Frequent Traveler University is being held at the Sheraton Meadowlands on April 27 and 28, following the Thursday evening Freddie Awards and the Friday Randy Petersen Travel Executive Summit.
The Saturday schedule will feature Randy Petersen, The Points Guy, Mommy Points, Daraius of Million Mile Secrets, legendary frequent flyer Steve Belkin (“beaubo” – known for hiring disabled rice farmers to fly in and out of the Golden Triangle area of Thailand for the miles, among other exploits), and Tommy Danielsen Milepoint co-founder and organizer of the MegaDOs. I’m also speaking in three slots as well. Your organizer is, as ever, Milepoint co-founder Pizzaman.
9:00am – 915am: Welcome, Tommy Danielsen9:15am – 10:30am: Resolved: that Delta Skymiles Offer Superior Value. A Debate Between Brian Kelly (Affirmative) and Gary Leff (Negative)
Alternate session: Introduction to miles & points – how to get started, Daraius Dubash & Mommy Points
10:30am – 10:45am: Break
10:45am – 12:15pm: Award Booking: Getting the Most for Your Miles, Gary Leff (Brian Kelly and Steve Belkin comment)
Alternate Session: Family Travel Made Easy, tips from Mommy Points
12:15pm – 1:15pm: Lunch
1:15pm – 2:45pm: Credit Card: How the Banks Want to Send You Around the World in Business Class for Free, Brian Kelly and Mommy Points
Alternate Session: The End of Elite Status? Why You Shouldn’t Care About Loyalty, Steve Belkin
2:45pm – 3:00pm: Break
3:00pm – 4:30pm: Mileage Confidential: Our Experts Each Share and Discuss Tips That You Won’t Find on the Forums (and that you agree not to post), Brian/Steve/Gary/Daraius
4:30pm – 5:00pm: Concluding Remarks, Randy Petersen
I’m told that Sunday will feature a ‘credit card lion’s den’ where issuers will pitch their cards to experts who will ask the tough questions in response, and where several major hotel and airline loyalty programs will have executives on hand to meet directly with their members.
You can access the room block at the Sheraton Meadowlands here and register for the event here.
There’s also a Milepoint thread where folks are discussing the event.
Great to see some new speakers (and the oldies but goodies!). Sorry that I can’t make it this year. 🙁
Please explain Steve Belkin. That is the craziest thing ever.
signed up!! as bart scott said “CAN’T WAIT”
@Joe – Belkin is explained in detail in this video …
Gary,
I missed you in Chicago last year. I got shut out on the oneworld megado. I will FINALLY get a chance to be at one of these events. I’m looking forward to FTU. See you there.
Gary, so excited to meet you!
Gary, is the Randy Petersen Travel Exec Summit open to the public, or is that an invite-only event for industry figures?
@Adam open to the public, details soon
When are they publishing Sunday’s schedule?