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!
Hope to learn: How to do a better job booking flights with my miles.
I have attended two FTU conferences and can say wihtout a doubt that anyone, a novice or a pro, you learn something you didn’t know. Plus I can now put a face with the blog writers.
I have never been to an FTU but would love to attend.
one travel tip: if there is no availabilty for British Airways think about doing 2 segments. For exaample, DFW-CLT is 7500 Avios. I could also do DFW-MSY, MSY-CLT for only 9k Avios. This helps when flying as a family of four.
Thanks for the contest Mr. Leff.
I would learn to like some more advanced fuel dumping strategies
Tip: when flying economy, ask the gate agent to show you the seat map, so if there are empty rows, you can switch to those seats as soon as the seatbelt light goes off.
Would like to learn more tricks on getting premium award space on American AAdvantage
I’m throwing my hat in the ring.
Hope to learn tricks to finding hidden/hard to find award availability.
My tip – buy an entertainment book either for your city or a city you plan to visit. The reusable car rental coupons have always made this a worthwhile purchase for me.
Tip: Check hotels near the airport to find much cheaper parking and free shuttle service.
I hope to learn how to maximize manufactured spend
Would like to learn more about differences between hotel loyalty programs.
Tip: read boardingarea on a daily basis
I would like to learn about car rental programs and how to make the best use of them
Travel light. Do not check a bag if possible.
Strategies for keeping/closing credit cards after earning bonuses.
@DonR. Travel light I agree. I am still working at that. Sometimes due to weather you take more than you need though
@Bri I am very knowledgeable about SPG and Hyatt. In my opinion across the board redemption wise and how the program operates overall -SPG hands down. Hyatt also very good but many less properties and more difficulty redeeming at a good rate. SPG has many hotel brands etc.
@Betty In some cities for leisure travel groupon or similar programs might be worth it for some people. They never figure any tourists to use those things
@Betty what awards are you finding tough on AA? Also for me I want to avoid BA at all costs (due to fuel surcharges)
@Carberrie I have a ton of Delta miles also. Gary outlines the best uses internationally for those. I went to South Africa recently from Atlanta on the Non Stop for 160K in business class.
I’d like to learn more about meeting spending requirements for cards. Thanks!
One of my travel tips is to type up a full itinerary with addresses, phone numbers, directions, and landmarks to keep with you. Also, keep a PDF copy on your phone. Thanks!
I would like to learn more about getting upgrades on international travel
Travel tip: Check http://www.bedbugregistry.com for reports before booking hotel rooms. You would be surprised at the hotels which have had problems.
I would like to learn about the best ways to package a trip using miles for hotel and airfare
I would like to learn the best ways to leverage hotel points.
I would like to learn how to be a pro at booking partner airline awards
Become an expert on routings for award travel
Just started this points and miles hobby, love to learn from the elites.
My tip… If you’re picking someone up at Orlando (MCO) and you have an active EPass or SunPass-Plus, look into the Express Pick-up option. Essentially, you get to park inside the terminal. You do have to submit to a full car inspection.
Best way to go to Hawaii from California is to use British Airways avios, 25,000 avios for round trip, no fuel charges.
I would like to over hear some whispers about maximizing MS
travel tip: Do your research before booking a flight. if you didn’t write this blog you probably have something to learn.
I would like to learn more about the various Amex prepaid products (target, Bluebird, etc.).
Gary,
Count me in!!
Am joining to get the advanced course. Its sold out but I’ll have to buy it off somebody else. Do you know a guy named Xin from Purdue University?
Just checking.
Best regards.
Michael
Global Entry is totally a timesaver.
My travel tip: If you think you’re going to be close to a threshold in hotel status, hop from hotel to hotel in a city when you’re on a multi-day trip to maximize the number of stays. I wish I had done that more in 2014 as it doesn’t look like I’ll make Hyatt Diamond this year after 5 years of diamond status.
I like to learn how to book award travel
I would like to learn how to maximize my points/miles
My travel tip: Always double check the date and time of the flight the day before departure. I almost missed a flight because of this!
I’d like to hear Daraius’ take on the value of IHG points redemption. Thanks for the contest!
Tip: use cheap Avios getting to DC
I would like to learn how to use ExpertFlyer to up my award booking game and snag those last minute first class seat avails!
Keen to learn new spend techniques.
My travel tip is to secure chargers individually with a hair clip in order to prevent them from getting tangled in your bag.
I would like to learn about the best options to redeem and earn miles. This would be the first time going to an event like this.
Travel tip: Use Avios for short haul domestic US redemptions!