This is just a reminder that the next FTU event will take place this weekend, in Washington D.C. — if you don’t have tickets to either the FTU, or the adjacent Travel & Adventure Show, now’s a great time!
Continue reading: Reminder: Frequent Traveler University PLUS The Travel & Adventure Show
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Or you could just learn everything from information posted on the internet. A disgrace to the word "university".
This is more of a social event than a 'university.' There's nothing more that can be learned after reading these articles.
Agree @ Eric no value to be had , also definitely a sort of elite , Aloof snobbery and lack of engagement with presenters ended my 3 time visits - No thanks ! | The End
OK, I'll bite. I have no f'ing idea what "Manufactured Spending" is. Anyone care to enlighten the noob?
@Marky Mark You find ways to generate CC spend in order to earn points, but then just pay it off right away. For example, years ago the mint released dollar coins for sale at face value. You buy $10,000 of coins, deposit the $10,000 immediately and then pay off the CC charge. You earn points for this transaction and repeat over and over. Most "methods" exist for brief periods until issuers find out about them and get them shut down. You're likely get your accounts shut down and your points taken away if you're caught. Some people do it just to hit sign-up bonuses, while others do it constantly for the attrition points.
@JackG Thank you! Yes, I had heard about the U.S. Mint dollar coins schtick. Didn't know the terminology though. What other kind of schemes have there been?
I've been going to FTU for years now and am very much looking forward to the DC event. Not only do I get to geek out with fellow miles and points enthusiasts, many whom I met at previous events and have become close friends with , but I invariably pick up several new tips and tricks towards collecting or redeeming my miles and points.
Tiffany is an ace presenter - can't wait to hear her and some of my other favorite speakers.
I'm going. Looking forward to hearing your talk, Tiffany.
Other readers: Is anyone else from Pittsburgh going?
@Marky Mark - oh there have been several "Manufactured Spend" strategies that have gone by the wayside. You used to be able to load debit cards (Target Redcards, Bluebird, Serve), that have on-line bill-paying features, with either credit cards (Target) or Visa gift cards (purchased at Staples for 5X pts), then pay any bill - mortgage, credit card, utilities.
Manufactured spend strategies are usually not illegal. They can look like money laundering, so many banks or stores shut them down when they figure them out. They don't want to deal with who is legal and who isn't. Plus, it costs them money.
Bloggers used to blog about strategies, but most don't anymore. The more people who know about them, the more quickly they get shut down. Thus the conversations on the fringes of the conference.
How is this different from the Chicago Seminars in October each year?
This is your chance to sell.
@ John -- I'm not involved in organizing either event, and have been to nine of ten Chicago Seminars, and many of the FTUs, so don't have anything to "sell" here. The Chicago events are cozy, and more homespun. FTU is higher production, and coupling with a big travel show is a new spin. I like both.
CVS Vanilla reload cards were the heyday of manufactured spend............today's techniques are more complex and not as profitable so after you figure in all your travel costs and exposure to other nasty sick people on the plane it might be more productive to stay home..........
is this like Trump University?
No actual transferable college credit...or accreditation?
@Marky Mark
It is basically a way to earn points w/o actually costing you anything (in the perfect case).
For example, if you could buy money orders with a credit card for no or little cost, then go to the bank and deposit them and repeat.
Some people take a bit more risk and will buy products online with a credit card and then go online and sell the product hoping to break even.
Or go to an office store and buy $5,000 worth of gift cards that earn you 5X points per $ spend and then resell the gift cards or deposit them into various accounts.
There are a lot of options (at least in the past) but as others said, it is likely to get you into trouble and not very ethical.
@Karen -- it appears that's the only purpose of this blog these days.
Oh -- and Housewives references.
@Rich. Are you sure it could be problematic if I buy let's say Amazon gift cards at Office Depot and then apply it to my own Amazon account? It seems legit to me since I would be using my card and my (Amazon) account. And they always check that the name on the ID corresponds with the name on the credit card.
@Will
Yes. Now you know it. Don't attend.
@Daniel B
Do it a few hundred you're fine, do it a few thousand, you look like you're laundering money or hacking gift cards. And banks, store, CC doesn't even care to if you are legitimate or not. They just shut you down to prevent problems because they can.
Just imagine how hard your life will be if you can't bank or buy Amazon.
We are in Bariloche at Llao Llao. Leaving Thursday for Buenos Aires where we bunk at the Park Hyatt Palacio Duhau for the weekend. Then off to the beach at Jose Ignacio, Uruguay. Sorry, too busy doing it to hit DC and listen to people yap about how to do it.
You guys might have to get real jobs soon. The golden age of travel blogging will be over thanks to the virus.
@Tiffany&Co
You may have “real” jobs, but no careers. Sanders, if elected, will pay you whole $15/hr for your "real" jobs
@Mr G
What makes you think blogging isn't a real job?
Do you think playing games is a real job? This kid called Ninja makes more than $10M.
This is a clash of boomers vs millennials.
Look at what @tony kline thinks of a real job, a boomer earning minimum wage.
By the way, "Sanders, if elected," is like a "AOC, if smarter", yep LOL.
Bernie is going to screw the only person that can beat Trump again like he did to Hillary last time. I think he would thrive under Putin.
Trump can try to MAGA, Bernie could try to MUSSRGA.