How much do you tell your family and friends about travel deals/FF sweetspot etc?

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smit0847

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What do you tell your family and friends when they ask 'how do you manage to travel in J or F?' or 'why are you going to Guam?' or 'why are you flying that particular airline' or 'how come you can do all these things but I can't?'

I have a few close friends who I have explained various deals to (such as USDM - had an absolute hoot taking my best mate to Japan and Guam a few months ago ll J) but they are complicated and have loads of rules and quirks so they really have to have an interest in it to understand it (my parents dont get it). I have even more friends that just complain about how unfair it is and how lucky I am but when I start to explain it they just zone out because they are not interested enough to fix a problem - they would prefer to just complain about it.

While I'd be happy to share something like .br with friends I wouldn't try and explain USDM to someone I ran into on the street - I just coyly say 'oh, I used points'.

(By the way a lot of people here obviously travel weekly for work so have more points than they know what to do with. I'm talking about those of us who don't and have to find creative ways to get points).
 
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I'll tell people about a good deal that I have taken advantage of, but I'll rarely go into any great detail. I've found that as soon as you put any sort of restriction on it (such as leave on Tuesday morning, you'll pay half what you'll otherwise pay) they then decide that they'd rather do the standard here-there-here flights than play any games.

As I've said in the past, I know friends with points balances of 10 times what I have (now more, since I burnt some points last year for some J upgrades) and yet feel that FF points are useless because they are not exactly willing to be the slightest bit flexible.
 
My parents think I am nuts and go "I don't want to know" - but when they travel on my points (or their points that I have brought via promotions) I make sure they know why they are flying.

Friends at work - "what scheme are you doing now?" - and they laugh but not really interested (however I may have hooked one up to the Macquarie credit card) - but I don't like talking about too many of methods as I don't want to break them.

Other friends - they ask I explain and get the lost look in their eyes so I don't bother.

Some friends are right into it *wave HI to you all*

However - mistake fares or really good bargains I will let my family/friends/work mates know about especially if its a simple A to B
 
I hear the 'it's too hard' lament way too often to be bothered telling people anymore. That's why AFF functions are a welcome respite and we can talk freely.

And yet, when I'm flying J/F they talk about it like I've won the lottery.
 
Here's an example: my partner is off to Italy with some friends in August. When he asked me what would be a good way to get there, I immediately thought: 'Lifemiles - will be about $2,300-ish in J all the way on something like TG or OS - I'll make sure you get fully-flat beds for the overnight flights' (he ended up using VA points to go EY J).

Tried to explain it to a guy he's travelling with but he thought it was a stupid idea as he 'wouldn't earn any QFF points, there's too many rules and I've never heard of those airlines'. He's now paying $5,000 to go QF Y+ (with the overnight DXB-MXP-DXB legs in 10 across 777 Y).

So my partner would pay half the price to go J all the way instead of twice the price to go Y+ part of the way and Y the rest all to collect, what, 20k lousy QFF points? (he's QF SG).

Stupid.
 
Shrek's totally OK with it as long as he doesn't have to do any of the work :rolleyes:
Any friends I've tried to explain it to have soon had a glazed look come over their eyes. I then switch the conversation to shopping and/or bags (my other obsession) and the glazed look wears off :D
Like Hvr I love attending a Do as it's the only place people really understand me :cool:
 
I get this ALL. THE. TIME.

'It's so unfair'

'You're so lucky'

'I wish I could live like you'

'It's nice for some'

It's interesting as I never really get these kinds of remarks directed my way. Most of them think it's "pretty cool" and leave it at that. In fact, I don't often end up telling them that I travelled in Business or First class anyway (they know where I go, just not how I fly); and if it does get brought up, it's again a quick "wow, cool" and we're back to normal conversation.

To be honest, I haven't told anyone much about these various schemes, nor do I go out of my way to offer such advice or offer to be their "FF points broker". If the few ask how they can do it, I'm not afraid to tell them that although the rewards can be good, it's not a straightforward exercise and they'll need some flexibility. If that turns them off, well then so be it (they will likely be more trouble than worth to get them anything they will be happy with).

The family is a bit more understanding, but the deal has to be very good, not much more than a cash Y fare (think maximum $600 more) and with minimum extra connections for them to jump on board. And of course, I do all the leg work.

The folks have got about 180,000 VFF points between them. They're thinking about how to burn it.... damn what should I do....
 
I tell my parents the truth. They brush it off as just another obsession like smoking, drinking and gambling.

I have tried to help a few friends. Most not interested in the tips as they are more than happy to travel cheapest economy. The few that want help I have done most of the work for them.
 
I've told quite a few about the ATO bonanza. Yet to have anyone fail to ask me a zillion Q's and getting onboard quick smart.

I also advise to spread the load over a few FF schemes - pity I didn't get this advice earlier:(
 
It's interesting as I never really get these kinds of remarks directed my way. Most of them think it's "pretty cool" and leave it at that.

I love my friends but many of them would much rather complain about not having something than go out and get it.
 
How much do you tell your family and friends about travel deals/FF sweetspot ...

My parents couldn't understand the logic of buying points and use them for booking flights. They always thought availability must be one in a million and they would end up getting stuck with them. They were also very sceptical about flying J at the price of Y and asked all kind of questions like "If it's so easy why not everybody do that?". Only after I made some bookings for them, they started taking it more seriously.
My friends don't get how I do it and many of them think I actually pay for J/F. For that reason I prefer not to tell everyone how I fly so they won't get the wrong impression. I did try a few times to explain how it works but they didn't really get it. I guess it's hard to believe until you experience it yourself.
My missus just treats it as an obsession of mine. For her, flying is a way to get from point A to B and it doesn't really matter how it's done.
 
...

The folks have got about 180,000 VFF points between them. They're thinking about how to burn it.... damn what should I do....
188k and about $125 can get a business class return across the Pacific. They just need another 196k so both can do it. :p
 
My parents couldn't understand the logic of buying points and use them for booking flights. They always thought availability must be one in a million and they would end up getting stuck with them. They were also very sceptical about flying J at the price of Y and asked all kind of questions like "If it's so easy why not everybody do that?". Only after I made some bookings for them, they started taking it more seriously.
My friends don't get how I do it and many of them think I actually pay for J/F. For that reason I prefer not to tell everyone how I fly so they won't get the wrong impression. I did try a few times to explain how it works but they didn't really get it. I guess it's hard to believe until you experience it yourself.
My missus just treats it as an obsession of mine. For her, flying is a way to get from point A to B and it doesn't really matter how it's done.

I think a key point raised here is that most people - outside of our FF circles - don't care how you got there. For example, the conversation...

Them: "So, what did you do last summer?"
Me: "Went to Europe."
Them: "Cool! Where did you go?"
Me: "I went to London, Frankfurt and Zurich. Also managed to swing a stop in Hong Kong on the way back home."

After that conversation, you would be lucky if they asked, "How did you get there?" (as in who did you fly), let alone them asking, "Did it cost you much?" Pretty much there's almost no avenue to say something like, "I flew Business (or First) Class," unless you explicitly drop in the conversation that is what you did. (Same thing applies to your staying at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe on the cheap or what not - lucky if it comes up unless you actually drop the fact). The next questions are usually, "What did you do?" or "What did you see?"

Posting on Facebook or the like as you experience it as such probably then lends itself / opens you up to further questioning as some members have found out. Even then, I've posted that I'm in a lounge or the like, and although many of my friends know that not everyone just has access to a lounge (let alone First Class lounges), not many of them ever ask how I did it or what not.

188k and about $125 can get a business class return across the Pacific. They just need another 196k so both can do it. :p

Nice idea - and I think they know this. But I'm guessing neither of them wants to travel alone as such (except for Asia, my parents hardly ever travel alone, especially my mother).
 
Definitely need to get myself along to some of these meetings so i can find out more tricks of the trade!! :)
 
My family has just learnt to tell me where they want to go, date of travel and I'll organise the flights.

My aunt and uncle were amazed I got their F flights to JFK. Don't think they know what's coming to them!
 
I find it's either:

"Cool... help me book a trip doing that!!"
or
"I hope you're not doing anything illegal"

Like HVR/Fiona I find DO's are a great outlet of like minded people :)
 
WOW - a thread where I just had to LIKE every post - never thought I would see that.

As Jeff Fenech said so often - 'I love youse all'

But back OT - I have given up trying to educate others - I just tell 'em I married a rich chick and leave it at that.
 
Generally don't tell my friends/family anything anymore because they either spread the "loophole" which closes it faster or they just don't understand and go and book with Flight Centre anyway
 
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