Frequent Traveler University, December 5-7, Hyatt Regency Crystal City (near Washington’s National Airport)
This promises to be the largest gathering of frequent flyers ever, bringing together some of the best minds in miles and points and creating an opportunity for folks interested in the hobby to learn, trade tips, and build friendships (and networks for sharing knowledge offline as well).
I’m excited to be helping to put it together, and I’m giving away two packages to FTU on the blog this week. Each of two winners will receive:
- A complimentary ticket to FTU ($149)
- 2 hotel nights for the event (valued at $99+tax per night)
So that’s over $350 in value per prize, with two prizes, an all you have to do to enter is comment on this post as I explain below. And of course everyone who buys (or wins!) a ticket receives Hyatt Platinum status.
And don’t worry, you can go ahead and buy one, if you win the contest I’ll make sure your purchase gets refunded – or refund it myself!
Here’s the details for the giveaway:
- This is the official entry post. Comment on this post to enter, by providing either one travel tip or one thing you would hope to learn at Frequent Traveler University.
- Since there are (2) questions, you may enter to up (2) times.
- Contest ends Friday at noon Eastern time.
- All of my decisions are final and unappealable and by entering you agree to this. In other words, don’t make it hard for me to give stuff away!
Truly a can’t-miss event and promises to be the best Frequent Traveler University ever! The room block is filling up, so I’d suggest signing up now…
Related:
- Tickets now available for the biggest frequent flyer gathering in history
- Everyone at December’s Frequent Traveler University Gets Elite Status
- New speakers added for Frequent Traveler University
- You can join the 40,000+ people who see these deals and analysis every day — sign up to receive posts by email (just one e-mail per day) or subscribe to the RSS feed. It’s free. You can also follow me on Twitter for the latest deals. Don’t miss out!
travel tip – not anything new, but travel carry-on only whenever possible, even as a family.
Travel tip: The account that you credit your points/miles to matters. The best choice may not be the most obvious one!
With the aegean gold status method going away, I would like to know the cheapest/easiest ways to earn airline status.
I would like to learn more about making the most of Alaska partner awards.
At FTU, I would like to learn how to make the best use of my “seemingly unusable” Delta Skypesos!
Buy your SIM card/chip for your unlocked device locally. It is much cheaper that way.
I’d like to learn how to maximize use of hotel points.
TIP: In Europe book rental cars at non-airport branches for cheaper pricing and then you can return at the airport for often times a very small fee with added convenience.
TIP: Car rental agency SIXT their prices already includes 3rd party insurance.
My tip: When booking United awards, call the Philipines call center. No wait times and friendly agents: 1-800-396-1751
Looking to learn more about learning ins and outs of non-US programs since the United devaluation.
Stay at hotels in business districts over the weekend for lower rates.
I hope to learn more about fuel charges and flexible points at FTU.
REDbird tips!
I would like to learn more about the car rental programs.
Tip: Get Global Entry – it makes returning from international travel so much better.
Hope: I hope to learn more about Best Rate Guarantees so I can get some free/discounted nights.
Want to learn more about finding mistake fares and jumping on them before they die!
I am looking forward to learning about some MS techniques.
TIP: have your kids decorate your luggage with sharpie markers…you can then find it easily amongst everyone else’s baggage and nobody else will walk away with you bag.
Want: how to navigate ITA software so I can book Award ticketsfor my family of 4
I’d like to pick up solid tips in refining my manufacture spend techniques as the landscape and optimal ROI opportunities are constantly shifting.
You are generous and my favorite blogger. Being from Fairfax, this FTU would be very convenient. I would like to learn about maximizing routing of trips to get more value out of award redemptions. And I will drive out to Merrifield and try Jumping Elephant.
I hope to learn more about alliances and partnerships to maximize my airline miles
Travel with a smile.
Tip: Be aware of what credit card you are bringing for international travel. Make sure it has no foreign currency transaction fees!
Travel tip is always carry zip lock bags of multiple sizes. They’re great for storing and organizing stuff while traveling.
Would like to learn advanced award booking techniques and searching for award inventory.
I would like to learn more about manufactured spend.
Travel tip: If you can’t get the US Airways agent to book the trip you want, get help from someone and try calling “En Español”
Want to be on a first name basis w/ gleff
My best tip is simply practicing the adage that ‘flashing a (genuine) smile can go a long way’. Whether it’s inquiring into a seat assignment change/upgrade at the gate or a drink refill from an FA, making any positive impact during in-person interactions help humanize what are traditionally mundane and forgettable routines. Even if it’s simply a genuine smile back at you, our lives are made up of a string of moments so why not make the best of every single one?
Tip: when putting together awards, use the airport wiki to learn which airlines fly into it and from where.
And a tip – if you’re expecting a tight connection and aren’t in first class, do your best to get a seat closest to the entry door(s). That’ll make the wait for others to deplane a bit less stressful.
I wonder why the Alaska credit card doesn’t have more benefits!
tip: don’t be afraid to ask bloggers question
I want to learn how to maximize redemptions from different programs
hope to learn: routes that avoid fuel surcharges on award tickets, especially ones that have lots of award availablity
I want to learn about manufactured spending!
I would like to learn more about BRG
I hope to learn some new ways to MS
Travel tip: you can fly first class Etihad or Qatar Middle East-Europe for only 40,000 American AAdvantage miles.
to learn to get the most bang for the buck in this new ‘pqd’ world.
travel tip: you can get the cost of the Oyster card and the dollar amount left on it back at the Tube Station at Heathrow.
and when you go back, you can just get a new card and repeat.
I carry a canvas grocery bag in my backpack to put the small items (Book, earphones, iPhone, water, etc.) I want at my seat before boarding the airplane. this saves time and congestion in the aisle as I settle into my seat (hopefully upfront)
Tip: Apply for Global Entry ($100) so you can zip through U.S. Customs when you return to the U.S. Once you have your Global Entry “known traveler number,” you can use it for TSA Pre-Check privileges to zip through U.S. airport security gates without having to take off your shoes or laptop or go through a revolving body scanner (you do have to go through a walk-through scanner). Certain AmEx credit cards reimburse the Global Entry expense. If you don’t care about zipping through U.S. Customs, then just apply for TSA Pre-Check ($80). I smile every time Global Entry has made my travels easier at the airport.
Put all electronics in the carryon before going through the scanner.
I’d hope to learn more about fare codes used across alliances and non-alliance partners 😉
Ah, read that wrong and posted a tip and “hope to learn” in the same post.
Ok, use seatguru to pick the best seats on each aircraft type. (This is my tip entry)
Would Like to Learn: How to manufacture spend with confidence and with as few hassles as possible. Of course I’m happy to put in the work for the benefit, but if there are better ways to skin the cat, I’m all in!
Tip: If you lose your phone charger ask at any hotel desk for a lost and found charger. They usually have a drawer full of these things and will give them away if you ask nicely.