out there ~

[Australian]

ok guys, dont flame me!!

just a serious qn ... i read these forums with enthusiasm, and really enjoy hearing other ppls stories, trips, and stuff ~ there's some incredibly rich discussion, and the amount of shared ideas, tips, n knowledge is just awesome (eg, thx markis for the tip on JQ clicking/options!) ... but at the same time, i can't help being (personally) amazed at how ... hmmm - 'open' - some tend to be with certain ways of 'working the system' to advantage pax/flyers over the airline ...

i guess i underscore the 'personally' there, because i realise that's maybe just the way i see it, and others are probably just a lot more relaxed n open with anything (perhaps not as bad, but for some reason i just thought of a person on a train happily talking (loudly!) into her cell to the person on the other end about why she couldn't go out tonight ... because of her heavy period!!!!:shock: ...lol) ... but yeah, anyway i did leave me wondering a bit what ppl did generally think!?

there's really is 'enough' info out there for the dedicated to work out the finer details of tips n tricks themselves if they want to ... maybe i'm wierd, but there's something deliciously fun about planning a crazy run to maximise benefits to ur best possible advantage (hmmm, like solving a crossword i guess ) ... which is part of the real fun of MR-ing :mrgreen:

when ppl just give out easy answers (esp to some infrequent posters who just post "tell me how to max my SCs~!") it seems - again to me at least - to kinda defeat the point ... and gee, call me paranoid, but i'm sure it also means that certain tips n ideas soon begin to ... well let me just say BNE/ADL

anyway -as i said, just my thoughts dont flame me, just seriously interested in what other ppl think again, i love reading the forums ~ i just figure there's a ... limit ... to what sometimes needs to be 'out there' flagged in flashing coloured lights, ~ and i know what i say in person, sharing ideas with a friend face to face, is different to what i'd probably be putting up on a public forum ... but then again, i'm someone who'd keeps her heavy months to him/herself

 

[samh004]

There is always that fear and you'll often find on FT that some of the better deals aren't shared or altered to be sneaky.

The community is here to help but we'd love them to stick around too. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.

Some here only give out the BEST deals in person

 

[haydensydney]

I've read your post twice now but still don't know what your question is exactly.

Consider me perplexed ??

 

[samh004]

I've read your post twice now but still don't know what your question is exactly.

Consider me perplexed ??

The OP is worried that continued posting of specials to get status, and other such SC runs/too-good-to-be-true deals will mean the deals disappear and we as a group lose out. They go on to say they question why we help some members that come and ask for help… but then never come back, and it can be frustrating I’ll admit, but it’s all about being an open, friendly, inviting community I think.

I think that’s pretty much what it’s about. And then of course, your thoughts?

 

[medhead]

I think the key answer is that AFF exists to help people.

I totally agree that I enjoy trying to work out the details of various situations. But then sometimes it appears that people are unable to apply any lateral thinking at all. There have been a few occassions where the suggestion has been made to pick a transit route and the response has been to ask how to do that - "multi city with all cities listed". I find that frustration that sometimes people can't do a search and see that there are direct and transit options offered. But then if someone is that clueless they deserve all the help they can get. :-| Of course as has been mentioned I'm sure the real tips are only given in person. I wouldn't really know as I have managed/ made the effort to get to a gathering, yet. I find that if I read as much as possible here, and then check it out myself, I'm able to find some pretty good things. That process got me to platinum for the first time this year, instead of gold.

I'm not to sure about the work the system angle. I'm sure that when airlines set up the system they are fully aware of the implications of the system and the various ways to work it. If they weren't happy with that they wouldn't have set it up that way. Perhaps the real risk is that more people get to know how to work the system.

Finally I did want to mention the axample of ADL/BNE. I don't think that was a really big secret tip. My mum has know about the value of a transit on that route for years and she doesn't think about this stuff at all. The timings of flights between ADL and BNE are especially poor and it is rare that the direct flights are useful. So you quickly come to realise the benefit of connecting. I'm sure it is the same for other city pairs.

 

[PineappleSkip]

As for passengers 'working' the airlines, I don't see anything unethical about that at all. Airlines work the passengers, they call it yield management, and maximising your yield is a two way street!

I remember my sociology lecturer announcing that bargains are the 'guerilla strike of the working class' or some such thing. Always happpy to pull off a guerilla strike, and to hear of one!

Cheers skip.

 

[Leumas]

The rules, as set by the airlines/hotels, are bare for all to see. If they aren't visible, they're accessible by a phone call.

I don't really see it as 'gaming' the system. Vast majority of the information mentioned here aren't breaking the rules and available publicly if you look hard enough. If we are breaking the rules, members will point it out and be sure the airlines/hotels that monitor these forums will shut it down quick fast.

I see it as maximising the money I spent (99% out of my own pocket). It's kind of similar as companies trying to maximise their margins. Plus, I've spent a LOT more money for travel than prior to finding these forums. I'd say the benefits are mutual.

If the companies spend more money to look after people like us, e.g., establishing a special J lounge, it encourages me to fly more with them. If they cut back, e.g., making upgrades a lottery, it encourages me to use other airlines.

Last but not least, if you aren't comfortable in using the information on these forums, don't. There have been occasions where I do feel things are in the grey area, no one will force you.

P.S. Don't mean this to be blunt or flaming, just stating the way things are. Now where is my morning coffee?

 

[WindowSeat]

The rules, as set by the airlines/hotels, are bare for all to see...<snip>

</snip>
Last but not least, if you aren't comfortable in using the information on these forums, don't. There have been occasions where I do feel things are in the grey area, no one will force you.

+1, well said.