As Tiffany wrote about yesterday, we’ve made some decisions when it comes to bringing on contributors, which has been quite an adventure. I’m sorry it has taken so long, but the truth is that there were so many great people we got to interact with as we went through this process. Tiffany did the bulk…
Continue reading: Welcome To The OMAAT Team, Spencer!
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
This is awesome! I look forward to reading Spencer's posts! You're a humble guy, Lucky, but I'll say that I think you, too, have the ability to explain and simplify complicated concepts. I still remember never understanding the old Delta award website before 2015 in terms of how they priced roundtrip/open jaw flights yet you and your team wrote an article explaining some of the logic the website uses to price out Delta awards that was quite helpful and easy to understand especially for someone who rarely redeemed Delta Skymiles.
Congratulations to Spencer and welcome to our favorite blog! 🙂
But "favorite premium cabin product ... award go to Etihad?" Really? Maybe my experiences are anecdotal, but, hands down, it is the worst premium products I have experienced in Biz or in F.
Great news, the more (quality and variety) the better.
I've achieved some of my most memorable flights thanks to this site, but I only understand how north american programs work. Knowing how to use different programs for different sweet spot redemptions will be amazing.
Please make a post about emirates and how to get the best deals on them, JAL miles and whatnot.
@Kalboz Thanks!
Haha, I have flown the Apartments twice and have had amazing crews on both—clearly, a small sample size. In general, I've had great luck with crews and have loved my time in SQ Suites, EK F, CX F, LH F, etc. Each has been a great experience. Admittedly, GA F in-flight was a bit of a disappointment in some ways after I built up my expectations, but still fun.
And make your website easy to reference. So if I want to figure out travel from point A to point B i can look up options on your website somehow without doing Google search to find the articles.
Spencer seems like a great addition. I realize there is only so much Ben and Tiffany can do, but I would very much welcome many more posts on using foreign airlines for redemptions, especially Cathay Pacific Miles. We have 50000 Cathay miles and I’ve almost regretted signing up for the card because now I have to learn the program! Would love to see articles giving detailed examples of redemptions.
@Debit - Currently... Sapphire Reserve, Freedom Unlimited, Blue Business Plus, Asiana and Schwab debit card. SPG Business card is also a regular.
I can personally attest to Spencer’s dedication, positive attitude, helpfulness and “straight-to-the-points” 😉 lifestyle. No matter the experience level of the travel hacker, you can see there’s nothing but a person who is true to his statement saying: “I just want to help people travel how they want”
Spencer ?????
the new man, introduced ........ but no pic?
Needs to be added, now that we know about that "new" guy at OMAAT.
Ben, i'm sure you got one on file!
wanna see that new FQTV!
Is Johan the butler that Spencer had the same Johan that you had on your Residence flight?
Woo hoo!! Great choice! I love OMAAT. As a long time devotee, I hear your voices in my head. 😉 I know immediately if I’m reading Ben or Tiffany and I love you both. I’ve followed Spencer in other groups. I look forward to his contributions to the blog!
Cheers, Spencer!
I was suggesting lucky should also add that as a question for everyone.
Welcome Spencer!
Given you already have your own blog, how are you going to insure you do not “reheat” the content of your blog onto OMAAT?
Great choice Ben & Tiffany! I've read & enjoyed Spencer's posts elsewhere and had a nice chat with him at the ORD Flagship lounge last October. Looking forward to reading your posts here Spencer!
Spencer, hopefully you'll also be able to contribute answering people's specific questions in "Ask Lucky" section.
I actually want to read his Aeropolitics piece. It is very difficult knowledge to gain online, as much of the information is limited to insiders.
Damn, I was really hoping that we could get someone with a different perspective. There have been very few new reviews lately, as Lucky is pretty much the only one travelling. I was hoping you'd add someone who was based in Europe or Asia, someone who actually flies interesting routes, not just another guy to tell me when SPG points go on sale. Disappointed by this news tbh.
Just a note and a warning on that SYD - LAX redemption. It is notoriously hard to come by business class reward space on these flights - I don’t think this is a reason to recommend AsiaMiles. AsiaMiles is not actually a bad program with many other reasons to join, but this isn’t one of them.
Welcome, Spencer! I think OMAAT is lucky to have you. Even if you do like The Apartment. #foolsgold
@EthFlyer I probably won't be telling you about the next SPG sale, but I will be flying around the world a decent bit. I've booked flights between Asia and Europe (Garuda First during the 90% off promo) and am working on another now, hope that makes me acceptable 🙂
@marcus - QF J (and F) awards are certainly tough to find on LAX-SYD but I have helped someone book it with Asia Miles. There are, of course, plenty of other fascinating ways to leverage the program.
@Christine - haha, I had a great time! Sounds like it wasn't worth it for you :/
@JK and Jerry - I'll trust you on this one. I just love the idea of a 5k Park Hyatt!
I'm surprised Tiffany didn't write this post telling us how SUPER DUPER AWESOMELY EXCITED she is to be working with a new blogger.
Ok this isn't personal and I am sure Spencer is a great guy but the blurb talks about new perspectives and what do we get?
A male, North America(?) based premium flyer with some very familiar sounding credit cards (and the huge signups only available to residents of one country), who loves the time he was served by Johan on Emirates Apartments...
This sounds like someone quite familiar and well known?
Welcome Spencer. I’m excited about your focus. Probably need to use Alaska Miles to book RT family multi-site tickets US-Asia in the next few months. But I’m honestly sort of nervous about it because they are a foreign airline and require a phone booking. Would love a post that walks the average person through that process, and what to expect on the call.
Are we going to see a photo of Spencer or not?? Is he afraid of our illustrious family here??
Do not worry Spencer...we are fine folks..you just have to build some courage from time to time..be aware the locals do bite after a fashion..
@Spencer - I find it curious that of the 5 credit cards that you mentioned have constant presence in your wallet, one is Asiana...I hope to perhaps see a detailed post on all the Asiana-related "why" and "how"...
I am contemplating both the card and the "currency", and on the one hand am tempted by inexpensive awards (esp to South America), but on the other hand, find it a little cumbersome not to be able to easily book partner awards online...
anyway, very curious why Asiana is so prominent in your cards selection and hope to see some Asiana posts in the future...