18 years ago today (on February 4, 2008), I launched OMAAT, and published my first post. I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to all OMAAT readers, because I wouldn’t be here without you. I also can’t believe how time flies, and that it has already been 18 years… I guess the blog is now officially “legal!”
In this post:
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I’m not writing this post because I’m looking for any congratulations or recognition (I’m the same way about birthdays). But the reality is that this isn’t about me, it’s about all the awesome members of the OMAAT community who read and comment, as you’re the reason I’m still writing this blog 18 years later.
Words can’t adequately express this, but thank you from the bottom of my heart. Whether you’ve been reading for years or are new here, I really appreciate you. No “job” is perfect, but I’d say mine is pretty close. I’m incredibly fortunate that I get to wake up every morning and cover my favorite industry in the world (gosh, has it changed a lot!), and I make a living doing it no less. I’ll never take that for granted.
I started this blog as a hobby in my freshmen year of college, at the encouragement of Randy Petersen. I never thought I’d make a dime writing this site, let alone that this could end up being my “career.” Tens of thousands of posts later, I’m still here.
This is something that’s only possible thanks to the support of the OMAAT community. So honestly, thank you… I don’t say it enough.
My biggest takeaways from 18 years of blogging
I’m hardly qualified to be a life coach, but I can’t help but share a few thoughts as I reflect on doing this for 18 years. It’s kind of terrifying how time flies. I can’t believe it has been 18 years. I mean, I started this blog when I was 17 years old, so I’ve been writing it for over half my life. I remember back in the day when I was younger than just about everyone else in this space, and now… I’m not.
There have been many things in recent years that have made me more reflective on life, from my mom passing after her long battle with cancer, to being the father to our two amazing sons, Miles and Jet. If anything, blogging has been the most consistent and stable thing in my life. So I’d just like to share two things, particularly with younger people who may be reading.
First of all, time flies, and life is too short not to try to make the most of every day and enjoy life. 18 years has passed by in the blink of an eye. I vividly remember the day I sat down and started the blog, like it was yesterday. As a kid, you always hear older people talk about how time flies, but don’t believe it. Well, I’m very much feeling that now. The days are (sometimes) long, but the years and decades are most definitely short.
Enjoying life doesn’t have to mean giving up your job and partying or traveling like there’s no tomorrow. It can just as easily be seeing the beauty in everyday life, which I’m increasingly appreciating as I get older (and it’s something my mom taught me during her six plus year battle with cancer, as she’d always say that the best years of her life were her last ones, as it’s when she most appreciated life).
Life can also come in many chapters. A little over a decade ago, I was living in hotels full time and was happy as a clam, and now I’m married, have two kids, and certainly have a less carefree life, and am still happy as a clam… but in a different way.
Second of all, don’t ever feel pressure to take a traditional path. I’ve written in the past about how I became a full time blogger. Like I said, this started as a hobby, and I just never believed it could be something I could do full time, because society largely discourages people from sort of doing their own thing (or at least it did 18 years ago… I think times have changed there, for the better).
But I think if you’re passionate enough and are willing to put in consistent effort, anything is possible. And as a quirky introvert, I’m particularly grateful for that, since I’m not sure how well I’d function following someone else’s path for me.
Bottom line
I can’t believe it has already been 18 years of OMAAT, so here’s to the next 18 years, God willing. Thanks so much to everyone who has been here for the ride, I appreciate it more than words can express!
Congratulations, Ben! I still remember when I informed you that long haul SQ J is available on America West miles, I think! That was a glitch but a lot of people got in on it! You put out a blog post immediately and gave me a Hat Tip! So nice to see you grow over the years but keep your humility and style intact. And tremendously benefiting all who read it. Looking to many more years of OMAAT :)
Thank you for your blog, and the knowledge you have passed on to us, especially though for the fun articles showing how hilarious you are!
I started reading your blog 13 years ago, prior to going on my year long study abroad trip, when I wasn't looking to travel in J or F then, but looking for an AF A380 review and pics!
Thanks to the knowledge you shared, my then GF, now Fiance...
Thank you for your blog, and the knowledge you have passed on to us, especially though for the fun articles showing how hilarious you are!
I started reading your blog 13 years ago, prior to going on my year long study abroad trip, when I wasn't looking to travel in J or F then, but looking for an AF A380 review and pics!
Thanks to the knowledge you shared, my then GF, now Fiance and I quit our jobs in April 2022, and traveled around the world until June of 2023, redeeming millions of points to have some incredible flights, trips, and experiences!
Congratulations! I’ve really enjoyed reading your content over the last few years and long may it continue and thrive.
Hi Ben! First time dropping a few lines here, but I just wanted to thank you for all your posts and your sincerity. They are really pleasant to read, and they post so regularly that you are basically my travel companion during my daily commutes! I am based in France so I don't know the US industry very well, but I'm learning a lot! I'd have loved to have such a job, though I realised...
Hi Ben! First time dropping a few lines here, but I just wanted to thank you for all your posts and your sincerity. They are really pleasant to read, and they post so regularly that you are basically my travel companion during my daily commutes! I am based in France so I don't know the US industry very well, but I'm learning a lot! I'd have loved to have such a job, though I realised we're the same age! Anyway, probably on behalf on many "ghosts" transiting through here... Thank you for your nice work!
Sam
Always appreciate your consistency and honesty. Would be great to see a copy of that first post (or select a good one from your first year!).
Congratulations Ben, we appreciate you!
I also want to thank you for all the honest insights and inspiration. I wouldn’t have been able to fly as much premium classes in discount without finding this blog. As a blogger myself as well, thanks once again!
Thanks for all of your hard work over the years. It’s a huge service to provide it to all of us for free and my travel life has been immeasurably better because of it. Keep it up!
Congratulations on the huge milestone! Here's to 18 more
D.O.B. In 1990 Ben, a coincidence or what?
Congratulations!!! You are my favorite read of the day :)
@Lucky: I have been reading you blog every day for over a decade, in fact I check your blog 4-5 times every day. I have learned the “trade” from you and as a result in the past 10 years me and my wife have made countless business class trips all around the world. When I see the smile on my wife’s face when she sits down in business class, that means the world to me.
I think you need to consider the future direction for the blog. It is different than it once was. It used to focus around points, miles, credit cards, and reviews. Over time this has become more biassed with focusing on certain programs. Furthermore, the number of news stories has increased and some are a stretch to be part of the travel industry as some are remotely about something travel related.
Time to register the blog for the draft and to vote. In 3 years we’ll go buy a pack of smokes and a fifth of vodka. Or, I guess, Jager?
I’ve been reading since the ‘United days’ and this is my first stop on the internet each morning; being based in KC and LA you always have a few posts live before I wake up.
Keep doing this as long as you are happy to do it. Congratulations, Ben. Thanks as always for inviting us into your life and family.
Congratulations on this miles-tone
i appreciate the honesty of your reviews of famous and niche flights
best wishes for many more memorable miles ahead
I've dipped in to many travel blogs over the years but this is the only one I've stuck with - for 10 years now. Although I'm an economy flyer, I've always enjoyed following your trips and appreciate your perspectives. All the best to you and yours.
I'm not much older than you are and have been following your adventures ever since you crossed the Pacific Ocean 6 times in 5 days. My own life has evolved not so dissimilar in those years—from weekend mileage runs to Singapore, Bangkok, and Honk Kong, to a house, husband, and chasing a 5 year old around the playground. While I still get to sneak in a "useless" trip to nowhere every once in a while...
I'm not much older than you are and have been following your adventures ever since you crossed the Pacific Ocean 6 times in 5 days. My own life has evolved not so dissimilar in those years—from weekend mileage runs to Singapore, Bangkok, and Honk Kong, to a house, husband, and chasing a 5 year old around the playground. While I still get to sneak in a "useless" trip to nowhere every once in a while (you'll never get the avgeek out of me), I continuously admire how you've been able to turn your passion into a career—keep doing what you're doing, and best wishes to you and your family!
Thank you for keeping the blog and OMAAT community going all these years, Ben.
I very much admire your dedication, fortitude, patience, expertise, and enthusiasm.
(By the way, is Winston a cavapoo?)
Since you write your blog also through the family aspect, have you already applied the German citizenship to your sons? To give them possibility for travel without visas, a selection of living and study and maybe revoke the US citizenship in the future, if they want that for whatever reason it may be.
Congratulations, Ben! I never miss your posts since I found your blog about 10 years ago. Keep it going to help us make sense of this beserk industry.
Thank you, too, for your help with my crazy AS-WY luggage impasse.
I hardly ever post a comment. But I can't not tell you congratulations for having the best travel blog out there for 18 years. I read your blog every day. Please never retire from it!!!!
Thank you for all your fabulous work Ben! I greatly enjoy and appreciate reading your posts. Here's to the next 18 years!
Congratulations Ben!
Here's to many more years.
As we say in German, Mazel Tov!!
Thank you for providing many unbiased insights for all these years. Hopefully many more years to come!
We're just about the same age and I've been reading from almost the beginning, so I actually hate this annual blog because it always gives me an "oh sh*t" moment (18 years?!) lol.
Congrats! Keep doing you - it's the only place I routinely come back to and has been invaluable over the years. It was no surprise that when I met Ben Smith last year and mentioned I had read all about the...
We're just about the same age and I've been reading from almost the beginning, so I actually hate this annual blog because it always gives me an "oh sh*t" moment (18 years?!) lol.
Congrats! Keep doing you - it's the only place I routinely come back to and has been invaluable over the years. It was no surprise that when I met Ben Smith last year and mentioned I had read all about the new LP product here, he RAVED about you. Much deserved and looking forward to much more.
Congratulations Ben. I'm a relative newcomer compared to some of the other readers on your website, but it has quickly become a staple of my daily life and I always find time to read the many posts that pique my interest. Your blog has opened my eyes into the world of miles and points redemptions and has shown me that business and first class flights are accessible without spending a fortune, as well as giving...
Congratulations Ben. I'm a relative newcomer compared to some of the other readers on your website, but it has quickly become a staple of my daily life and I always find time to read the many posts that pique my interest. Your blog has opened my eyes into the world of miles and points redemptions and has shown me that business and first class flights are accessible without spending a fortune, as well as giving me several properties that are on my bucket list to visit (e.g., Airelles). Thank you for this and I wish you the best of luckfor your blog for many years to come.
I've been following this site since 2021. I have learned so much and jumped into the points game which has rewarded me with many Business and First Class flights all over the world. I cannot thank Ben enough.
Ben thank you so very much for the blog and the spirit with which you write it. I can't remember when I came across OMAT maybe 8-10 years ? but I look forward to every day to 1700hrs when you arrive in my in box. I also appreciate that you are a fellow gay man and fellow Floridian and I am grateful for you sharing your wonderful family with all of us.
Very best wishes for (at least) 18 more years !
Congrats Ben- that's really forward looking for a 17yo! Glad it's worked out.
On a related tangent, seems the "Meet Ben Schlappig, OMAAT Founder" footer hasn't been updating? I glanced at the other day and again now, and I think it has the same numbers though you've published quite a few articles since then...
OMAAT is my homepage when I fire up my browser. Keep doing what you're doing. Love the content, insights and personal input. Its a nice contrast to the lunacy of the world.
Congrats Ben! I've only been reading the blog since 2024, but I think I will be here for many years to come, as this has become my go-to site for my daily dose of aviation news.
As someone who has read this blog for close to the entirety of your 18 years blogging, I wanted to send a heartfelt THANK YOU for your countless posts, great insights and updates on your life and family over the years. When I first started out as a Management Consultant traveling weekly to nowadays where I’m traveling a bit less, I’ve become the de facto “points expert” for all my friends and family. I’ve had...
As someone who has read this blog for close to the entirety of your 18 years blogging, I wanted to send a heartfelt THANK YOU for your countless posts, great insights and updates on your life and family over the years. When I first started out as a Management Consultant traveling weekly to nowadays where I’m traveling a bit less, I’ve become the de facto “points expert” for all my friends and family. I’ve had amazing experiences thanks to all your wisdom. Cheers and looking forward to next 18!
Honestly shocked that you are under 40. No shade intended, but both your appearance and especially your personality suggest a man much older than you claim to be.
It's truly fascinating that you looked at such a heartfelt post and thought your unsolicited opinion on someone’s physical appearance was the missing piece of the conversation. I can’t imagine being so deeply uncomfortable in my own skin that I’d feel the need to project that onto a stranger. I hope you eventually find a personality that's more interesting than your bitterness.
Congrats!
A reader for 16 years or so!
I read OMAAT every day.
I've benefited in innumerable ways (monetarily, emotionally, philosophically, and of course ego satisfaction when I write a particularly brilliant comment).
I've watched OMAAT calmly do what OMAAT does while the attention economy endlessly tempts it to "branch out" with the latest trend.
I continue to nurse my regret that the one seminar I couldn't get into (sold out way in advance) at Chicago Seminars a billion years ago was Ben's...
I read OMAAT every day.
I've benefited in innumerable ways (monetarily, emotionally, philosophically, and of course ego satisfaction when I write a particularly brilliant comment).
I've watched OMAAT calmly do what OMAAT does while the attention economy endlessly tempts it to "branch out" with the latest trend.
I continue to nurse my regret that the one seminar I couldn't get into (sold out way in advance) at Chicago Seminars a billion years ago was Ben's ("you gotta see this guy, he's so smart and he's just a teenager!"), on a par with my regret at the grotesquely stupid decision not to fly Concorde because I "couldn't afford it", when I had room on a card.
It's been heartwarming watching Ben, an admirably civilized person (airline pjs in airport terminals notwithstanding; I wonder if Ford even knows) grow from a teen prodigy, to a points and miles junkie living in hotels, to a married man (Go Newfoundland!) with children.
I've been moved seeing an extreme introvert come out of the closet on his highly visible public platform, knowing the lifelong cost but I hope, finding unexpected rewards too.
Mostly though, I've profited, more than handsomely, by the articulate, clear, detailed guidance I've received for nothing. After 15 years of following OMAAT more than any other source in my cherished hobby/ way of life, I have a useful roadmap and pretty advanced "instincts" for the game. Thanks for the free way of life, Ben. Tens of thousands of dollars in value.
OMAAT is special. Ben might understand this on one level, but not fully appreciate it on another level. he's too modest and centred. Readers understand what I mean. OMAAT is not the same.
We're all "Lucky".
Me, I'm deeply grateful.
We are all indeed lucky. And in the most heartfelt, unironic way possible, ”and of course ego satisfaction when I write a particularly brilliant comment” made me snort laughing. Don’t ever change, DenB.
we are so "Lucky" to have you! Keep up the good work and thank you for doing such a good job and keeping the click-bait down to a nice required minimum. I know you are sacrificing a lot of revenue by not going the way of some of the other points sites and the daily readers cant thank you enough!
I see what you did there
Congrats Ben! OMAAT is one of two loyalty/points blogs I’ve been reading religiously daily for over a decade (the other one is TPG but more out of inertia/FOMO than anything else cause it’s gone downhill) no matter where I am, including now reading/commenting while waiting for my flight in the Fiji Airways Premier lounge. Here’s to many decades more!
Oh jeez, I've known you since long before you even had the blog! Now you are making me feel really old. Congrats to OMAAT on achieving adulthood :)
...you ARE really old!
~signed,
dude you've been teaching for more than a quarter century ;)
I got into points and miles world in 2013, and OMAAT was one of the first points blogs I regularly followed. For a number of reasons, it is also the only one I still read to this day. I've learned so much in reading OMAAT and have also thoroughly enjoyed following your journey over the last 13 years. You are truly of one of the best out there, Lucky, and so cheers to all your growth and success. Here's to another 18 years and hopefully much more!
Happy birthday, @Benny!
From someone that’s been reading since ~2012 and has you to thank for a number of unforgettable travel experiences: THANK YOU!
I’ve been reading for just over 11 years (half my life as well pretty coincidentally) and Ben I can assure you that every day I have had internet access I have checked this blog, with no exception. It is my go to for everything aviation and I can’t thank you enough for your consistency and integrity. Congrats on this achievement, here’s to another 18 years!
An incredible achievement, Ben. It's impressive to me how much you've contributed to shaping/influencing the miles/points/credit card landscape for the better part of two decades.
I owe a lot to you and this blog. Like many people, I've used knowledge I've gained from reading OMAAT to help my family travel extensively on awards. And aside from my then-young, now-adult kids thinking every flight will be in business class, it's been an absolute blast.
Congratulations on...
An incredible achievement, Ben. It's impressive to me how much you've contributed to shaping/influencing the miles/points/credit card landscape for the better part of two decades.
I owe a lot to you and this blog. Like many people, I've used knowledge I've gained from reading OMAAT to help my family travel extensively on awards. And aside from my then-young, now-adult kids thinking every flight will be in business class, it's been an absolute blast.
Congratulations on your anniversary. I plan on being here for the 20th. I hope you are, too.
Thanks for always being a role model for other bloggers out there, and always putting us as the reader first (ahead of lots of other incentives) – you've been a great inspiration to so many of us!
I've been following your blog for quite a while too! While not as long as this blog, a decade is quite long too!
I even remember you having a coffee with someone from CX taking a tour around Cathay City and I remember that they wanted Cathay to be more like Virgin. Hah!
Congratulations, well done, and thank you.
Well done, Ben. Thank you for what you do.
Best travel vlogger there is - thank you all the way from Guam!
Thank you for making my mornings better for more than a decade Ben. You’re one of the few people I’ve seen online that didn’t let your success change who you really are. It’s funny because I’ve never met you personally, but after reading your blog for so long, I feel so happy and satisfied for what you have achieved. We all know that there are some people here who will write you some nice words...
Thank you for making my mornings better for more than a decade Ben. You’re one of the few people I’ve seen online that didn’t let your success change who you really are. It’s funny because I’ve never met you personally, but after reading your blog for so long, I feel so happy and satisfied for what you have achieved. We all know that there are some people here who will write you some nice words here and then, but deep inside they are burning with jealousy and want nothing but to see you fail, but guess what: your character and the overwhelming majority of readers who appreciate you will never let that happen. Keep on climbing and once again thank you so much. We’re all proud of you.
Here since 2013 from the UK when I was looking for the best way to upgrade a return trip to Oz to visit my family. Love the trip reports I find them very interesting to read and like your style of writing. Always appreciate the credit you give when we point you towards newsworthy articles. All the best
Congrats, Ben! I've been a reader for well over a decade and enjoy your POV on the industry. Probably helps we're roughly the same age. :)
Anyway, keep going!
Cheers and thank you!
thanks for providing a great service and making it better every day!
Congrats to you!
Congrats!
I've been with you since you've been flying Northwest, so I would say 2009-ish or so. And I've been with you since from your travels with your parents, your friendship, engagement and eventual marriage and birth of your 2 sons, down to your dog Winston, vision correction surgery and the unfortunate loss of your mom due to cancer. And through all of that, you have been strong and it took a lot of courage to...
I've been with you since you've been flying Northwest, so I would say 2009-ish or so. And I've been with you since from your travels with your parents, your friendship, engagement and eventual marriage and birth of your 2 sons, down to your dog Winston, vision correction surgery and the unfortunate loss of your mom due to cancer. And through all of that, you have been strong and it took a lot of courage to share all your life's moments with us. And with that, thank you, thank you, thank you.
And just a recap of what I've remembered of the years since I've been dying to refresh your memory haha:
-Your first crack at The Residence was pretty memorable. You had everything from a monogrammed robe, a custom lobster roll, down to a signed photo of Shawn Mendes exactly placed by your bedside as well as a diecast model A380. Unfortunately they couldn't fulfill your request of a walkaround of the aircraft as you did not have a UAE passport. I even remember your personal butler Johan(yoo-wan).
-I remember your interactions with Janesis on SQ many years ago.
-Your flights with Toby were memorable as well as your surprise flight with your dad on Emirates' A380 more than a decade ago. He took a photo with the signature garb on behind the bar and your dad was presented with a cake so big he shared it with the entire First Class cabin. Good to see you and Toby reconnect right before he left the company.
-One flight of yours I truly remember was a CX flight from New York to Vancouver. A Vancouver based flight attendant kept calling you "hun" during your interactions and you loved her! Apparently, you didn't feel the same way about the average dessert with a Hershey's like syrup! I also remember one of your Thai cabin crew on another CX flight Wannaporn which made you chuckle.
-Your trip to Uzbekistan; A local gave a thumbs up on Obama & Trump and a thumbs down to Bush; Alrigthy then. And they kept on insisting they invite you over.
-I'll probably add Qatar's inaugural A350 flight with CNNs Questy, Sam Chui, and Al-Baker himself. I even remember down to the shocked look of one of the cabin crew when they asked him to be seated because of turbulence and simply brushed it off by saying, "It's okay, I'm crew" or something to that extent.
-On one of US Airways flights, I remember the flight attendants just yelling across the cabin just to finish the service.
I hope I was able to refresh your memory and remind you how long we've been together.
Congratulations. You are the best travel blogger out there!
Gary Leff would like a word.
Gary Leff and Ben are equally awesome - in a different way. Both bloggers got me into miles/points and maximizing credit cards. Thank you for the daily reports, the controversial articles and for the tons of comments from your followers. The best of luck in the future.
Congratulations, Ben (or back in the day, Lucky). I have enjoyed following this blog nearly every day for the last 13 years, and it's helped me and my family plan many vacations. Really helpful for us.
Keep up the good work.
I also feel like I saw you on an early morning flight from YVR-SEA in Nov 2018 in a bulkhead seat with Ford, but I was too uncertain to say hi. So here it is - and you can tell me if that was you or not.
Congrats Ben and thank you - especially for walking the line between educating people and not selling out. You've helped me so much over the years so you're always my go to for referrals if there's a new CC I want to get.
Okay let's be real here. The content is neat and organized. It's also affiliate marketing. Every post about whether a credit card is worth it? always ends in YES.
Let's not forget that point multipliers and signing bonuses incentivize people to spend more than they organically would.
A ton of people are in fact better off with a Fidelity 2% everywhere Visa and just buying the hotels and air tickets they want.
k
What I really want to know is what happened to Janesis?
Hahaha
I do remember those days
A huge congrats Lucky! I've been lurking on this blog since late 2016, back when the blog had the boardingarea banner. I'm 19 right now, so I started reading the blog when I was 10 (probably one of the youngest readers of your blog lol)
Many congrats! I can't believe I've been reading you for nearly that long!
I always REALLY enjoy your content. Thank you!
It's kind of crazy to think about. I started looking to get into this hobby when I was about 14 and found your blog. Now I'm about a decade older than how old you were when you started it. Thanks for being one of the cool ones, and here's to many more years!
Congratulations, Ben. What an achievement.
May I ask that you please stop banning my accounts?
Cheers and thanks!