Another Year on AFF

[travelislife]

Great thread.

I spent 2 years travelling the world and didn't even know this site or FT existed which was quite unfortunate. It wasn't until I was back in to the world of full time work and happened to start working FIFO that I happened across the world of FF programmes and the above sites through a google search. It has changed the way I travel.

This site has taught me many things, but the biggest one is premium travel at economy prices. Tomorrow I am getting on a plane in business class (RIP BMI) with my girlfriend for the third such trip since joining up. The other thing I like about this site over FT is the community, it feels more friendly, even if some topics seem to go astray. I have only met one other AFFer, Simo, but would love to meet more, aand the generosity of this place is brilliant (shout out to JohnK for the QC pass before I became Gold).

Looking forward to learning and contributing more in 2013.

Merry Christmas and a happy nnew year from the pointy end.

TIL.

 

[mella2007]

My first post was 5 years...something about looking up Mileage Plus info for Australians and that's how I joined. I've only been really active on it since early this year, as was (and still but not so much) on FT which has helped me with some International programs not talked about much here in Oz.

I have learnt so much from being on the forums...and now Mr Mella is quite happy to enjoy the perks that come along with knowledge and no longer questions why I do the weird stuff I do now

As travel is part of my job..however all self funded...it's giving me the chance to experience more and pass on bits and pieces to benefit people I know, and hopefully the odd tip here in the forums.

Shaun and Greg were the 1st day AFF'ers I met, and were very welcoming! Had a lovely time at my first event the other night, and everyone was friendly ..so no longer worried about turning up not knowing anyone! Ironically apart from MunitalP on the day, the first member I sat down to chat with was TonyHancock and his lovely partner...and he is a great guy!

 

[AVC]

My wife found the site through Google, looking for a cheaper ticket into the QP.

Then, my knowlegdeg of points, upgrades, status, and awards going up in leaps and bounds thanks to the knowledge and expertise found here. I thank you all.

A happy and safe festive season to all, and here's to a great new year for all.

 

[yo yo ma]

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)

I did this with wife but as we boarded I asked if she can sit up the front and I will head down the back... there was no issues with it. There's a hint for Mr Pippy!

 

[Grooba]

I joined FT after chatting to Febs who I'd seen post some helpful posts at another form we both shared (OCAU). I'd just taken on a new role which involved travel and he pointed me towards FT. From there I'd noticed serfty making some informative posts and I'd clicked his "utilities" link and noticed AFF. I'm pretty sure that's how it happened anyway, the endless lounges and alcohol consumption is hindering the memory somewhat.

That was almost 5 years ago.

So much information here and a great bunch of people, thanks you to everyone who makes this possible.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to all.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Great post Tony, my own experience is via our old friend Google. Joined in 2009 coinciding with an increase in both work and leisure travel. Have learned more here in three years than a lifetime of Google searches. I have also enjoyed meeting AFF'ers and FT'ers at meets and various airport lounges and my travel experience is much richer for having done so.
Hope to contribute and learn for many more years

PF

 

[Blinky]

I think I mentioned it another thread, but I found this place googling Etihad business class, and found some great travel logs (more please, by the way). This has been a terrific resource for me, and a friendly place, even though I'm still pretty much a noob.

I often come here to escape the flame wars on other forums I frequent (mainly the skeptical JREF forum). The debates with Americans about gun control are truly depressing.

Anyway, cheers to all.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Good OP.

In my case what lead me to AFF was "The Pudding Guy".
Stumbled across his story somewhere, and that lead to a flurry of research. Not sure if 6 years ago I was using Google, or one of the other search engines.

Researching the Pudding Guy I came across Flyertalk and then in turn AFF. While Flyertalk is larger, AFF for someone based in Australia became the more useful and valuable site.

Eureka!!!!! Reading both was a real turning point with the realisation that there was a multitude of ways to enhance ones travel experience - from earning points, to gaining the best currency conversion with no ATM fees (Wizard), to thinking of FF programs of offshore carriers, to thinking alliance and not just airline, to status runs, mattress runs...and the list just goes on and on.

It changed the way I thought, it changed the way I viewed travel......and it certainly changed how I travelled.


But probably the most valuable lesson I learnt from reading of the exploits of The Pudding Guy, and many others with similar tales for he was not unique, was to use the words of John Kennedy Sr "At least DO SOMETHING! DO! Don't think, don't hope, do!

In short when you see an opportunity, act, and act decisively for opportunities in the FF world are often fleeting. But if you do act, then the pots of FF gold are to be had in the rainbows. The biggest opportunities are often the most transient.

The axiom of our paradigm is to seek and ye shall find. Opportunities will continually present. Some opportunities may seem to good to be true, but if you wait too long, or do not work hard enough at it , the moment will be lost.

Most weeks I meet people that describe my recent travels as "lucky". If I describe to most how they too can travel in style cheaply, mostly I am met with , but.....

 

[11sjw]

Great post Tony, my own experience is via our old friend Google. Joined in 2009 coinciding with an increase in both work and leisure travel. Have learned more here in three years than a lifetime of Google searches. I have also enjoyed meeting AFF'ers and FT'ers at meets and various airport lounges and my travel experience is much richer for having done so.
Hope to contribute and learn for many more years

PF

We have very similar tales Princess. Sept '09 for me. Enjoyed several get togethers in Perth.

(@LindsayWilson, done anything with the Hi Viz shirt as yet???)

Can see my work travel dropping off a bit in the 2nd half of 2013. I have managed to convince my wife to go on a holiday to HKG, the proviso was that I was not to spend one actual cent on a flight. This meant there was a pile of points spent but we'll be "J'ing" it up so I don't care.

The lessons I've picked up are more to do with churning credit cards for the joining bonuses, what I can do with a status once achieved (rather than achieving it cheaply, although I retain the knowledge re YUPP's), how hawkish one needs to be when booking premium classic award seats on QF (spent approx 3 months from t-355 checking several times a day prior to booking SYD-HNL in Oct 2011 ).

I only hope that someone has benefitted from any of my ramblings

Great OP Mr DYKWIA and Happy 2013 all.

 

[Rhiannon]

I recall that I too am a Google referral, quite some years ago. I lurked for a long time before joining, and then lurked for years before posting. But the amazing amount I learnt in the meantime from all the knowledgeable and helpful members has improved my travel experience greatly. I had never paid much attention to the difference between levels, and did not realise the benefits of WP over SG, which I had been for some years. Now on my 3rd year of WP, enjoying my use of the J lounges, a few fabulous F lounge visits, and preferences in seating and upgrades (paid only so far). I had known nothing of Status Runs, and probably would have ignored the DSC emails, which this year I managed to exploit to the tune of around 900 SCs (yay! almost requalified with 9 months to go - a first!)

So many thanks to all of you, and best wishes for a wonderful festive season and smooth flying in 2013 (more of it up the pointy end).

 

[cove]

Several of my business acquaintances managed to take up some ideas and now have 2 commas in their points accounts. Others thought it was too hard and did not bother. I have enjoyed reading the success stories of our members here on AFF and I hope 2013 is a year where more succeed in their flying goals especially the excitement of that first redemption flight.