Point Collectors Anonymous

[ross11]

I actually feel more satisfied when points balance drops to zero (or close to), than earning them.

 

[11sjw]

I tend to get giddy when I have the desired balance and am looking at destinations/options.

 

[Saltywings]

I actually feel more satisfied when points balance drops to zero (or close to), than earning them.

Agreed, especially as their value really only has one direction to go in the long run: down.

Still, I get a rush whenever a big purchase earns points w/o any payment costs: David Jones got my loyalty today with 7PPD via the QF Online Mall. 130k QF points never arrived so easy (not to pension 30k+ Amex MR on top)

 

[cove]

At lunch today I was in a whole group who travel in economy. I thought how quaint to be doing this at their age. They made it sound incredibly difficult to do some credit card sign ups each year. At that stage I changed the conversation.
When I got home for dinner the discussion was about upgrades, first class travel and other normal stuff.

 

[SOPOOR]

At lunch today I was in a whole group who travel in economy. I thought how quaint to be doing this at their age. They made it sound incredibly difficult to do some credit card sign ups each year. At that stage I changed the conversation.

I find it odd too.

It's the people who whine about things the most are the most lazy in doing small things for maximum benefit

 

[Saltywings]

I find it odd too.

It's the people who whine about things the most are the most lazy in doing small things for maximum benefit

Like someone else who has already said what I'm about to say, I wouldn't actually underestimate the amount of time and effort it takes to become well-versed in flight hacking. By definition, once a skill is sufficiently developed, it requires minimum effort to use.

I'm 100% sure I'd be shocked if every hour related to my FF research (articles, forums, going through actual booking processes) was tallied up - it would probably, literally add up to weeks of full-time equivalent work. It's just that for us AFFers, it's an enjoyable past time. I agree that at a high level of mastery, it certainly is a case of doing 'small things' for 'maximum benefit' - but it took a lot of work to get there, and we never really stop either. Some people will always have reasons not to get into the game - my parents would also fall into the category of your so-called 'lazy whiners', using this example.

But that's why they have me

 

[SOPOOR]

Like someone else who has already said what I'm about to say, I wouldn't actually underestimate the amount of time and effort it takes to become well-versed in flight hacking. By definition, once a skill is sufficiently developed, it requires minimum effort to use.

I'm 100% sure I'd be shocked if every hour related to my FF research (articles, forums, going through actual booking processes) was tallied up - it would probably, literally add up to weeks of full-time equivalent work. It's just that for us AFFers, it's an enjoyable past time. I agree that at a high level of mastery, it certainly is a case of doing 'small things' for 'maximum benefit' - but it took a lot of work to get there, and we never really stop either. Some people will always have reasons not to get into the game - my parents would also fall into the category of your so-called 'lazy whiners', using this example.

But that's why they have me

Thats very true but I'm not referring to the knowledge that most on here have.
I'm referring to the basics.

Eg my elderly parents. Wouldn't know what a point is, or what program they are on.

However they started years before me.
And now they have a citi bank fee free for life and a decent points balance. Alabeit they've never used their points. But they understaned the basics of no. Annual fee. Pay off monthly. Use credit card card when there is no surcharge. Wait for points to accumulate

I have explained this to younger and more financially in trouble people, and often their reply is, that's too much effort or so. I've got to apply for a credit card!?!?!?

Another example. Is the ING direct $100 referral. So many of them say it's easy money, but I've got no referrals from them

 

[cove]

I really need to travel a bit more because our points and Miles stash has grown since last year. We only have Fiji, Los Angeles and London booked on redemptions for the next 6 months.

 

[Xanthe]

My husband doesn't understand all this points business even though I have tried to explain it. He just thinks it's all too much hard work and he would rather pay the cash up front and travel business class that way. As a result, (not having any cash) he hasn't travelled at all. My goal is to fly the three of us round the world in business class in 2 years time for a holiday so everything goes on the points earning credit cards. It's going to be a long hard haul but I regard it as a hobby.

 

[SOPOOR]

My husband doesn't understand all this points business even though I have tried to explain it. He just thinks it's all too much hard work and he would rather pay the cash up front and travel business class that way. As a result, (not having any cash) he hasn't travelled at all. My goal is to fly the three of us round the world in business class in 2 years time for a holiday so everything goes on the points earning credit cards. It's going to be a long hard haul but I regard it as a hobby.

Just to prove a point you could stick him in economy and the rest in business!

 

[Xanthe]

Just to prove a point you could stick him in economy and the rest in business!

LOL …. LOL.... serve him right. I can imagine him seething in the back while precious daughter and I loll in the front with our coughtails. Ooooh the delicious joy of it all.
Seriously though, it would be much more fun (and easier to get the points) if he would be a good chap and join the team.

 

[SOPOOR]

LOL …. LOL.... serve him right. I can imagine him seething in the back while precious daughter and I loll in the front with our coughtails. Ooooh the delicious joy of it all.
Seriously though, it would be much more fun (and easier to get the points) if he would be a good chap and join the team.

Or you could sell him the ticket for cash and use the cash on whatever you please

 

[cove]

Mrscove is certain that we don’t need any more CC applications anytime soon.
Just received a slew of ATO quarterlies so it is game on in July. My youngest son and older brother have both been in Europe so I have to help them out next month.
I think my son may be flying home from Russia with a mixture of First and Business flights. He has enjoyed the soccer despite Australia getting eliminated.

 

[11sjw]

My husband doesn't understand all this points business even though I have tried to explain it. He just thinks it's all too much hard work and he would rather pay the cash up front and travel business class that way. As a result, (not having any cash) he hasn't travelled at all. My goal is to fly the three of us round the world in business class in 2 years time for a holiday so everything goes on the points earning credit cards. It's going to be a long hard haul but I regard it as a hobby.

Churn you credit cards every 6 months or so and collect those juicy sign up bonuses.

 

[Drakecula]

Churn you credit cards every 6 months or so and collect those juicy sign up bonuses.

This is what I have been doing a bit of lately, and we're on track to have enough points to get a RTW J trip. I wish you all the luck in running up the points Xanthe. It's nice to have a goal to work towards.

P.S. Is Xanthe a reference to the books by Piers Anthony? I like that series, full of puns!

 

[Xanthe]

This is what I have been doing a bit of lately, and we're on track to have enough points to get a RTW J trip. I wish you all the luck in running up the points Xanthe. It's nice to have a goal to work towards.

P.S. Is Xanthe a reference to the books by Piers Anthony? I like that series, full of puns!

Thanks for the great advice re churning but I have just done my credit score a disservice by applying for a dragon and supplying huge amounts of paperwork and failing at the last hurdle of an ITR less than 18 months old. They are definitely not very smart as I supplied with all the proof they needed.
And Yes.... I love Piers Anthony and that was part of the name. The other bit is the Ancient Greek … Xanthus was the magical golden horse that counselled and aligned with Achilles. The views from my place are pure gold and we do have horses. So many allegories.

 

[JohnK]

Like someone else who has already said what I'm about to say, I wouldn't actually underestimate the amount of time and effort it takes to become well-versed in flight hacking. By definition, once a skill is sufficiently developed, it requires minimum effort to use.

I'm not an expert points collector and I'm not as serious as some here but collecting points and travelling is time consuming. Can take up to 2-3 hours/day which to a lot of people is wasted time. I find this whole loyalty game has control of my life.

P.S. I love my family. I love travelling. I love golf. How I get there or where I stay is not that important.

 

[daft009]

so I currently feel I'm going a little crazy trying to max things out till the AMEX April deval date...uhoh.
affecting my normal day to day work

anybody else?

 

[SOPOOR]

so I currently feel I'm going a little crazy trying to max things out till the AMEX April deval date...uhoh.
affecting my normal day to day work

anybody else?

Me!
Im thinking of things i can prepay in advance. Especiallly 3ppd purchaes

 

[carls888]

Me too! Trying to factor in the cash flow and how much we spend p.a in certain places so as I can "prepay"...