Giving Away All My Worldly Possessions

The next frequent flyer gathering I’ll attend in a small ‘FTU Advanced’ session in San Diego at the beginning of March.

April’s Dallas event will be the only major Frequent Traveler University this year.

Just a little window into my personal quirks. One of the things I do as I prepare for these is clean out my closet.

  • I pick up lots of swag
  • I am a strong minimalist at heart
  • I prefer not to take ‘stuff’ from vendors in any case

So these events are a way to give things to people who will value them more than I do, while letting me remain comfortable in not taking ‘stuff’ that would open me to criticisms. And it keeps my wife happy.

It’s also an opportunity to clean out expiring coupons like lounge passes.

I often give away amenity kits, unopened airline pajamas, and memorabilia that seemed like things I’d want to collect at the time but just piles up.

‘FTU’ is sort of like ‘Gary’s Garage Sale’ only with stuff that’s free. The only frustrating thing is that since there’s often liquids involved it means I need to check a bag when I head to the event. I don’t like that.


About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. “Happy wife, happy life ” …….So what do we need to do to enter this giveaway? Also I am new to this where we add our name and email its says website……what are we supposed to put in there. Thanks

  2. I love this: “I often give away amenity kits, unopened airline pajamas, and memorabilia that seemed like things I’d want to collect at the time but just piles up.” & my husband is like ur wife. So any extra room in the checked bag for some of my stuff? I mean how many Emirates bags does one need.

  3. It would be great to participate in a giveaway of an AA Eames business class bag – empty even! I am a huge Eames fan but don’t fly AA.

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