How do you explain your frequent flying?

[kpc]

So I just booked in the last 2 weeks, Syd-Dxb-Lhr (QF J)-Bud (BA J); Dbv-Fra (OU J)-Sin (SQ suites)-Syd (SQ F) for +1 for April / May next year on points....this itinerary would probably retail for, at a guess, $12K+, and all it cost me were 160K QF miles + 132.5K SQ miles and about $1200 in taxes / surcharges....took about 30+ hours of research / planning etc (which i enjoy doing . I'm not going to do this for distant family / friends...that is what sites like Iflyflat are for...and they charge handsomely for doing so!

 

[bismarck]

I always get flutters of interest, but no one seems to stay interested long enough to actually find out how to do it. Even my colleagues (many of whom travel much more than I) just redeem their points for things in the qantas store.

Some people won't be taught.

 

[wooley]

I don't even try... No one understands me

 

[ALH]

I just say I use points

 

[Deleted member]

The joke is, were it not for AFF. I would still be languishing in whY.
But like most great mysteries in life, you need an epiphany.
That moment of clarity when it all makes sense. Mine happened 20 years too late, I don't bother trying to explain anymore, and since simpler and fairer, it's even more difficult anyway.
Interestingly, since the QF enhancements to the program we have now more accumulated points than at any other time in our past. (I wish they were $ )
So opportunities to make effective use of points has severely diminished.
As not so frequent fliers, it's getting harder. (And more expensive)

 

[Deleted member]

I don't even try... No one understands me

You need a dog!

 

[smit0847]

This is what my friends tell me when I try to explain how I manage to fly J/F so often
In the world of points and miles I learnt there is no such thing as too good to be true

Why do I fly in J and F all the time? My standard answer is 'because I can' (why wouldnt you if you could?!). I realise that can come across a bit arrogant so Im more discreet about broadcasting it to family and friends these days. While I would love to post photos of every boarding pass, lounge and meal to boast about my success in this game I realise it irritates a lot of people and most people are not remotely interested because they are jealous (they have told me this in person). When people ask HOW I do it I usually just say 'points' which is true 90% of the time. Most friends simply complain about how unfair it is because they dont get to do it. I think this is because they would rather complain about a problem than solve it (seems to be the Australian way). For those people who do start asking specifics and Im happy to tell them but to achieve anything in this game you need to be:
a) motivated;
b) organised; and
c) disciplined.

Most of my family and friends are not these 3 things so are never going to achieve the rewards this game has brough me. When I can see theyre looking for a quick solution but not willing to put in the hard yards I usually change the subject. I just figure 'if you wanted this as much as I do you would have it like I do'.

I have converted a few friends who are definitely 'in the game' and really enjoy long discussions over drinks with them about some of the finer points of the game like when they ask me 'what routing rules do AA have?' or 'whats a good use of KF points?'. I'll happily give us my time and wisdom if I feel theyll actually listen to and implement the advice I give them.

What I have found more and more is that people either ask me for help more with specific questions about planning travel rather than the points game - ie 'what do you think of Etihad'. I'm happy to help them with that as its pretty quick and easy questions. I also find myself holding my tongue when I hear people say things I disagree with, like 'using QF points for toasters is a good idea'.

 

[smit0847]

The joke is, were it not for AFF. I would still be languishing in whY.
But like most great mysteries in life, you need an epiphany.

This x 1000. After a life of lookingly longingly at the big seats at front of the plane and thinking 'gosh I'd love to sit up there one day', 12 months after discovering this site I'm VA SG with J award flights to Europe booked.

 

[Plutonus]

This x 1000. After a life of lookingly longingly at the big seats at front of the plane and thinking 'gosh I'd love to sit up there one day', 12 months after discovering this site I'm VA SG with J award flights to Europe booked.

Only J?!

 

[leadman]

I have learned to "shut my mouth"! Too many times in conversations/parties etc, you start talking about this and you seem to peeve someone off. Put it down to jealousy or other but my wife does the talking now (nothing new). I usually tell people now if they probe too much I'm a professional seat warmer.......

 

[chelzmalee]

Me, referring to shopping at DJ's online for gifts: "I get FF points for it"
Friend: "SO?"
Me: ".....Reasons I'm flying J to USA and you're not."

And I'm a teeny tiny fishie when it comes to FFing.

 

[harvyk]

With great difficulty... There have been many a conversation I've had which went along the lines of.

Them: "So you're going to LA for the weekend".
Me: "Yes"
Them: "Why?"
Me: "Because there is a party on"
Them: "But won't you spend half your time in the air"
Me: "Yeap, that's half the fun"
Them: "But surely if you are going to spend that long flying you'd want to actually spend time there"
Me: "What part about traveling is half the fun don't you get?"


Simply change the location to places like Hong Kong / Singapore / Miami / Auckland / Taipei, and change the reasons to "Buy a suit" / "Have Lunch" / "Because I'm in the neighborhood" (hey I'm in the right hemisphere, what more do you want?) / "Because I can"
I've tried explaining that for me, flying is half the fun, I love to travel and thus don't find it a chore.

 

[JohnM]

I've given up trying to explain.

But, as I've said before, I do get p!ssed off when it seems to make people think I'm wealthier than what I am. I'm not afraid to spend but I'm always chasing the sweet spot - not necessarily the rock-bottom spot as that can often be a false economy IMO.

As we all know, it's hard work that gets the rewards. Friends just have no idea of how much effort goes into our type of travel planning - either the planning waaaay ahead or being ready to grab a good deal instantly. Dithering is death!

 

[ReLoad]

A couple of posters above raise a good point, the illusion of wealth by travelling in F and J.

As I travel pretty much exclusively for work that allows me to maximise the opportunity that gives, buy doing what we do and maximising a stingy travel budget to enable pointy end travel.

The marketing of QF and other airlines that's it's super glamorous up front, combined with most people type in dates into the airline website and it says some ridiculous price for that glamour, people will of course assume.

90% of my travel is for work, so my excuse is that I don't need an excuse.

 

[dajop]

Exactly. I just ask how their beach house/boat/jet ski/motorcycle is going.

Reminds me of the time a Mercedes driving HR colleague (jokingly) made the comment "You travel so much, we must pay you too much", I responded "Yes, I fly a lot, but I don't drive around in a Mercedes Benz. I take the MRT (train) and buses everywhere". That put him back in his place. My equivalent of a car is an airplane. We all make choices.

 

[TomVexille]

Reminds me of the time a Mercedes driving HR colleague (jokingly) made the comment "You travel so much, we must pay you too much", I responded "Yes, I fly a lot, but I don't drive around in a Mercedes Benz. I take the MRT (train) and buses everywhere". That put him back in his place. My equivalent of a car is an airplane. We all make choices.

Especially in a place like SIN

 

[blackcat20]

I get a bit of 'you're so lucky/you always get upgrades/how do you afford business?' Im not lucky, I've never had an upgrade, and I don't pay for business. It's called being smart.

 

[romney]

I like to tell of a couple of the more complicated ways I earn points - "use this card through that website to by a voucher then use that to buy something else...." It makes people realise it's a lot of work. I had someone say today it seemed like a second job. Most people say good for you doing it, but they couldn't be bothered.

 

[Mattg]

It's a personal and lifestyle choice choosing to travel around the world Some people think we are fortunate (and I know we are) however I also do tell them that everyone has that choice to travel too, they just choose not to.

This is so true. I can't tell you the number of people who have told me how "lucky" I am. There's nothing lucky about it, I work hard and pay for all my travel myself (although I do take advantage of many low fares, tricks and use frequent flyer points). Any of my friends could do the same thing if they wanted to... but most of them don't.

 

[JessicaTam]

I like to tell of a couple of the more complicated ways I earn points - "use this card through that website to by a voucher then use that to buy something else...." It makes people realise it's a lot of work. I had someone say today it seemed like a second job. Most people say good for you doing it, but they couldn't be bothered.

I agree. I have explained about using a points earning credit card to buy discount Wish to buy Myer gift cards to gain a few hundred extra QFF points. They say it is all too hard for not much return. But those small extras add up.