Living in the air

[alieninperth]

Last year, a young man walked into the Seattle airport and took the next flight to anywhere — and he hasn't come down since

Read more: Up in the Air: Meet the Man Who Flies Around the World for Free | Rolling Stone
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook


Quite and interesting story on everyone's favourite blogger, Lucky! Inspiring at times, depressing at others. I certainly got the feeling that he is running away from something, but unfortunately he doesn't know what that is.

 

[whoistheg]

Good read..

Did not list a lot of tips he uses to get really good deals.

Mostly US credit cards...

 

[snabbu]

Great read. Most certainly takes it to another level but on the other hand I feel somewhat sad for him.

 

[Danger]

I've got a lot of time for this guy.

I thought the article was really well written, too.

 

[leadman]

A Frequent Flyer?!?!?

I honestly got a bit lost in this article in The Age, I suppose the first thing was the maths! (I know we say the earth is getting smaller, but by THAT much!) Secondly if they want to do an article like this, look home, as I know many of the members here on AFF have better stories (better maths and are real FF's).


Frequent flyer Ben Schlappig travels the world without paying

 

[snabbu]

Re: A Frequent Flyer?!?!?

The rolling stone write up posted yesterday was a wonderful read.

 

[Warks]

Re: A Frequent Flyer?!?!?

I just read the full Rolling Stone article (rather long). One of my versions of hell. Possibly worse than being permanently on a cruise ship. Or a CityRail train.

 

[chelzmalee]

Re: A Frequent Flyer?!?!?

I enjoy flying, but gosh, it's mainly for the destination.

Never. Going. To. Happen.

 

[Joshua]

Re: A Frequent Flyer?!?!?

I would also say I enjoy flying (similarly with very frequent international J/F) but I also want to do something in life. Hopefully that isn't being too judgemental!

That said sometimes I've read that blog and others similar only to be left feeling like they could actually do better. They do provide a good base reference however if you're looking into new programs.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Good read..

Did not list a lot of tips he uses to get really good deals.

Mostly US credit cards...

There's nothing majorly 'new' in terms of his tricks... he uses frequent flyer programs like the rest of us, a combination of buying miles, earning points through credit card churn, and actual flying (several mistake AA fares to PEK featured recently). His methods for securing award seats are all on his site, free of charge

No doubt as a heavy promoter of credit cards (he gets paid for every referral), he probably doesn't have to worry about whether those cards are going to get approved or not!?

He has a good site - I don't always agree with his handling of 'social' issues (he likes to publish pictures and stories which can be detrimental to the crew), but he's young. Hopefully he'll learn how to moderate some of that down the track.

 

[travelislife]

Re: A Frequent Flyer?!?!?

The Age article is pretty useless. If interested read the Rolling Stone article, although it is pretty long.

Like anything it is really just his job now. In this day and age for his site to be successful he needs to stay relevant and keep posting, to do so he needs to keep travelling!

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Re: A Frequent Flyer?!?!?

"Mr Schlappig is a high-profile member of The Hobby, an online community devoted to scrounging maximum value out of airlines."

I think someone's a bit confused...

 

[SeatBackForward]

Re: A Frequent Flyer?!?!?

Can this thread be combined with the other one about the same ?

 

[leadman]

Re: A Frequent Flyer?!?!?

Can this thread be combined with the other one about the same ?

Of course, no use in doubling up......

 

[Warks]

Re: A Frequent Flyer?!?!?

Imagine buying silver dollars on your credit card for the points and then using the dollars to pay for things! They'd love you for that.

 

[burmans]

Re: A Frequent Flyer?!?!?

Imagine buying silver dollars on your credit card for the points and then using the dollars to pay for things! They'd love you for that.

Yeah just imagine (since that particular deal is long gone).

 

[Princess Fiona]

The appearance on Sunrise this morning was priceless
A flurry of Ch7 viewers joining AA to credit their once a year JQ flights to DPS :mrgreen:
https://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/watch/29002813/frequent-flyer-outsmarts-airlines/

Ben will be on tomorrow answering questions put by viewers

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The appearance on Sunrise this morning was priceless
A flurry of Ch7 viewers joining AA to credit their once a year JQ flights to DPS :mrgreen:
https://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/watch/29002813/frequent-flyer-outsmarts-airlines/

Ben will be on tomorrow answering questions put by viewers

Wow! That's certainly put a potential dent in the Virgin and Qantas programs in terms of public perception.

Of course Ben's advice is good for full fare tickets, but not necessarily so for discounted ones. And ignores availability being open at 365 days for QF customers but a month less for AA ones. And ignored credit card earn and everyday rewards and the like.

 

[JohnM]

A flurry of Ch7 viewers joining AA to credit their once a year JQ flights to DPS :mrgreen:

Nasty, PF, very nasty :mrgreen:.

 

[Princess Fiona]

It will be interesting to see what the question session is like tomorrow.
The activity on social media today has been quite entertaining