Here we go again!
In August 2016 (Mega Giveaway) and February 2018 (Mega Giveaway II) I ran big giveaways and once again I've amassed enough to go around a third time.
Again this time we’re following the treasure hunt idea as for the last giveaway, as pioneered by anat0l (e.g. The AFF Scavenger Hunt), to make things a bit more fun and to engage a bit of AFF community spirit. There are around 100 travel-related treasures that can be found. Once you've found one, you get to choose a giveaway item.
How it works
When you've found a treasure, simply post your photo proof (see below) and include both the number of the treasure found and the number of the giveaway you'd like. For example, “Treasure 5 for giveaway 22”. I will then confirm (or deny) your find and receipt of the item you've requested.
A treasure may only be found once. At the time the hunt goes live (see details below for when), an important requirement will be added at post two. (I can’t add it now, for reasons that will become obvious later.) Please make sure you read it before heading off on the hunt.
The 72 giveaway items are in two tiers. Tier one comprises amenity kits and express immigration cards. Tier two comprises 17 pairs of pyjamas (plus one top only). Tier three comprises odds and ends. The treasures that can be found fall into two groups. If you find a treasure in group two, you may choose a single giveaway from either group one or group two. If you find a treasure in group one, you may choose a giveaway item in group one only. The majority of treasures are in group two giving members more chances and more choice. As for the odds and ends in group three, they are essentially bonus items and do not require any treasure to be found: If you’d like one of these items (items 65 to 72), simply post (subject to the eligibility conditions outlined below).
As a treasure is found, it will be marked in red font in the wiki. Similarly, as a giveaway is claimed, it too will be changed to red font and the recipient’s name will be placed alongside it. There will be some delay in doing this, unfortunately, as I’ll need to rely on moderators to do the editing so please bear with me.
Proof of find
To prove your treasure find you post a single photo of the item(s). Note, though, there must be no doubt that the photo is yours and hasn't been taken from the internet or elsewhere. The photo of the treasure can have been taken prior to the start of the hunt but what's important is that it's yours and you haven't lifted the photo from somewhere else. To borrow from anat0l's second hunt in 2010:
No previous photos are allowed. No stock photos are allowed. No photos or images borrowed from airline websites are allowed. No manufactured/synthesised photos. No conjuring the photo on your computer and then taking a photo of the computer screen. Essentially, it has to be a photo you have taken in your travels or daily life.
It's also important to remember that your photo must satisfy me (and everyone else) that you’ve met the full criteria of the treasure to be found. So, for example, if a treasure to be found is "a hotel-branded pen in a hotel room", it needs to be clear not just that you've got a hotel-branded pen but that the photo has been taken in a hotel room.
Importantly, no personal information should be shown in the photo; that's of no interest. For example, if a treasure is a boarding pass or hotel bill, the name and contact details are never going to be relevant so scrub it out.
The cost
Naturally, the items are free. However, at the end of the hunt, I will PM the recipients with an address to which you will need to send a self-addressed pre-paid satchel (or stamped, self-addressed envelope for items 57 to 64) so I can send the item to you. Please be conscious of both the weight and size of your item(s) when purchasing a satchel and send me a PM if you’d like me to give you an idea. You're free to do with the items what you want but I do ask you don't sell them. Importantly, there will be a delay in getting the items to you. I will be overseas until the last week of February so, my apologies, but you’re unlikely to receive your items before March. It probably would have been best for me to wait until I got back but I got the ball rolling with admin before I’d properly considered how long I’d be away. However, if you’re the recipient of an item numbered 57 to 64 and need these urgently, I can drop them in the mail to you as it’s only the cost of a postage stamp.
Eligibility
To participate in the hunt you must have joined AFF no later than November 2018 and have at least 30 posts. To allow as many people as possible to grab a giveaway item you are only allowed to snap up one item in any 12 hour period. So, for example, if you post a treasure find at, say, 8.30am and I later confirm the find, you must wait until 8.30pm before asking for another item by way of another treasure find. (Note, the 12 hour period begins from when you post your find, not from when I confirm it.) This period may be relaxed down the track if there are not many participants or to speed things up a little. Moderators are eligible to participate but not for the first 24 hours.
What's on offer
The 72 items on offer will shortly be placed in the Wiki, kindly (and with much time and effort) created by support.
And here's a link to some cheap and nasty photos of the giveaway.
The pyjamas are a mixture of new and used. If they are used, they have only been used once on-board the aircraft (not by me) and have been laundered. The pyjamas may well smell of camphor and other insect-repelling odours. As far as I can tell the amenity kits are also unused, except where I have noted otherwise.
Departure time
The hunt will officially begin between 10am and 12pm Adelaide time this Sunday 27 January so don’t overdo it on Australia Day! Admin or support will officially kick the hunt off by way of a post in this thread. At that time, the treasures to be found will be added to the Wiki. In the meantime, please post any questions or seek clarification on any of the above, including the giveaway items on offer.
Why AFF and not charities?
I give a significant amount of travel stuff to two shelters. Every time I go to a hotel I clean out the complimentary soaps, toothbrushes and combs and they go to where they are needed. Two weeks ago three shoeboxes full of the stuff went to two local charities.
My intention in offering up these kits and pyjamas on AFF is because I acknowledge that not everyone gets a chance to fly beyond Y and even less far forward than J. AFF members are lovers of flying and I'd like to share some of my good fortune with them.
Confusing?
I apologise if this is too confusing. What can I say? I’ve been reading Qantas T&Cs for too many years to make it straightforward!
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I know its the Waikiki HGI (stayed there) but took the photo from a friends room across the street.
