I'm asked all the time how I got obsessed with the mileage game, especially since I started quite young. I've told the story dozens of times in person, though I don't think I've ever posted about it, so here we go. I've always been obsessed with airplanes. I remember being seven and having my mind…
Continue reading: How I got started mileage running…
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Great story. I'm 15 and just started collecting miles this year with Skymiles (I know they're not the greatest) and I can already feel the bug biting (I even got my parents into it). I love saving money and getting a good deal and, like you, enjoy beating the system. I have always loved traveling and airplanes and am lucky enough to do a lot of flying for someone my age. I really like your blog and have been reading for about nine months. Keep up the good work!
@lucky: how do you have so much time to mileage run? Aren't you in college? or does that not matter lol
Your story sounds very familiar to something I read on July 29th last year. But it was good to read a slightly different take on it! 😉
Your post reminded me of the tremendous Air France trip report you wrote for airliners.net.
I credit that trip report as one of the primary things that got me started mileage running.
^
@ johosofat -- Thanks for reading. Sounds like you're on the right track and keep at it.
@ Ben -- I make the time.
@ Matthew -- ROFL. FML...
Ah yes. I remember that promo.
Ben said 'Even though it was around the same time that most people thought United wouldn’t survive'...
While I admit to being nervous about my UA miles post September 11th, the word on FT was to sit tight and don't worry. At the time, I didn't follow that advice and spent 40,000 miles x 4 for Business class seat JFK/SFO on the old 767-200's. I spent a nice New Years weekend with my family. It was a good trip, especially for my kids. They stayed in a room at the Hilton, while my wife and I stayed in a junior suite at t. Some of you may recall that Hilton was very generous with their promos at the time.
Great story ... I remember the Great Offer so well. I'd been a 2P the year before (my first time as an elite), but the GO pushed me to 1K. I haven't made it back since, but it was a heck of a year and a half while it lasted ...
Everytime I booked a flight on Orbitz or Expedia I felt I was getting scammed. I always had this instinct that somebody out there was getting a better deal and it made me indecisive and uncomfortable. Your blog and our meetups have been instrumental to me "getting the deal" and getting comfortable with all my bookings. I don't know everything but I do know a lot more now thanks to you and flyertalk. I feel great about my bookings, my redemptions, and I definitely feel more confident. Thanks for that gift and for keeping up this great blog. Nice post!
Interesting reading. I am a follower of your blog and thanks for all the info u provide us. I am a newbie but learning quickly. My question would be where did u get the $700 from at 14?