Another Year on AFF

[TonyHancock]

I can't remember what Google search led me to AFF, for it was definitely a Google search that led me here. Shear weight of odds would also suggest serfty probably answered my question in a long standing thread somewhere. I didn't really expect to be posting here two and a bit years later!

It took me over two years to work out what most here already know. We are all very, very different in our travel desires and needs. I couldn't come to terms with why anyone would actually like to fly, or why people would split points between oneworld airlines, or fly to go on holiday. All of these things were, indeed are, alien to me. I suspect there are a few of you aghast at my thoughts, and probably 99% of you who do not come close to sharing my view.

For those of you that read my blog and my posts you will know that travel plays a large part in my life...to the tune of 253,000 miles in this calendar year. I use my points only for work travel and rely heavily on JASA's and FASA's. The prospect of using my leisure time for travel frightens me! (Although I have made a status run and been to two AFF meets outside of my home town this year - major firsts for me.)

With 253,000 miles under my belt you would think that I view myself as a frequent flyer....but I am in awe of johnk and medhead and their commutes. (This post was started after reading johnk's 2012 monthly travel updates. 124 sectors in 2012.:shock Then there is jobu 11,000 SC's. :shock:

The great thing for me has been learning from those whose travel patterns are so completely different to mine. There is always something to pick up in the trip reports and info threads. munitalP's great thread on packing means I am a vacuum bag convert and serfty's insights on YUPP's will see me making my first one in 2013. I'm sitting in better seats than I used to, and making the most of the lounges. I have picked up a couple of, what I consider, pretty good BA J/F deals that I simply would not have seen without posts here. (Of course there was the down side of seeing drron's shorts. )

Meeting members has been good fun too, with two Xmas do's, a mid year Xmas do, a MEL meet up in the DJ lounge, which I believe LiamR laid on to help me maintain my PC status , and HVR's CBR leaving do. I have met a lot of people who love flying, I still don't understand why. (I'm trying folks, please be patient with me!!)

I'm looking forward to 2013 on AFF, well it has to be better than my travel schedule!!!

Have a great "festive" season and happy travels in 2013!

 

[JohnK]

All the best to you and the rest of AFF for 2013.

I think this year was my biggest in terms of flights and miles flown. But I love flying and can just easily be happy in economy.

My year starts off with a bang on 01 January 2013 with a Thai Air Asia flight DMK-CNX! :shock:

 

[JessicaTam]

To be honest TonyHancock, I am not sure I understand why you don't understand. But I do agree that it has been a great year on AFF (my first) and there is so much more to learn. Bring on 2013 and see you in a lounge somewhere...

 

[nlagalle]

I've been on here a few years now and I think it was a google search that let me here. Although I do know one member here from outside AFF.

This year is about to be my biggest year for flights, as i am pretty much commuting weekly to SYD at the moment.

However my greatest joy this year has been reading about Tony's Priority Boarding failures! sorry Tony, I couldn't help myself...

 

[fersea]

I am finding this forum very addictive.

 

[amaroo]

Good thread.

AFF is the second internet thingy I've joined. My first was FT after I had some dramas with a BA booking....long story short - started a thread asking for help.....received assistance & BA sorted the problem.

After awhile (same month) I found AFF & figured it was a better fit for me.....still post on FT however, AFF is my favourite.

I stopped traveling for work some three years ago...so my frequent flying days have dropped significantly. These days flights are for family holidays & I enjoy it immensely......I do not miss weekly commuting, being away from my family or the endless clock watching.

 

[ashleyn]

Good post. I visit this forum daily, post quite regularly and agree / disagree with opinions equally. I've been flying since about 25BC but until this year have not become aware of SG, WP, status runs and F lounges. Thanks to the posters and merry Xmas to you all.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I am coming up to a decade on this site,and enjoy, learn and improve my habits daily.

I have done many many miles and each trip I continue to learn something new.

If you contribute it does come back to you in many other ways.

Happy landings

 

[moa999]

great post but are you sure it was google...

not bing, (definitely not)
or yahoo, looksmart, anzwers, inktomi



Anyhow. Great to see AFF has stood the test of time.

 

[Sprucegoose]

great post but are you sure it was google...

not bing, (definitely not)
or yahoo, looksmart, anzwers, inktomi



Anyhow. Great to see AFF has stood the test of time.

Good to see Mr Hancock standing the Test of time as well.

 

[Shelf]

Merry Xmas all.

As a leisure only traveller I've found this website to be invaluable

I've met a few AFF members this year (Ansett, Hvr, Boylero & simongr), maybe I'll try and get along to an AFF meet next year.

 

[drron]

Tony it was a very good day when you were directed towards AFF.I have enjoyed your posts(despite the references to my shorts).
I hope that everyone here is enjoying Christmas day.
And especially wishing everyone safe and enjoyable travels for 2013.

A special thought for those of you I know are having their first Christmas without significant family members.I know it can be a time of very mixed emotions.

 

[legroom]

I spend more time here on AFF than my previous hobby forums.

Learning the ropes is so much fun: aiming for WP, status runs, 3E/F vs 5 A/K etc....

I used to be happy clutching a BP going towards the far end of the plane sitting right next to the lavatory, disembarking last off the plane.

But now my wife is looking at me like an alien when I started to discuss the need for a status run in 2013 ! "what run ?", she inquired.

Best wishes to all good people here on AFF

PS: I tried to but cannot recall what Google search led me to AFF

 

[Jkyn]

Also A google search, that led me to AFF. Has been a good year with with lots great info, some that's that has yet to be put to good use, but lots that has. A few AFF events attended and enjoyed them all. Good to meet up with people who lead lives that have them spending hours in lounges on flights by choice or circumstance. Looking forward to what 2013 brings. Merry Christmas to all those that I have met and to those that I will meet in 2013.

 

[blackcat20]

Another google-finder, when I was planning an overseas trip last year. I'm not the most frequent of flyers, but I still enjoy being here. Merry Christmas all

 

[cove]

Have just started reading "Nothing To Envy" Love,Life and Death In North Korea seeing I have no plan to go there any time soon.
It is interesting that I am unsure who put me into AFF but it is way better than other sites as you can get to all sorts of places that others just dream about. It may have been from a travel news article that prompted me to google it.
i have enjoyed TonyHancocks travels but remain amazed at the idea of going to old Blighty 6 times in a year but as Tony points out we have a number of travellers who are really on a plane many days each year.
Just saw my sister in law and my niece's reaction to a London run in school holidays so they were very excited.That was an easy Christmas present through Singapore Air.
Great reporting Tony!

 

[tuapekastar]

Nice post Hancock!

I believe I came to AFF via a reference to it in a newspaper article. Did the usual 'lurk for a while' thing until I had a question to post. Very glad I found it, what an excellent community and resource. 10 years ago I never would have contemplated being WP (I probably didn't even know it existed), flying F, and all the other little perks I now enjoy, primarily as a result of the generous discourse of knowledge this site provides.

Happy travels to all in 2013, and long live AFF!

 

[kpc]

Next March, I will have been on AFF for 10 years! Initially, invited over here by one Lindsay Wilson:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....wood-preferred-guest-promotion-50-a-4742.html

It was very quiet in the early days, with questions going weeks unanswered but the site has gone from strength to strength over the last few years.

I have learnt so much from this site from Airline to Hotel loyalty programs, status runs, airline / hotel credit card promos, mistake rates and have met many, many AFFers in person over that time, many of whom I would count as friends!

Over the 10 years (almost), I have become really addicted to travel, and this site, and really do thank Clifford the owner and founder of AFF for setting the site up and maintaining it for all of us to enjoy!

This year I have been to some of my dream destinations including Victoria Falls, a safari in Africa, Easter Island and Machu Picchu, and of course AFFers have helped me so much in my planning for these trips! Thank you!!
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....uide/safari-advise-based-cape-town-31941.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/destination-guide/layover-tour-in-jnb-43653.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....questions/advice-re-compact-camera-43237.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ns/passport-running-out-pages-size-35660.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....e/critique-peru-itinerary-add-lake-35367.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....rogram/booking-award-flight-la-bet-35248.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....estions/lans-south-america-airpass-33897.html

 

[pippy]

Well I have been here less than 12 months, prior to mrpippy's new job which has seen him do a modest amount of travel we were leisure only flyers. We have both however always enjoyed flying.

So by the end of January Mr Pippy will be a qff gold, he will have completed his first JASA status run to the Gold Coast on a double SC offer, (well he is going business I am going red e deal at the back of the plane) and will have had our first visit to the J domestic lounge for breakfast in Sydney. We also have shiney new edr credit card and a new amex discovery card ticking over points, and if not for this community I would have had no clue about anything, so to everyone a big thank you and I look forward to another good year to come.

 

[zig]

Nice post Tony.
I also came here via google, although I can't recall the details, I'm sure I was desperately trying to find a way out of Y. I'm not a FF for work, but just a traveller with champagne tastes and sadly a beer budget. I'm very happy to say that since finding the site I have enjoyed learning so much from the experts here on loyalty programs, credit cards, hotels etc and I haven't sat in an international Y cabin since.
Merry Christmas to everyone, and thanks for the tips, trick and trip reports. Looking forward to 2013.