I love connecting with others in person at fun frequent flyer events, so in case you feel the same, here is some info on various events that are coming up soon! Star MegaDo 5: I wrote about this event here, but basically it is a chartered Air Canada flight from Toronto to Tuscon to San Francisco.  Along the way there will be plenty of social events, an AMARC inside tour, a… Read the Rest.

I want to share a few quick updates about some things in the miles and points world…. This site and all of BoardingArea will be moving to a fancier server starting tonight.  My normal morning post will go out late tonight, so there will still be some new content for anyone who would like to visit tomorrow morning while drinking their requisite cup of coffee, but the ability to comment… Read the Rest.

Other than the (almost) free travel, one of my favorite perks of the miles and points world is getting to connect with others who share this same hobby.  A great way to do that in-person is at many of the frequent flyer events.  There are Mega Dos (big organized and sponsored events), Mini Dos (small and informal events), and in-person miles and points seminars. If you want to come to… Read the Rest.

A few weeks ago I presented at the Chicago Seminars on hotel and airline elite status basics, fast tracks, and short cuts.  While “free” travel is my primary focus and goal, elite status has really surged in importance to my own family in the last 12 months.  It is not at all a “status” thing for me, but it is a very practical way to make travel much more comfortable,… Read the Rest.

I’m just coming off an amazing weekend at the Chicago Seminars – The Frugal Travel Guy and The Points Guy did an amazing job putting on a fun and informative weekend filled with points and miles! I’m sure you will read about the seminars on many other sites, but here is a quick rundown of why you should come next year, as well as my favorite (shareable) tip of the… Read the Rest.

One of the things I love about United is their Same Day Change policy.  With this policy, space permitting, you are able to change your flight to another flight once you are within 24 hours of the original flight.  In practice what that means is that once you check-in for your flight you can potentially switch to an earlier or later flight that better meets your schedule.  The routing on… Read the Rest.

If 2011 was the year that I went in big on the US Airways Grand Slam, then 2012 was the year of getting elite status for my family.  At the Chicago Seminars in 2011, The Frugal Travel Guy asked if I would be willing to present at 2012 Seminar.  Since I was hopelessly hooked on the Grand Slam, it made sense that I would present on that topic in October… Read the Rest.

Hope you are having a good weekend whether you are curled up at home on your couch (or bed) with some coffee, or are out and about half a world from home.  Today I am keeping it short and simple with some updates from the world of miles and points: In case you missed it, I have a post up on the Travel Channel blog about how to still obtain… Read the Rest.

Update: Sounds like there may be a Chicago “fare war” popping up today from various locations, so check and see if today is the day for you to book your flights to the Chicago Seminars!  Thanks to @foofiter  for Tweeing me about the good deal on flights he got from ATL for the seminars.  He says many airlines were participating in this “fare war”.  I love some friendly airline competition!… Read the Rest.

I posted earlier today that I literally did a happy dance when I saw that a 50% transfer bonus had been launched from American Express Membership Rewards to British Airways, and I really did.  In my office….by myself.  There have been lots of posts today in the miles and points blogosphere about the transfer bonus and how to maximize some of the best uses for Avios points, so I will… Read the Rest.