Frequent Traveler University: December 5-7, Hyatt Regency Crystal City
The next Frequent Traveler University, in partnership with USA Today, promises to be the biggest gathering of frequent flyers ever — topping even last April’s sold out event in Northern Virginia.
The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City minutes from Washington’s National airport.
It’s a fantastic venue to support us all, and Hyatt has made available (2) $250 Hyatt gift cards for me to give away here. Gift cards that could be used on your stay during Frequent Traveler University!
All you need to do to be eligible to win is leave a comment on this post. You may answer one of two questions,
- What would you most want to learn at a gathering of frequent flyers? Or..
- What is the most important thing for a conference host hotel to know, or to do?
Since there are two gift cards, and two questions, you may enter up to two times.
Just leave a comment or two comments and I will draw the winning comments at random from those left by October 14 at Noon Eastern. (Void where prohibited by law. All of my decisions are final and unappealable, I want to make giveaways as easy as possible and with the fewest headaches possible.)
And I hope to see you at the upcoming Frequent Traveler University!
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ITA Matrix lessons and more ways to effective scale MS.
Conference host hotel should know to give free wifi in the conference areas.
I hope it doesn’t make me a bad person but the most important thing I expect from a conference hotel is an open bar/ hospitality hour in the evening where comped adult beverages are served. It just makes it easier to talk to people and find out where the rare birds (OK you now know I mostly go to birding events) or whatever “secrets” are out there.
Host hotels should definitely make sure they have enough staff to handle requests!
I would like to learn how to use the ITA matrix.
I like wi-fi available in all rooms, free is best, of course.
Q2 answer: lots of outlet and consistent, free wifi.
◾What would you most want to learn at a gathering of frequent flyers? A top ten list arrived at by polling the attendees (of their favorite tips and tricks for earning miles).
◾What is the most important thing for a conference host hotel to know, or to do? Be sure the WiFi is working in the areas where the conferences are taking place. And… not try to block the portable WiFi hotspots that people may bring (thereby forcing guests to buy the hotel’s WiFi service).
I would want to learn some of the intricacies of the international carriers FF programs
I want to learn some of the more intricate areas of MS
I would like to learn more abt miles and points for travels and stays in Europe.
Would be great to know how to truly maximize and use points (collected a lot, don’t spend as fast as I accumulate)
Conference hotels should know that they should create situations where people at the conference can meet–shouldn’t be left up to pure chance.
The most important thing for a conference host hotel is to check in guests and have alll documentation ready for pick up as soon as they arrive. The kind of congestion you get at these places at check in is unbelievable at time.
I would like to learn about credit cards and the signup bonuses game!
Especially about the cards that have transferable points.
A conference host hotel should not assume their guest(s) know all the hotel has to offer.
I would love to learn more about manufactured spend.
I would like to learn how to check availability online for different awards using miles. I find it extremely difficult to remember how and where to find the right kind of availability.
I think the host hotel should really show off their strengths as to gain loyal fans.
A hotel hosting a conference should always have GOOD free coffee service available. It’s amazing how bad the coffee is sometimes.
At a FF conference, I’d like to hear how bloggers pay for travel? What are the inside secrets to free comps?
Conferences will likely have a number of elites that will make club lounges more crowded than usual.
OK, for my other entry, what I would want to know from frequent flyers specifically? How they handled it the first time one of their known associates got arrested is the big question that springs to mind…
Host hotels should be prepared for unexpected requests. The expected ones are easy, but sometimes attendees might ask for advil, or extra toothbrush, or what have you. What I meant to say is that there are things that are outside of the standard conference “contract” that the hotel won’t be blamed for not having, but will get huge cookie points if they can provide, and with an event with a lot of participant, this is a huge reputation boost.
Thanks for the chance.
Free wifi
Host hotels should be welcoming and not trying to cash in extra on the conference attendees by charging more for the little things then the regular cost.
Eating at Park Hyatt Vendome every morning during my stay.
Best tips for non-flying point accumulation
I think the most important thing for me is to discuss the MS opportunities I may not be familiar with so I can get a companion pass.
Thx and good luck to all!!
I would want to learn the best way to book 1st class to Asia.
I would want to learn more about using international frequent flyer programs for award redemptions and where their sweet spots are.
Conference hotels should know the best restaurants and coffee shops in the area (preferably within walking distance) and have directions for how to get there.
A conference hotel needs comfy chairs and enough seating areas for people to gather as well as free WIFI
I would most like to learn how to get the best use for the miles I have earned. To me earning is easier than spending.
A conference host hotel should be able to give very good details and advice about the local area.
Would be glad to know what’s the general wisdom of post revenue-based ffp era…
I would to know how frequent flyers maintain a balance between flying and home life.
The most important thing for a conference host hotel to do would be to simply get to know the guest. 🙂 A little gesture goes a long way!
I would want to learn some idea of the future of credit card bonuses. Will they dry up? Also, a better understanding of how to use Am EX points. And ways to get around high taxes with award tickets from European Airlines. Also, can one upgrade to Lufthansa’s Premium EC with miles?
At a gathering I think it would bee cool to hear about manufacturing spend, along with the other side of the ledger how to best spend those miles and pints.
A conference hotel best to do would be having the best communications whether it be wi-fi in the bed room to a superb communications set up in the actual conference hall/room.
What would you most want to learn at a gathering of frequent flyers? = How to successfully do a BRG for an overseas IHG hotel. This seems near impossible.
How to MS abroad
Ample supply of booze
What is the most important thing for a conference host hotel to know, or to do? = Have working wi-fi that doesn’t suck when hundreds of conference-goers are connected to it.
Conference hotel needs to understand the group it is hosting so they know what to have on hand. In the case of FTU-wifi would be good as well as competitive packaging of stay/parking, etc.
I’d want to learn the insider secrets that aren’t posted to the message boards
I actually wouldn’t mind learning about the airlines’ point of views/sides of frequent flyer. We as customers always complain about frequent flyers, but maybe it is in fact costing the airlines much more money than we know of. I want to hear their side of the story. Maybe it is not so good for them too! haha…
I think conference host hotels should always provide free WiFi to its attendees.