Frequent Flyer Funnies: When Elves Go Bad

by BoardingArea | June 14, 2024 | 0 Comments

Welcome back to our sky-high series, #FrequentFlyerFunnies, where we find the humor in the hustle of racking up those miles. This week, we’re navigating a hilarious marketing mishap involving Kellogg’s. Fasten your seatbelts for a laugh!

This is a black-and-white cartoon illustration. At the top, there is a news item dated April 28, 2003, stating that the Kellogg Company could not explain why thousands of emails incorrectly informed sweepstakes contestants that they had won 25,000 Advantage Miles. The text suggests that this might be what happens "when elves go bad." The main part of the cartoon shows three elves interacting with a large computer. The computer screen displays a message saying, "YOU'VE WON 25,000 MILES! LOVE, KELLOGGS," with a "SEND" button. One elf is standing on the keyboard, another is climbing the computer, and the third is on the floor. The elves are labeled "SNAP," "CRACKLE," and "POP." Below the cartoon, there is a caption that reads: "A Frequent Flyer Throwback—a true story when even Kellogg's couldn't understand frequent flyer miles. Fast forward, many companies still make fat finger marketing mistakes."

What the Comic Shows:

The comic features a humorous take on a real incident from April 28, 2003, where the Kellogg Company mistakenly informed thousands of sweepstakes contestants that they had won 25,000 Advantage Miles. The comic imagines that mischievous elves, dressed as Kellogg’s mascots, are behind the erroneous emails. The elves are shown causing havoc on a giant keyboard, sending out the incorrect messages.

Punchline:

“When Elves Go Bad”

Why We’re Chuckling:

The idea of tiny, mischievous elves wreaking havoc in a corporate office is a hilarious visual representation of a marketing blunder. It plays on the absurdity of the situation and gives a whimsical twist to a simple error, suggesting that even something as magical as elves can sometimes mess things up.

Dive Deeper with Us:

  • Marketing Mishaps: Have you ever experienced a marketing error that left you either laughing or frustrated? Share your stories of bizarre or funny marketing blunders.
  • Elves in the Office: The comic imagines mischievous elves causing trouble. What’s the most unusual explanation you’ve ever heard for a workplace mistake?
  • Frequent Flyer Follies: Have you ever had an issue with your frequent flyer miles? Whether it’s a missing reward or an unexpected bonus, we want to hear your experiences.
  • Behind the Scenes: This comic highlights a behind-the-scenes error. Do you have any insights or stories about what goes on behind the scenes in the world of travel marketing or rewards programs?

And there you have it—another laugh-inducing look at the quirks and oddities of the frequent flyer world. Whether it’s mischievous elves or marketing missteps, there’s always a funny story behind the miles we chase. Stay tuned for more #FrequentFlyerFunnies as we continue to explore the lighter side of travel. Until next time, keep your sense of humor high and your points even higher!

Frequent Flyer Funnies
Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Miler
Welcome to 2026! Here’s what we predict in miles, points, credit cards, and rewards programs
Readers and podcast listeners often ask us what we think will happen. For many years, we’ve given our educated guesses. Year after year, we have tried our hand at predicting the future with a series of predictions about what we think might be coming in the new year as it...
Nerd Ka Travel
Can American Finally Make DFW Work in the Rain?
American Airlines is making significant operational changes at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, its largest and most important hub. The airline says the updates are designed to improve schedule reliability, customer connections, and overall performance across its network. DFW plays […]
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Will 2026 Be a Happy New Year For You?
Today is Tuesday, December 31, 2024, which is New Year’s Eve. This is typically the bittersweet time of year in which members of frequent travel loyalty programs have mixed feelings: those who have achieved elite level status are thrilled or pleased that they have at least another year to enjoy...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Bangkok Airways FlyerBonus: Receive an 80% discount on award tickets! (Yes, 80%!) Book by Jan 10
Bangkok Airways are kicking off their FlyerBonus 20th anniversary celebrations with a huge discounted award flight offer! FlyerBonus members can get 80% off award flights booked by January 10 for travel anytime in 2026. I had wondered when we posted all of the 20th anniversary promotions last week why there...
Points With a Crew
The Easiest Way To Get Your Free $50 From Rakuten (Deal Ends Tonight!!)
If you're not sure how to take advantage of the easy $50 welcome bonus from Rakuten, here is in my opinion the best way to get some easy money. Simply ...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Air France KLM Flying Blue Promo Rewards: Save 25% on select reward flights (January 2026 edition)
The newest set of Air France KLM’s Promo Rewards are now available. This month there are 37 cities in total, all of which are 25% off their standard minimum redemption amount for economy, premium economy and business class redemptions (fare class varies by route). ** Be sure to wait until...
You Are Travel
The Year in Review: My Top 5 Flights From 2025
tl;dr – There were some good ones to pick from but I’ve narrowed the list! I’m grateful for… The post The Year in Review: My Top 5 Flights From 2025 appeared first on You Are Travel.
You Are Travel
Whew! – I Just Caught a Last Minute Posting Error that Could Have Prevented Me From Hyatt Globalist
​tl;dr – PSA: Remember to Check Your Elite Night Credit Postings ​A quick reminder for anyone pursuing status… The post Whew! – I Just Caught a Last Minute Posting Error that Could Have Prevented Me From Hyatt Globalist appeared first on You Are Travel.
View from the Wing
Starting January 7, British Airways Cuts Real Breakfast From Short Business Class Flights — Yogurt and Pastry Replace the Full English
Starting January 7, British Airways will stop serving a full English-style hot breakfast on its shortest business class routes out of London. Club Europe passengers will get fruit, yogurt, and pastry instead—another cost-cut that chips away at the one thing European business class usually still does well: catering. Continue reading Starting...
Frequent Miler
British Airways shopping portal: Earn 4x-8x at Giftcards.com
Yesterday we covered the increased rates available for Giftcards.com purchases through a few different shopping portals. It turns out that the British Airways shopping portal is also offering higher rates for gift card purchases from that site too. The Deal Earn 4x-8x Avios on Giftcards.com purchases through the British Airways...
One Mile at a Time
Ugh: Misdirected Delay Frustration In The Lufthansa First Class Terminal
For the return portion ofour Good Morning Milan, Goodnight Moon trip,my dad and I flew Lufthansa first class from Frankfurt (FRA) to Boston (BOS). Arguably the best part of the experience is being able to use the Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt (FCT), so that you can skip the main...
The Bulkhead Seat
Still Gross: 2026 Airline Water Study Ranks the Water Safety On Board US Airlines
It has been years since I have consumed coffee or tea on an airplane.… The post Still Gross: 2026 Airline Water Study Ranks the Water Safety On Board US Airlines appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Points With a Crew
Kickstarter: Multiwallet Dual-Wallet System
The Multiwallet dual-wallet system from Chiseled Design is made out of genuine leather and comes with RFID blocking, a passport holder, and ...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Frequent Flyers Are Up In Arms As British Airways Eliminates Hot Breakfast On Many Short-Haul Routes
British Airways has just made yet another unpopular announcement – the airline is eliminating hot breakfasts in its Club Europe business class cabin on many short-haul routes, and the reason is so that cabin crew have more time to interact with the passengers. Perhaps understandably, the announcement has not gone...
You Are Travel
Checking in on Blackbeard’s 2025 Predictions – How’d I Do?
​tl;dr – Spoiler alert: Nostradamus, I am not. ​At the beginning of the year, I published Blackbeard’s 2025… The post Checking in on Blackbeard’s 2025 Predictions – How’d I Do? appeared first on You Are Travel.
Frequent Miler
Kroger: Earn 4x fuel points on 3rd party gift cards; fixed-value Visa & Mastercard gift cards
Kroger is again running a promotion that awards 4x fuel points on third-party gift cards, whether purchased online or in-store, as well as on fixed-value Visa and Mastercard gift cards. Note that the promotion dates are different depending on the cards. Third party gift cards are 4x on Friday January...
The Bulkhead Seat
2025 In Review: My Top 10 Hotel Stays
I spent more than 150 nights in hotels (between business and leisure travel) in… The post 2025 In Review: My Top 10 Hotel Stays appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Coming Soon (Maybe): Southwest Mulls First Class Seating. Logical Next Step Or Desperate Move?
Southwest Airlines is ‘seriously considering’ equipping at least some of its Boeing 737s with bigger, plusher seats up front – the Dallas-based carrier’s first foray into First Class seating. Given all the other changes that Southwest has already made or announced in 2025, the introduction of First Class seems more...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
One of My Best Lodging Stays Ever: Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton. Hotel Review.
I recently experienced one of my best lodging stays ever at Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton in the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador. The experience initially did not start off well: upon arrival at... The post One of My Best Lodging Stays Ever: Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection Hotel by...
You Are Travel
Bulgaria to Adopt the EURO as of January 1, 2026
​tl;dr – Bulgaria will be the 21st member of the eurozone. ​Bulgaria, everyone’s favorite Black Sea nation, will… The post Bulgaria to Adopt the EURO as of January 1, 2026 appeared first on You Are Travel.
Economondo
Time Travelling: Planespotting in Manchester in 2009
Travel back in time with me to 2009 to do some planespotting at Manchester Airport!
View from the Wing
She Pointed Her Feet at the Ceiling To Survive 12 Hours in Economy — Did This Flight ‘Hack’ Cross The Line?
A Pilates instructor on a 12-hour flight from Paris raised both legs straight up the cabin wall just to get through 10-plus hours in economy — and TikTok turned her stretch into a referendum on coach etiquette. Here’s what really happened on board, what she says about the flight, and...
Your Mileage May Vary
Is It Worth Buying IHG Points? Sometimes It’s the Cheapest Way to Book a Hotel
Buying hotel points can feel like one of those things people do when they’ve lost the plot. I get it — I even wrote about it a while back when…
Economy Class & Beyond
REVIEW 2025 – Kevin’s Years in Numbers
It’s time for me to look back on my year in flying, as I dive into my numbers.   Because everyone loves numbers. Maps are good. Here’s one that I generated on https://www.greatcirclemap.com, showing my adventures (few as they were) this year. The big numbers for 2025 – around the same...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories

Our Bloggers