on the west coast and met a wonderful woman online who happened to live in Boston. I had flown a few times before and always wanted to go to Boston as it was the longest domestic route I could find. She convinced me to fly to see her. I was searching for information on carry-on limits and FlyerTalk happen to be near the top of the results page and the advice was very helpful. I joined at that time but only visited the site a few times. We really hit it off, so i ended up flying back and forth several times to see her. I spent a lot of time in the US Air forum to keep up on how things work. By the end of the year I finally hit silver status and I have been hooked since.
Do you consider yourself an infrequent, fairly regular, or miles and points addicted reader?
I am a point’s addicted reader. I started out fairly small with 25K In my first year. As soon as I moved to Boston, I decided to keep up my travels back to Oregon to see my friends. I wasn’t too thrilled about flying US Airways as their prices were way up and schedules not as compatible going the opposite direction. I found out on FlyerTalk that Alaska Airlines would match my status. The rest was history. I jumped up to 70-80K a year after the switch. Now I’m doing about 125K to 150K a year all leisure.
How often are you on FlyerTalk, and what forums do you typically visit?
I would say I pretty much live on FlyerTalk now. I check the Mileage run deals at least a dozen times a day. Mileage run deals and mistake fares are an excellent way to get a lot of miles for very little cost. I spend a lot of time in the Alaska Airlines forum, which has been my primary carrier for the last three years. I’ve recently switched a majority of my travel to United so I visit to keep up with what’s going on with the merger. Another favorite of mine is Community Buzz. That’s what FlyerTalk is really about, meeting likeminded people. There’s so many forums on FlyerTalk, there pretty much something for everyone.
Do you travel for business, leisure, or both?
I have only been on one business trip in my life. I’m kind of jealous of those that have someone else pay their travel bill. What I don’t envy is business travelers spend most of their time meeting with clients and not much sightseeing, if any. It’s great traveling for fun.
Are you involved in credit card churning?
I’ve heard a lot about it but it’s not for me.
What credit cards are you carrying in your wallet right now, and which ones do you recommend to friends?
I do not carry any credit cards. I did not respect my credit when I was younger so it’s pretty much impossible to get approved. I do have an Alaska Airlines debit card which used to earn me 1000 miles on each ticket purchase. Unfortunately with the changes in banking law it does not earn me what it used to.
What’s the single most successful thing you’ve done to acquire points and miles?
I’ve been lucky by visiting the mileage run deals forum at the right times. I’ve flown cross country several times for only $60 round trip. Expedia Deal in December of 2010 was great. It was a $300 off a package with airfare and hotel but a minimum spend was not programmed. I went to Las Vegas for a weekend for only $45. I was also very lucky and I had booked several $220 roundtrip transcon’s and Alaska Air ended up offering double RDM on the route. With the elite bonus I was earning triple RDM and cleared every upgrade making it a very good run.
How many miles / points have you accumulated in the past year? In your lifetime?
With Alaska Airlines and partners, I’ve earned just shy of 900K redeemable miles in the last 3.5 years. I’m currently on the trip that brings me to 250K butt in seat miles on Alaska metal. Including the miles earned in various program I’m at around 1.25 million redeemable miles lifetime.
Do you use a tracking program to keep track of your miles / points? Which one?
I’ve tried AwardWallet which I think is very good. I’ve been trying to increase my knowledge of MS Excel for work so I’ve decided to use that to track my miles. I like the fact it’s easier to manipulate the data to better keep track of my progress to the next elite level or any other details I’m looking for.
How does your spouse / partner / family / friends feel about this hobby?
My girlfriend is very supportive of my hobby. At first she thought I was completely crazy, well until she enjoyed a few upgrades. When I made my first miles redemption and she saw the cash price would have been $15K USD, and then she truly saw the light. On the other hand my friends and co-workers think I’m nuts. I was surprised when my newest co-worker said she thinks it’s the coolest thing.
What’s your most memorable trip?
My most memorable trip was to OZ Fest DO in Darwin Australia. It was also my first ever international trip. I decided to make a splash into ultra long-haul travel. I decided that I wanted to try out Cathay Pacific first class which I had heard was the best. The closest departure city to me with availability was Toronto. The destination I wanted was also not served by my airline choice. What I did was booked to the closest city to my final destination turning this into a multi-city “trip of a lifetime”. I flew Boston – Toronto – Hong Kong – Bali – Darwin and back. Since my miles trip only allowed a stop-over in Hong Kong, buying positioning flights allowed me to make my own stop overs. I ended up getting a nice two night preview of each city I transited along with my week in Australia. I experienced five new airlines, four new plane types and finally tried out international first and International business class cabins.
What suggestions can you give to rookies and newbies on FlyerTalk?
I would suggest browsing all the different forums that make up the site. There are a lot of topics covered from miles to food to the latest travel gadgets. I encourage all visitors to read the FAQS as they can help summarize many questions they may have. I strongly suggest new members check out Community Buzz and find a DO to attend to meet others with same interests.
Are there any particular fellow FlyerTalk members whose advice you follow?
I don’t follow anyone in particular. Everyone has good advice to give. I like to follow Seat 2A’s trip reports as it inspires me to fly even more.
What’s the one thing you’d like to see change on FlyerTalk?
Sometimes I wish people were nicer to each other when they have disagreements. Moderators are good about taking down personal attacks. I don’t think I’d change anything else.
Have you attended or are you planning on attending any FlyerTalk related events?
I try to attend at least one or two major DO’s every year. My first DO was a Mileage Run 101 Seminar in 2009 put on by Viajero Joven. I learned a lot about finding cheap fares which started off my obsession with miles. I also have attended two DO’s in Alaska and I’m looking forward to going to a third one up there in June 2012. OZ Fest is another great DO, I always needed an excuse to go to Australia and had an excellent time last year. Another one of my favorites is the Chicago Seminar DO’s put on by Ingy. Even if you know all there is to know there’s always the chance to network as many of the big names on FlyerTalk show up.
Paul, thanks again for sharing your story with us all. I’m looking forward to hearing about your future trips and for the opportunity to meet in person in Chicago this October at the Chicago Seminars. We’ll be changing your FlyerTalk membership to the Premium Service, sending you a pair of luggage tags, and exclusive FlyerTalk lapel pin. In addition your avatar will now show you, as one of the Faces of FlyerTalk for years to come.
Below are some pictures that Paul shared with us:
Deal of the Day
For today’s Deal of the Day AutoSlash is donating a $50 Hertz Gift Certificate for the best overall travel deal submitted. A great mileage run, mistake fare, partner promo, new card sign-up offer, or the special twist you figured out on a deal today. Add it to the comments section of this post (make sure to include your first name, last inital, and home airport) or this afternoon’s Deal of the Day post to be eligible to win.
Deal of the Day Chicago Seminar Dates Set
Posted by FrugalTravelGuy Tuesday, January 03, 2012, No Comments
We have firmed up the dates for the 2012 Chicago Seminars. They are October 12, 13 and 14, 2012 back with our friends at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village. I have been assured that we will be able to book hotel rooms by the first of next week at the same rates as last year. Any reservations made before we establish the link will not be honored. Wait just a few more days til we can book hotels. We will start a thread on Flyertalk and Milepoint when rooms are available
Reminder that the 30% bonus for point transfers from American Express to British Airways ends at the end of January.
JetBlue is having another sale with fares from $29!
You can win a $4,000 AA gift card by entering here!
Mommy Points has a deal to get 500 bonus UA miles by spending $75 online!
You can still get $5 of TripAlertz credit for every person that you invite. You can join with my link or use one of the links in the comments.
DREAM Foundation Donations
Thanks to those of you that supported the Dream Foundation donation request. I have the following thank you prizes for you. Just send me your full name and snail mail address so I can send them your way:
Ingrid two Continental Club passes
Adam two Continental Club passes
Gary Southwest Drink Coupons
Jen Southwest Drink Coupons
Next Up: Trinidad and Tobago in January
Posted by Rick Saturday, November 26, 2011, No Comments
It’s strange how things work out. I booked this mileage run to Beijing in hopes of getting the 20,000 miles to meet the Executive Platinum challenge by American for OneWorld MegaDo attendees. I was about 4000 miles short. My first choices were Aruba or Curacao as I knew the Hyatt hotels and have been to both islands. But the distance came up just short of my required 20,000 miles unless I did a goofy routing and paid a ton more for my airfare. We’re using our multi-night Hyatt certificates that Katy got from the Capital One card.
I’m lamenting at the coffee shop this horrible dilemma in my life and I ask my buddy Harry if he had any ideas. Trinidad and Tobago, he suggested. It was just a few miles further than the A B C islands of Aruba, Bonnaire and Curacao. In fact, it fit just perfectly in my 20,000-mile scheme and did not require an overnight on the way down from Savannah. All looked good.
I got home and did the TripAdvisor review of the Hyatt, checked the price (outstanding), and made the booking. In my scattered filing system I found I still had four suite upgrades from the time I got comped to Diamond with Hyatt, so those got applied as well. (I’ll try to use the other three on the MegaDO if they’ll let me.)
So my $900 gift card will get used up with nights and meals (I still have another one), I reached my 20K challenge at a reasonable price, and we see a new island in January.
Any tips and suggested day trips or sights to see in Trinidad and Tobago?
I have to get a better filing system. (Shannon, where are you???)
Increase Delta Skymiles Bonus Now 30,000 Miles for $500 Minimum Spend
British Airways Success Story. Well, Kind Of…
Posted by Rick Sunday, October 16, 2011, No Comments
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| Washington State’s West Coast |
By Carol H.
Hi Rick,
I thought I would share my experience in booking flights on American Airlines using my British Airways miles in case it could help a fellow Frugal Travel Guy reader.
I decided to book flights to Seattle next August for myself, my daughter, and my two granddaughters. I had never booked that far in advance but I wanted to use the majority of my British Airways miles before the new changes are implemented in November. I had heard that this can be a difficult experience and had notes with suggestions from those who had gone before me. But I was not at all prepared for the agony to follow.
I could never have imagined what it would take to book those flights: several hours online, four hours on the phone with British Airways (BA), and six phone calls talking to as many agents. Misinformation, mixed messages, two disconnections (we had nearly finished booking the reservation each time) … “not finding that flight number”…”no flights available”…”only two seats left on that flight”…”only seats left are in first class”…”let me try one more thing,” And I was on hold for 15 to 30 minutes more times than I can remember. Finally: “Yup, there are four seats available on the flight you want.” (All of these comments, by the way, were from different agents about the exact same flight!)
Backing up a little: I first tried booking the flights online but, despite plenty of availability on American Airline’s website, I could only get two options for each leg on BA’s site with either very early morning or very late night flights. Either option would have meant two very cranky, sleep-deprived kids and two miserable adults. I tried several times over several days and more than half of the time I only got a drop-down menu with a few departure cities, none of which were my home airport. I had read recommendations from others to call BA, complain that their site is broken, and, if you push hard enough, they will waive the fee. Not so for me. I asked several agents, and I did press the issue, but they all said that BA does not do that any more — no exceptions. I resigned myself to the idea that I was going to have to pay the fee and decided I would use my Capital One card and get reimbursed for it.
I’m finally feeling really good about getting flights at times we can live with, and we’re finally almost done with the booking process, when the agent says, “your total will be $482.68.” Me: “What?!” He tells me the taxes and fees are $95.67 each, plus there’s a $100 booking fee! I told him tax and fees on AA’s website are $10 each. He insists that he’s right and there’s nothing he can do about it. Then he has the gall to ask if I still want to book the flights. Me: “You Have Got To Be Kidding!”
So I hung up, went to BA’s site, did a pseudo-booking and taxes were $10 each -_ same as American. I called again, just happened to get the same guy (odds of that are slim), and I told him BA’s taxes are also $10 each and that there’s no way the taxes come to $95.67 each! He stuck to his story, so I asked for a supervisor. Then he says, “Just give me a few more minutes and let me see what I can find.” On hold again — but guess what? He came back and said, “The total for taxes and fees comes to $120.” I couldn’t believe it! So I asked him why he had said they were a total of $482.68 when now they’re only $120. He said, “The internal system was charging you a fee that you shouldn’t have been charged.”
If I hadn’t been so darned persistent, I would have been way overcharged! What I think happened is that I was first being charged taxes and fees at the European rate. That gives me an idea of what they might be starting in November when B.A. implements its changes. Boy, am I glad I used my miles now!
Happy Travels!
Carol H.
P.S. Rick, I meant to include this tip: When calling British Airways, be sure to press “O” at the prompts to talk to a live person. Do not press any options!
First Year Fee Waived: 50,000 Points Transferable to Hyatt, Marriott, Priority Club, Continental and British Airways
United Mileage Plus 50,000 Miles No First Year Fee Appears Targeted by Status
Posted by Rick Thursday, July 14, 2011, No Comments
This is not the offer I have been expecting but actually gives more miles than the Explorer card talked about on Flyertalk.
On my right hand blog column you’ll see and ad for a United card that says “Get $50 back” click on it and see the standard offer for 30k.
Then in the right hand corner of that landing page, you’ll see the wording: “Special Offer for Mileage Plus Members” then Log In
When I log in it takes me to a 50,000 mile offer with no annual fee first year. When Katybug logs in, it sends her to a landing page for existing card members and does not make a card offer at all. I’m an existing cardholder but got the offer??
Of course this is not a brand new card but a Visa signature card many of you have had in the past, but for me, it shows 50,000 miles and no first year fee.
Try it yourself and report what your offer is.
I’m off to do some more research and will get back to you shortly.
Update:
Most are reporting the regular 30K offer after logging in but several emails have indicated that Continental is sending out targetted emails for up to 50K in miles for their card. This is obvisously a response to that offer.
It only takes one second to check and I would defintely look if you have status with United. The more miles, the merrier
It is Churning Day
Posted by Rick Tuesday, June 21, 2011, No Comments
This has definitely been my hardest card churning day I have experienced. I’m not thrilled with the current offers I have not taken advantage of, and am in anticipation of things to come with more big bonuses. So I’ll do my chronological thinking or wavering, however you see it, as the days lead up to my churn. Here goes:Our starting numbers are as follow:
Rick Creditsesame score 759 Inquiries TU-3, EX-15, EQ-11 VantageScore scale 852-862-814
Katy Creditsesame score 759 Inquiries TU-4, EX-13, EQ-8 VantageScore scales 947-976-947
How is it our CS scores are the same and she has so much higher scores on the VantageScale scores?
Every 90 days+ I look for new opportunities to obtain credit card signup bonuses. I try to do all my applications at one time using this schedule for two reasons.
1. I think inquiries that are older than 90 days are no longer considered “recent inquiries” which can lead to denials.
2. I do them on the same day so the other cards issuers may not see the competing inquires made on the same day which could negatively affect their decisions.
3. I waited until today to churn, the 21st, so a couple of inquiries fell off our reports.
The system has worked for me for years and I see no reason to change it, other than a BIG card offer with a limited time to apply that does not fall into my 90 day rotation. It does happen. It happened to me this spring when a big offer came out (I think it was the Capital One card) just after I had churned 6 cards two weeks previous. I was dumb enough to apply anyway and got the “too many recent inquiries” denial. Ugh.
I’m starting this post about 10 days in advance of the 21st as I’m looking at my options and needs. Here is what I’m faced with:
1. As always, insufficient hotel points.I very seldom pay for hotel rooms actually booked through the hotel program website. I’m using Priceline, Expedia Best Price Guarantee or award stays from my SPG spend (I have 120K right now)
2. The United vouchers I earned with My Thank You points years ago are gone and I’m running out of United bump and customer service vouchers. I’m going to have to start paying for my tickets again or travel on awards.
I have most of the airline credit cards (I suppose I could do the Alaska Airlines card again?) (or maybe a Delta Gold Business card). But if I do, I’m earning more airlines miles.
I have SPG Gold status locked up based on my credit card spend every year, promotions and referrals have almost secured Priority Club Platinum for another year and I just am finishing three stays using my Visa Signature card and the Hilton Gold status promo until March 2013. So I’ve got mid tier hotel status through spring of 2013. It is impossible for me to get top tier with anyone, as I just won’t pay for that many qualifying stays.
With all this background information in mind, I’m looking at bonus category cards that give me points redeemable for travel were I actually earn miles when flying on those flights and gift cards for hotels. The two primary programs are the Citi Thank You points program and the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. The two cards in the forefront are the Chase Sapphire Preferred card which I already have, and the Citi Premier card under their limited time 50,000 point bonus through the end of the month.
I used the Chase Sapphire℠ Preferred Card in Europe and will use it again next week in China because of the no foreign transaction fee feature. The points do add up but are really only worth 1 cent each plus the bonus you get for using them on travel tickets so 1.25 cents.
I’m really tempted to get the Citi ThankYouSM Premier Card – 50,000 points – enough for $665 in airfare again at the 50K bonus for both Katy and me. We each have Thank You points from the good old days and if there are not any better options we’ll probably each take one of those today.
What I really want are the Citi Preferred card which pays 5 points for one year on gas, groceries and drugs and the Citi Forward card which has paid 5 points on dining an entertainment for the first year of card ownership. Unfortunately, the sign up bonuses are awful as I write this and unless they change, it is certainly not worth both of us doing these cards for the sign ups they offer. We may just split then with Katy getting the Premier card, me getting the Forward card and her popping off the Preferred card. Citi could make this churn much easier if they will offer a decent signup bonus on these last two cards. (PS One later appeared)
The Ritz Carlton card is just not for me. I’m a three star kinda guy and don’t have much interest in that offering. Although we have never gotten the Pen Fed travel credit card, we have been members for years. That may qualify as the next one for us.
I’ll keep updating this post as time gets closer.
It is now the 18th of June and things have changed. I did find an offer for 26K on the Citi ThankYou℠ Preffered Card – 26,000 Points – $250 in Gift Cards but it does not appear to offer the bonus points for gas grocery and drugs, and Lucky posted a note about 40K on an Alaska Airlines card. I also got word of a 50K offer for Virgin Atlantic from a reader, and Katy’s scores are through the roof. This may be a great churn for us. I’m thinking that we should do a deal for every bank out there for each one of us. Maybe I should pick the best offer from each of the current card issuers and let that be the deal for this churn.
It is now the 19th and here is my hit list for the 21st As of this moment, we are applying for the following cards:
American Express: We will each do the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN for 25K each and no annual fee first year. We have never had this one and need two additional card holders. We’ll be on each others and add a youngster as well. No minimum spend.
Bank of America: Alaska Airlines 40,000 mile offer We each got this card in February and will test the info we have about it being churnable. Annual fee $75. Points awarded on first purchase.
Barclays: This is the weakest offer but the Airtran Signature Visa card is one card that will soon be gone with the merger. Sixteen (16) credits on Airtran for a $59 annual fee is a round trip ticket. $750 spend. We don’t live in a SW city and Airtran does not service our area either, but it makes good trade bait for $118 (both of us) if we need to.
Chase: Priority Club 60,000 points offer Although the app link doesn’t show the 60K, it is clearly on the offers page of the website. No first year fee. First purchase earns the bonus. We’ll each take this one and I’ll send a secure message to Chase to see if they will Bump the Bonus up to the 80K targeted offer.
Citi We will split up here. I’ll take the Citi ThankYouSM Premier Card – 50,000 points – enough for $665 in airfare for the flight miles bonus and 50K sign up bonus with $125 application fee. Katy will take the Citi ThankYou℠ Preferred Card – 26,000 Points – $250 in Gift Cards If it gives 5 points on gas grocery on drugs. (still checking) . One offer suggests the bonus categories and one other does not. Damn. After we get the cards, I’ll have Katy (with the higher score) apply for the Citi Forward card for our dining and entertainment spend. I’m not sure how Citi will respond to two apps on the same day from the same person for Thank You points cards, so we’ll take the better offers first to be sure.
Pentagon Federal Credit Union: The Travel Rewards card offers 20,000 point sign up bonus with $650 of initial spend and bonus categories of airfare, dining and hotel purchases through August 31st. There is no annual fee. We’ll each get this one.
The take is not fantastic but the annual fees are minimal ($393) and the minimum spends are really reasonable. Our take if 100% successful will be:
50,000 Delta miles
80,000 Alaska miles
2 Roundtrips on Airtran or Southwest Airlines
120,000 Priority Club points
76,000 Thank You points
40,000 Pen Fed points worth two domestic revenue tickets.
No monster offers in here for us this time, but we should get these all approved based on our scores and inquiries.
I’ll keep you updated on our progress.
Now June 20th and I’m wavering. Do I really want to waste an inquiry on an Airtran card when they don’t even come to my home airports? The Delta Gold Business card only offers 25,000 points and I have plenty of Delta miles? Is it worth an inquiry on my credit report? The same holds true for the Pen Fed card. Do I want 20,000 points when I already have the bonus categories covered with the Citi Thank You Points cards?
Decisions.Decisions Decisions. An inquiry on my report is worth at least $500 to me. I may blow off the three lowest offers.
Churning Day July 21st
I cut it back to the Chase Priority Club card for each of us. I know those points are only worth .6 cents each but am confident I will find a Pointsbreak night or two to increase my return to well over a $500 value for my application.Update: Both Instantly Approved
We are taking a swing on Alaska Airlines cards at 40K each with a $75 annual fee. The companion cert and flexibility with Alaska redemption partners is just too good to pass up. We got this card in February and are going on the premise provided by several readers that the card is churnable. Let’s hope the comments were correct in our case. Update Delayed Decision on Both
And we are taking the Citi ThankYouSM Premier Card – 50,000 points – enough for $665 in airfare Note This is a last minute shift. I could not find a link that would give me both the 26K sign up bonus and 5 points per dollar on the Preferred Card. We are each taking the Premier card. Update Delayed Decision on Both
And Katy will also take a swing at the Citi 75K Business Visa card listed on Flyertalk in the Milebuzz forum post #2 in the Citi 75K thread. Update: Winner Winner Chicken Dinner It took a follow up phone call but she is approved and 75K confirmed
In the long run I think sanity prevailed. My credit is too valuable an asset to use on inferior offers. The market now calls for close to $500 in value before even pulling the trigger. The Airtran card and Pen Fed cards didn’t meet that test. In addition, at the last minute I added ending up picking up the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN (Instant Approval) as I will be flying Delta more often. I was hesitant, as I really think we will see another big offer from Amex in the near future.
So my monster churn of a little ago as two days is now just a switch to cards that will provide me value and the Thank You points I need for hotel gift cards and revenue airline tickets.
Am I over thinking this churning day? I don’t think so. I want the miles and points but truly believe what I tell you all almost everyday: Your credit is one of your most important assets.
Rookie Travel Tips with Shannon
Posted by Shannon Friday, May 06, 2011, No Comments
Rookie Travel Tips Friday And A Major Deadline!
Last weeks winning tip goes to Charles Clark. See Last weeks Post!
Our April Winner is Jacob C. Jacob, Email Rick your address so we can mail you your $100 Gift Card!
Today I am off to West Palm Beach Florida for some much needed R and R. I booked a free airline ticket using Delta Airlines frequent flier miles I scored from the Suntrust bank deal last year. My flight leaves Columbia SC at 2:25 PM arriving in West Palm Beach at 6:16 PM with a short stop in Atlanta. My husband will be flying on U.S. Airways as a gold member and I will be stuck in a Delta coach seat with the normal people. One of my goals over the next few years will be to start learning about status and the many ways to upgrade. I think I am figuring out how to get frequent flier tickets and next I want to know how to get up into one of those large, comfortable front seats. But for the time being a free plane ticket in coach will suffice.
I am hoping to get out into the land a bit while in Palm Beach. We may check out Grassywaters Preserve , a local nonprofit 20 square mile wetland nature preserve, Okeeheelee Nature Center which inculdes 2.5 miles of trails among 90 acres of pine flatwoods and wetlands, and I will hopefully get to McCarthys Wildlife sanctuary as well.
I really want to go to Crystal River and swim with the Manatees. I have also found some snorkeling tours in West Palm Beach. I read a few reviews saying that snorkeling on Peanut Island is wonderful and there are multiple boat tours that service the island. I have read a little about the City Place , Clematis street and Antique Row being great spots for shopping, eating and people watching.
No Matter what I find “to do ” I am traveling to a place I have never gone before and that is excitement enough for me. On this adventure I’ll be sure to keep true to my three E’s of travel, Explore the land, Engage with the people, and Eat local fare.
Any Tips on Travel To Palm Beach Florida?
-Shannon, The Rookie
10% Off American Airlines Code
Patrick sent this in in the spirit of the blog. He is not sure of the expiration date but is somebodies for the asking.
LRRE9PQ3R6RN Let me know when it has been used.
Delta Gold SkyMiles Card 25,000 Miles, No First Year Fee, Free First Checked Bag
Sunday Funnies and Fotos
Posted by Rick Sunday, March 20, 2011, No Comments
South Pacific and Bondi Beach © Andrew Ingersoll
Those Silly Rules, Explained
“We don’t make you stow your laptop because we’re worried about electronic interference. It’s about having a projectile on your lap. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to get hit in the head by a MacBook going 200 miles per hour.” -Patrick Smith
“People don’t understand why they can’t use their cell phones. Well, what can happen is 12 people will decide to call someone just before landing, and I can get a false reading on my instruments saying that we are higher than we really are.” -Jim Tilmon
“We’re not trying to ruin your fun by making you take off your headphones. We just want you to be able to hear us if there’s an emergency.” -Patrick Smith
“We ask you to put up the window shade so the flight attendants can see outside in an emergency, to assess if one side is better for an evacuation. It also lets light into the cabin if it goes dark and helps passengers get oriented if the plane flips or rolls over.” -Patrick Smith
Let Me Refer You to the Flying Blue Status Match
With this referral I will get 2000 Flying Blue miles for each of you that I refer, and you can then status match with Flying Blue and your highest non Skyteam program. Example if you are 1K with United, you will be status matched to the highest level with Flying Blue and you’ll receive most of the bennies on all Skyteam airlines.
All I need is your first name and email address sent to ingy104@gmail.com
Thanks Rick
Platinum Card for the Delta Transfer Bonus, Elite Status, Lounge Access, $200 Incidental Credit and More. Read my February 6th blog post for details.
Sunday Funnies and Fotos
Posted by Rick Sunday, March 13, 2011, No Comments
Koalas at Taronga Zoo, Sydney © Andrew Ingersoll
What Really Drives Us Crazy
“Please don’t complain to me about your lost bags or the rotten service or that the airline did this or that. My retirement was taken to help subsidize your $39 airfare.” -Pilot, South Carolina
“Here’s a news flash: We’re not sitting in the cockpit listening to the ball game. Sometimes we can ask the controllers to go to their break room to check the score. But when I fly to Pittsburgh on a Sunday afternoon, the passengers send the flight attendants up at least 10 times to ask us the Steelers score.” -Commercial pilot, Charlotte, North Carolina
“I am so tired of hearing ‘Oh my God, you’re a girl pilot.’ When you see a black pilot, do you say, ‘Oh my God, you’re a black pilot’?” -Pilot for a regional carrier
Platinum Card for the Delta Transfer Bonus, Elite Status, Lounge Access, $200 Incidental Credit and More. Read my February 6th blog post for details.
Another REALLY Cheap Short Trip Opportunity
Posted by Rick Thursday, February 24, 2011, No Comments
A reader sent me this link to a Flyertalk thread that has a $100-off flight and one-night hotel stay packages on Expedia from Germany.
Use expedia.de and then “Click and Mix” for the flight and hotel packages.
Key German words:
The “Coupon Box” on the last page is “Gutsheine”
The total price must be slightly over 78 euros to use the coupon.
So we now have about 5000 blog readers competing with 320,000 FT members for the deal. LAX-LAS, SFO-LAX would be a great itinerary for this one. Have each person do their own booking and only take the rooms for part of the trip. Person one buys flight and first night’s room of two nights and person two buys flights and only takes the room for second night of the trip.
Most of the details are in the FT thread
Have fun. For me, SAV or HHH are way too expensive for only a $100 discount.
