My boyfriend Ford recently wrote a blog post about his first time in Emirates A380 first class. Before we met he didn’t know the first thing about miles & points (like, hethought redeeming transferable points currencies for cash towards a statement credit was a good deal, which is a cardinal sin around here). And in…
Continue reading: 10 Things I’ve Learned From Dating A Miles & Points Geek
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Ford, just wait until you fly with Ben on a BR Hello Kitty flight. You ain't seen nothing yet!
For uber.... Would you use the Citi Premier for 3x or Amex SPG (1x on spend & 1x from Starwood) as a basic SPG Preferred member
Great post Ford, Im glad you and Ben met, you seem like really nice guys.You can tell Ben because of him and his blog which I have passed on to my son he will now be able to travel more with his wife. I told him about Ben's blog and what the possibilities are for someone like he and his wife. So he is a convert and like you before Ben I knew you could get miles etc for shopping but I had no idea how extensive it was.I enjoy reading Ben's and your stories, it gives me a window on international travel. As to Ben's obsession with all things travel thats what makes us different and interesting as people. Have fun waiting on next trip report!
Great post from a non-av geek! Thanks for the reminder on the Uber/SPG link. I've been postponing linking my accounts since forever and now thanks to you, I finally got it done.
While there may be few like Ben, there are many of us #avgeeks out there in different flavors. I'm probably more like Cranky where I learned geography from airline timetables as a kid.
I've also done the mileage card makeovers to family and friends. I've even once got my barber to accept JCB Cards just so I could earn more miles, so know that you're in good company.
Ford I am beginning to love you as much as Ben for information. Your descriptions are fantastic of the cabin, amenities, and knowing your Boyfriends likes is great. That's true testimony of how much your relationship means to each of you. I wish you both years of happiness.
I'm pretty sure Ford made Ben his sugar daddy...routing through Abu Dhabi to get to London is 130K miles PP instead of a direct 62.5K miles.....I guess #Top comes at a price 😉
@tony I use the amex everyday.. all amex get 2x reward points + the 50% bonus for a 3 MR point redemption + the starwood points ... Ben wrote a post about this a while back he gives great advice.
Hi Lucky and Ford! I have a few questions, as someone that have never flew on a gulf carrier or any carrier based in an Arab/Muslim country. Are they OK with a same-sex couple? Do they say or act in some way if there is some sort of public display of affection between a person and their same-sex partner? I know that many employees are from other countries, but most (if not all) of these companies are owned and funded by countries that do not allow same-sex relationships. Do you think that there are any company policies regarding that?
I don't mean to sound inappropriate or anything - I'm asking purely out of interest of knowing how comfortable it actually is for a same-sex couple or a homosexual passenger to take a flight with such a carrier, beyond those awesome perks and F/A service. I wish we lived in a world where this wouldn't even be a thought in someone's mind!
Ben and Ford! You two remind me of me and my man -- always enjoying the finer things in life, and looking fabulous at the same time. Y'all are a smokin' hot couple and know how to travel right. My only question--how was the soaps and other amenities you experienced on your trip? You know how I love to lather myself in luxurious soaps and what not (is there anything better?).
As a woman of refined taste, I can certainly say you two are a much more fabulous couple than any of the other mile secret bloggers out there. XOXO <3 S.
"When asked what the highlight of our trip to the Middle East has been, I immediately recall the flight"
That's because most of the Middle East (at least the glitzy parts) is pretty boring. If you went to Jerusalem or Istanbul instead of Dubai, your first thought probably would've been more destination centric... That's not to say Dubai isn't worth visiting, but it's not a place I'd go for unforgettable enrichment.
Interesting post... Though not everyone is as lucky to have a significant other with millions of miles.
Seriously? Ben asked you for your credit cards on your first date and you still got together? That's amazing! 🙂 If any girl would ask me the same, I don't think it would get to a second date ;).
Good post, Ford! Nice to see someone that is as amazed by Ben and his addiction to points as I am. Although I'm kinda jealous how he manages to get such great value out of his points, I would honestly go crazy to check all these details every time. So, I just sit behind my computer with a Diet Coke in my hand, while you guys are flying the world. Enjoy and I wish you both all the best in your relationship!
You do realize that based upon the culture you are visiting whether you are homsexual or heterosexual the right thing to do is change the way you behave sometimes.
My wife is Japanese and we live in America. The way we act in public in America is different than how we act in public in Japan.
The same thing happens when we travel in India. Public displays of affection are frowned upon by members of the opposite sex so we limit them.
@Tony Kwok: What I do, and I believe what Ben does as well, is use the Amex Everyday Preferred. You get 1.5x MR per dollar on everyday spending as well as 2x MR per dollar for Uber.
"I almost forgot I was on a domestic flight!" Tells the sorry state of US carriers. Ford? That's a car's name, lol.
Ford, do you have a brother? 😉
I was in the desert over the weekend and only managed to see the Qatar thing last night. By the time I got there, it was kind of a mess. And loud! I'm not totally sure what they were trying to accomplish out there, but they definitely got a lot of people talking.
PS the credit card thing reminded me of my cousin's husband, who has always reminded me never to date a guy who pulls out his Discover card to pay the check!
Congratulations and thanks for the post. The 'discovery phase' of a relationship is always exciting. Not only do you get to learn what interests your partner, but you get to immerse yourself in it and learn about it and your partner through it. How exciting. Enjoy!
It's great to hear the experiences from someone that's never had the opportunity to travel international first class....especially on an Emirates A380.
I for one appreciate the article in its diversion from the typical credit card blog entry. This country has grown tremendously, and it's about time that an article about Ben and Ford's travel becomes as normal as any other article. Congrats guys. I hope the trip was as memorable as it sounds, and you continue to explore this world of ours.
Great post Ford!
Ben, really enjoying the blog as of late. Been following you for years( 2009? 2008?) and the writing got wonky about 6 months ago.. I feel that you are back to your "core" topics, as well as some fun stuff...
Tiffany is amazing as well-so sweet!!!
Best.
RR
Ford, I enjoyed reading your post --- especially the View from the Top reference! When I met Ben back at FTU back in the day, he told me he had never seen that movie before. If he still hasn't seen it, I think watching it would be a cute date for both of you!
i agree with you that the A380 is really something else. I hope you guys get to try the etihad a380 together someday --- perhaps the Residence?!? 😉
We love Ford!
Refreshing to hear the perspectives of someone new to the hobby.
Rock & Roll.
This really reads more like a gay lifestyle advert. The blog's getting gayer which isn't relevant or attractive to readers like me.
I re-read the post just to make sure, and there is no reference to being gay whatsoever. It could just as well have been written by a woman and I wouldn't know the difference, but perhaps I'm missing something. If that is the case, I'm interested to hear what it is.
I like Ford's writing style and humor. Obviously Ben got a guy with more than just handsome looks. Please indulge us with future updates. 😉
@Rob.
Fair point. From a woman I also wouldn't be that interested in all the personal detail about the relationship either, actually.
@Jack.Yes I can see your point.This blog should only apply directly to your straight "lifestyle".Thanks for sharing.Now get back to 1958 where you belong .P.S. Your post in neither "relevant " nor "attractive " to moi.