Point Hacks' purchase of AFF

[Must...Fly!]

Lucky you then I guess. I don’t eat them, but who cares, if people get excited about 100 points then that’s ok by me, no need to explain.

As long as I've been a member on here there has always been excitement about earning any amount of bonus points, whether that's from using an AMEX at Woolies in the old days for 3ppd, or taking advantage of flybuys offers of 2,000pts for a Netflix gift card.

 

[QF029]

I just got the latest PH email and the email subject line is:

" We flew Business Class to Nouméa for just $217 return. Here's how!"

It's definitely not a one off.

 

[aikman]

I just got thr latest PH email and the email subject is:

" We flew Business Class to Nouméa for just $217 return. Here's how!"

It's definitely not a one off.

Strangely, all of their "business class for $100" articles do not have a public comments section at the end.

I'm surprised they haven't gone a step further and paid for the taxes with points so they can call their article "Business class for $0"

 

[jbman]

I used to use PH as my goto for finding decent credit card deals, however I noticed the list started to get smaller. I worked out they trimmed the card providers they were listing to only ones they were getting affiliate royalties from. At that point I moved on from using the site.

Hopefully before being a paid member on AFF will ensure we are not the product and offer the same benefits we have now.

 

[levelnine]

I used to use PH as my goto for finding decent credit card deals, however I noticed the list started to get smaller. I worked out they trimmed the card providers they were listing to only ones they were getting affiliate royalties from. At that point I moved on from using the site.

It's a very common business model copied from the US. There are huge frequent flyer sites in the US that exist purely to flog affiliate products — The Points Guy is the most notorious example. As a result, you get a very curtailed and thus distorted list of credit card (and other points earning) options.

 

[SYD]

I just got the latest PH email and the email subject line is:

" We flew Business Class to Nouméa for just $217 return. Here's how!"

It's definitely not a one off.

The current (or very recent Sale) was about $500 return.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Will be curious to see how this evolves. Things change, and Clifford deserves recognition and reward for what's been a great resource.

Demographics change too, as I imagine these forums have. I'm a lifelong AvGeek who eventually grew up and got a good job that sends me around APAC, and am privileged to have a salary that allows me to do plenty of premium leisure flying too. It's a resource and a hobby, and I've found the mix of people on this site aligns well with that and I love it.

I read something recently about FlyerTalk struggling compared to the past and my own experience there has been that it's increasingly become a one-off place where people go to complain. That's fine, I suppose, we all need a whinge sometimes; but I don't want to live in it, and I wonder if that's part of what's turned people away. It's part of what led me here. We shall see.

 

[andye]

I haven't been on FT for a while but I found it could be quite robust at times. If as a stressed infrequent flyer you dared to ask a common question (eg I've booked without my middle name) you'd probably get a flea in your ear whereas here you'll get a courteous response in a few minutes

 

[SYD]

I haven't been on FT for a while but I found it could be quite robust at times. If as a stressed infrequent flyer you dared to ask a common question (eg I've booked without my middle name) you'd probably get a flea in your ear whereas here you'll get a courteous response in a few minutes

There is/was a quaint spinoff for peeps that didn’t like the FT agro. Whilst very friendly, it wasn’t very useful…

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

I haven't been on FT for a while but I found it could be quite robust at times.

It was (and still can at times) be a great resource but in general I've felt it's gone downhill, and it's become more difficult to seek advice on more difficult issues, as many with the expertise seem to have stepped away a bit.

I don't mean that to sound elitist lest "the masses" flock here; it's simply about the knowledge and, importantly, willingness to contribute.

 

[SYD]

It was (and still can at times) be a great resource but in general I've felt it's gone downhill, and it's become more difficult to seek advice on more difficult issues, as many with the expertise seem to have stepped away a bit.

I don't mean that to sound elitist lest "the masses" flock here; it's simply about the knowledge and, importantly, willingness to contribute.

I book marked this, but rarely look anywhere else over there…

Premium Fare Deals - FlyerTalk Forums

Premium Fare Deals - Discuss specific premium fare code 'good deals' including fare deals that book into premium economy, business and first class cabins.

www.flyertalk.com

Occasionally, if I remember I might scroll through some relevant forums. Or go looking for something specific to see what’s being discussed. All of which you can do without the need of a virtual asbestos suit . Actually, the link I posted seems to be less flamethrower worthy than some others.

Personally, I can’t see AFF getting that agro.

 

[ayebee]

I am happy to pay for something that benefits me, so as long as the status quo remains I am intending to continue my membership.

Agree entirely.
Maybe my message was (subconsciously) for the new owners.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Personally, I can’t see AFF getting that agro.

Agree - it's just too often the weird status quo over there.

 

[MARTINE]

Agree - it's just too often the weird status quo over there.

I will not continue if there is targetted personal advertising or disrespectful exchanges. There should be zero tolerance for humiliating newbies who ask (apparant) travel related basic questions.
This is a forum and exchange of ideas not final year university exams.
We shall see

 

[djkelly69]

Not sure if it was related to the PH buy out, and it is gone now, but I am sure there was an ability to upvote individual comments for a couple of hours this morning?

 

[support]

Not sure if it was related to the PH buy out, and it is gone now, but I am sure there was an ability to upvote individual comments for a couple of hours this morning?

In a "question thread" where the OP or a moderator has denoted the thread as being a "question", there is the ability to up and down vote responses, and select the best answer (by the OP or a moderator). These threads aren't used as often as I think they should be, as the main advantage to them is that the best answer is then highlighted at the top of each page if a multi-page thread so future seekers of the answer don't have to dig.

It was a feature of the last major Xenforo release, announced in June 2020 (link to announcement).

And an example of an answered question thread (link).

 

[Seat0B]

I will not continue if there is targetted personal advertising or disrespectful exchanges. There should be zero tolerance for humiliating newbies who ask (apparant) travel related basic questions.
This is a forum and exchange of ideas not final year university exams.
We shall see

Well said @MARTINE. I totally agree - we were all newbies once. I’m happy to keep paying as a supporter to get ad free access to a friendly and helpful group tht almost never stoops to disrespect and aggro. And a big thank you to the moderators for keeping it that way.

if that changes, I will quit.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

I just got the latest PH email and the email subject line is:

" We flew Business Class to Nouméa for just $217 return. Here's how!"

It's definitely not a one off.

I sent them a message on social media calling them out on this. They weren’t the slightest bit interested, bordered on rude.

 

[NoName]

I sent them a message on social media calling them out on this. They weren’t the slightest bit interested, bordered on rude.

I made a comment on one of those stories pointing out that there is a cost to acquire the miles. Came back the next day and it had been deleted.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

I made a comment on one of those stories pointing out that there is a cost to acquire the miles. Came back the next day and it had been deleted.

This was the response I received:

Hi, thanks for your feedback. Assuming you mean the recent Nouméa report, we say '$217 return using Qantas Points' because that is how much the reward objectively costs, and the short headline fairly reflects Qantas Points are being spent. The number of points varies, so the article includes the full details of how many points are needed for the various routes.

Completely agree with your point @NoName - there is a cost to acquire the points, which PH are deliberately downplaying, perhaps in an attempt to “sell” more credit card signups.

Here’s another example - the reward doesn’t cost “just $79”. It costs $79 plus the cost of acquiring a whole bunch of points.