Comments

1. #1 piece of advice: post giveaways on your blog to help drive your readership numbers.

2. Have followed Gary for tenish years. Chuckle when he speaks of Southwest Airlines. Used the Companion Pass this year for multiple short trips with my kids. He obviously did not make this suggestion, but has help me greatly to be educated in the games of miles and points.

3. Regularly update all your on-line accounts, along with their user names and passwords, on a Word document, and cut and paste the contents to a password-protected e-mail to yourself before every trip. Always use the same completely unrelated word or expression in the subject box for safe-keeping and easy access.

4. when travelling its always good to be kind to others and keep an open mind

5. The only thing besides Twinkies that will survive a nuclear apocalypse are Chase Sapphire preferred cards. Those things are indestructible.

6. How valuable the TSA is!!

7. Always keep a power strip in your carry on. Perfect for recharging when delayed at airports and sharing with others. And, of course, those extra outlets help in hotel rooms.

8. One should separate credit cards into “good for spend” and “good for bonus”

9. I have learned perseverance….. keep asking and always be nice.

10. 1. Embrace the journey, no matter where it takes you. I have had some great aspirational stays, but have also been treated with warmth and kindness in “everyday” locations like the Staybridge Suites in Eatontown, NJ.
    2. A smile can work wonders. An attitude of entitlement usually doesn’t.
    3. I’ve been a long time View From The Wing Reader. While I have received many great tips, the best was Gary’s tip about using the Alaska Airlines credit card companion pass to fly 2 people to Alaska in first class for the cost of 2 coach tickets (bring this lost benefit back, Alaska).
    4. And of course, the pancake machine in the Alaska Airlines Boardroom in Seattle rocks!

11. always switch frequent flyer program based on current market trends and value estimation.

12. I learned how to keep my marriage together.

    I’m finishing my PhD in anthropology having spent three years apart from my fiance while I lived and worked in Yunnan, China. For much of that time, I chased gibbons through the mountaintop forests of central Yunnan. We were thousands of miles apart while I slept in a freezing tent, hiked until I collapsed, and ate week-old moldy pork. Amazing an experience as it was, it a trying one, too. What got me through it was knowing that I had an award ticket home to see her. That hopeful dream let me believe that every step up the mountain really was one step closer to her.

    Without this blog, indeed without you, Gary, I never would have learned how to get a mileage card and find cheap partner awards on Star Alliance from tiny internet cafe in rural China. Thanks to you, I was able to fly home to see my fiance every few months. So, I really mean it; I learned how to keep my marriage together.

13. Take screen shots of all offers, and check back to ensure you get what has been promised.

14. I’ve learned a wealth of information. The best is probably learning of my favorite credit card and all the great ways to earn and transfer points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

15. I think the most important “big picture” thing I have learned is that things move quickly in the points and miles world. Deals come and go, mistake fares appear, then disappear. Programs devalue 🙁 While you should try to stay on top of things, don’t sweat missing a deal or two. Another will come along soon 🙂

16. I don’t know if anyone else notices, but this blog has a series called “The 5 Best…” or “Top 5” Gary frequently posts such this as the 5 Best Credit Card Signup Bonuses, The 5 Best All-Around Rewards Credit Cards, Top 5 Cards from Amex, Top 5 Delta Airlines Award Travel destinations, etc etc. I think these blog entries are the best because it keeps me and other readers up to date on the best current deals and top places to go amongst other Top 5 things. I’ve benefited much from reading these in detail and Gary’s analysis and commentary on them which often helps me in making credit card, airline or travel decisions. Thanks so much and keep it up! =)

17. The best thing I learned from this web site is that Chase cards are great to obtain tons of united miles and free foreign exchange fee. Gary saved me quite a few dollars.

18. If you don’t travel, eat out a lot, or fly United, don’t get the chase sapphire card. The Amex SPG card is a much better value for converting points to airline miles

19. Travel Tip – if you have the Ink Bold or Ink plus business cards from Chase, make sure to get the free lounge club membership that allows you and your guest to go to one of the 300+ lounges around the world, 2 times for free. A lot of people don’t know about this benefit, and the lounges I’ve been to are great, so this could make a layover a lot less stressful!

20. Travel tip – pack your favorite snacks so you don’t spend a chunk of your money buying overpriced snacks at your vacation destination.

21. Travel Tip – If you are craving salty goodness on a flight (pretzels, chips,etc.) it is your body trying to tell you that you are dehydrated. Get and drink a glass of water or two.

22. Sky pesos!!!! This would have been better before I had collected 200k (now at 330k) for a family trip of 5 to Kauai.

23. The most useful thing about the blog is that it is also very good with industry news; by keeping us updated with the AA/US merger for instance, readers could start stocking up on miles which will soon be merged before the merger happened; other blogs only announce things as they happen, so are much less useful.

24. Thank you SO MUCH for your post here (http://viewfromthewing.com/2013/07/13/i-cant-warn-you-enough-make-absolutely-positively-sure-united-actually-issues-your-award-tickets/) and here (http://viewfromthewing.com/2012/05/18/united-award-tickets-on-asiana-sometimes-cancel-themselves-how-to-make-sure-you-dont-get-shafted/). It turned out that United somehow managed to screw up my award ticket on Air China, and the two blamed each other though from your posts it seems UA is at fault. The ticketing issue was eventually resolved with a conference call, fortunately before heading to China, which would’ve been more of an issue with the language barrier and expensive international calls. Thanks again, and it is definitely the most useful thing I’ve learnt from View From the Wing so far. Moral of the debacle? CHECK your ticket again and again.

25. Woo Hoo. Love your site.

26. The most valuable thing that I have learned from this site is knowing how to value my miles and points correctly for myself. Gary does a great job and puts what looks like a great deal of work into breaking down different programs and points in a why that reveals the true value. This has helped me to focus my energy and limited time in a way that has helped me maximize my points and possibilities for redemption.
    So as someone who has limited experience I have been able to travel business class to Asia and Europe and stayed at some of the nicest places such as the Park Hyatt in Paris!
    Thanks Gary!

27. Simple but true, I learned to look beyond butt-in-seat mileage earning as a precursor for award redemptions. Since starting to work with credit cards I haven’t paid for vacation travel, except where I was looking to earn miles. I also have flown international economy only once in 2013 and I have re qualified as an executive platinum after essentially being gifted the status earlier this year via that generous challenge. I also have there friends going with me to Thailand for New Years, all on miles and all largely due to this blog.

28. Here’s a haiku: the value of miles / some are worth more than others / shun the skypeso

29. My biggest tip is when aiming to fly premium cabins on award itineraries, book way ahead even if the routing isn’t ideal as an insurance policy. You can usually find a better routing/class of service closer in. I was just able to change an itinerary flying NYC-MUC-MXP-BKK in LH J and TG F to NYC-ICN-BKK via OZ F and KE J because I kept checking what was out there until what I really wanted popped up.

30. The best single piece of advice: if you don’t get an agent that will do what you want them to, hang up and call back. 🙂

    All the info about credit card offers is quite useful too.

31. My best learning piece was using Expert Flyer. Even though I am a Delta flyer, I find the info helpful. Finding award space on partner airlines for international flight is only one valuable tool

32. I have 2 best advices to share…

    In Europe we don’t own as many Credit cards as you do in the US, so when you travel, always have a second option to pay, especially when staying in many hotels, as they will secure money from your card and not always release it straight away. My 2 credit cards have been blocked many times for that reason, but I always have enough cash and a debit card with me.

    When you travel, don’t set your expectations for hotels as you would in Europe or North America. Poorer countries will not provide the same level of service/comfort, so if you expectations are too high, you will spend your vacations being disappointed/complaining,…

    Philippe

33. Travel is also about sharing. Talking to your friends about the places to go, asking them about the tips. Also be ready to help out a traveler. Personally I learned a lot by helping travelling friends and casual travel chats.

34. Make secondary twitter and facebook accounts to enter all of the social media promotions so as to not annoy all of your actual friends.

35. Use cards with no FX fees for foreign ccy transactions

36. The value of using miles to leverage the benefit of airline inventory versus using them to “buy” merchandise

37. Hang up, call back!

38. Always bring a copy of state id in a different place then your wallet

39. Enable two-step authentication on your Gmail account before you leave so that you can feel comfortable logging into your email from random computers.

40. The most valuable thing that I learned from this site is the value and redemption options of the Ultimate Rewards. Thanks Gary for all the great work!

41. I have personally enjoyed your hotel program comparisons here on this blog and trip reports as well, mostly of the airlines/hotels I have not been yet using, but have been intending to.

    Some of my tips would be:
    1) In case of irregularity (cancelled/delayed flight, issues at hotel room, etc) – keep calm and smile, when talking to customer relations agent. It yields way better results and sometimes even upgrades compared to your rioting counterparts.
    2) When travelling in China and paying at hotels with your credit cards – make sure you let them charge in RMB and not USD/EUR, as otherwise you loose 3-5% in DCC charge.
    3) In Venezuela and Argentina, the best value is changing money at the black market
    4) Every mile/point counts. Even when travelling on a airline that has just solo programme or a hotel that has small frequent stayer programme, it is still worth to sign up. In Japan for example most of the local hotels have even their own programs, often offering ca 8-10% cashback in points and discounts for breakfast
    5) Always check the possible added fees! An airline with 10 USD cheaper rate might not be cheaper if you have to later add your suitcase for 50USD for example.
    6) Always carry an extra document photo with you – you might need it for a entry visa during your travel irregularity for example.
    7) Learning few local words when travelling to foreign countries can make a huge difference in received service.

42. When something goes wrong during your trip (delayed/canceled flight)…first stop should be the airline club or Twitter (at least for AA and DL). You avoid the crowds and I’ve found those agents to be better able and more willing to help than most of those in the general terminal area.

43. Be sure to call or notify your credit card and debit card issuers when you travel to foreign countries. Also, only take along credit cards with no foreign exchange fees. Use a money belt, neck pouch or leg pouch to carry your cash, credit card and ID. Carry one credit card and leave your back-up(s) in the hotel safe. Chip and signature type credit cards are a must.

44. When travelling with kids, do not give them all the toys/distractions at once…give them a new one once they are bored with other. This way they’ll be occupied for longer time and you and fellow passengers will probably have a peaceful flight.

45. Always keep handy your important loyalty cards to get all the benefits of the programs. Start with Car Parking, Airlines, Car Rental, Hotel, etc.
    Also its always better to plan out the travel plan before the travel night. It really helps.

46. The most useful thing I learned from this blog is to treat miles and points like current events: read up on it every day!

47. gleff – Your trip reports are inspirational. Especially when optimizing return on mileage / points usage. Thanks for inspiring us to make it to one of the most majestic places on earth….PH Maldives http://viewfromthewing.com/2013/04/09/return-to-the-maldives-park-hyatt-hadahaa-maldives/

48. I find myself with plenty of miles but your blog really helps me take advantage of the sweet spots. Flew east coast, to perth for 4 days and then bangkok for 3 weeks as a “stopover” actually saved 20k USDM for adding the two buisnes class flights to my trip.

49. My number one rule. Avoid as many cancellation fees as possible by booking with rates and packages that can easily be rearranged