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
Economondo
Not Your Standard Leisure Airline! A Surprisingly Good Flight on a Neos Dreamliner: Rhodes to Verona
Flying on Italian leisure carrier Neos on one of their Dreamliners between Rhodes and Verona
One Mile at a Time
My Worst, Most Memorable Flights Ever, From The Scary To The Awkward
Over the years, I’ve flown around five million miles, across a countless number of airlines. Obviously there’s some variance between flights, but for the most part, things go pretty smoothly, and not much catches me off guard.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
United’s Crew Union Tried to Shut Down Gay Catholic Flight Attendant’s Lawsuit — A Judge Just Said No
A gay Catholic former United flight attendant who is suing the airline after he lost his job for sharing social media posts that argued that transgender rights should not be linked with the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual movement has won a legal battle to stop his lawsuit from being thrown...
Frequent Miler
Current Amex Offers
This post is designed to show current Amex Offers. If you have any Amex cards, even authorized user cards, then you’re eligible to sign up for offers when you log into your Amex account. If you’re planning to shop or book travel, check this page to see if an Amex...
View from the Wing
Delta’s Middle East Plan Leaks: Atlanta Nonstops To Israel And Saudi Arabia Coming In End Of Year Announcement
Delta's plan to announce new service to both Israel and Saudi Arabia just leaked. The carrier intends to announce both flights from Atlanta. Continue reading Delta’s Middle East Plan Leaks: Atlanta Nonstops To Israel And Saudi Arabia Coming In End Of Year Announcement...
You Are Travel
Wyndham Has a Mystery Points Sale: Skip the Hyatt and Redeem Those Wyndham Rewards for Max Value at This Collection of Properties
💡 Tl;dr – For a few more days, you can Wyndham Rewards points with up to an 80%…
View from the Wing
Leaked: Delta’s Risky Plan For LA–Hong Kong Flights Failed Before—Does This Even Make Sense?
Delta Air Lines is planning to announce Los Angeles – Hong Kong service in the coming weeks. This has been confirmed by aviation watchdog JonNYC. Continue reading Leaked: Delta’s Risky Plan For LA–Hong Kong Flights Failed Before—Does This Even Make Sense?...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
How to Merge in Traffic Most Effectively
The airplane pulls up to the gate and comes to a complete stop. You finally leave what was essentially your home in the air for several hours and ply through the airport to get to your rental car if you are visiting somewhere; or perhaps your own car if you...
Live and Let’s Fly
Air India 787 Crash Update: Preliminary Report Shows Fuel Switches Flipped Seconds After Takeoff
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report on the June 12, 2025 crash of Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8. The jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 on the ground. Preliminary Air India 787...
You Are Travel
Yikes: Turkish Partially Reneges on Its Challenge
Tl;dr – A reminder to choose the programs you chase carefully.  In a measure of irony, I’m writing…
One Mile at a Time
Whoa: Delta Planning Los Angeles To Hong Kong Flights!
Here’s something I didn’t necessarily see happening imminently, especially given the particular route…
You Are Travel
Wow: Here’s Where the Next Ritz-Carlton Reserve Will Be and It Sounds Like Wildlife Is Involved
Tl;dr – Marriott inked a seven-property deal with Ventive Hospitality, which will include a new Ritz-Carlton Reserve in…
One Mile at a Time
Fifth Freedom Flights: What Are They, And Why Do They Exist?
I often write about fifth freedom flights, though don’t typically go into much detail on why they exist, what their significance is, etc. While avgeeks and longtime readers will probably know what these are, I figured it would be useful to have a consolidated post about these very cool types...
View from the Wing
Video: Fired Hotel Worker Goes Berserk, Destroys Breakfast Buffet At Marriott In Denver [Roundup]
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips. Continue reading Video: Fired Hotel Worker Goes Berserk, Destroys Breakfast Buffet At Marriott In Denver [Roundup]...
Eye of the Flyer
Names for New Delta Card, Clear Concierge Service, Mega 100k Card Offers, Revenue Based Royal Caribbean, Dangers of Cruising and More!
Well this has been an interesting first half of the year so far including weather nightmares that seem to be disrupting everyone’s travels. Now that we are in Q3 my travels are picking up and I am looking forward to many reviews. But for now the week that was: While...
Frequent Miler
The best lounge card you didn’t know about, Turkish surprises but doesn’t delight, and more [Week in Review]
My wife and I spent all day yesterday planning our full route for JetBlue’s 25 for 25 promotion. I literally sat in a chair next to her in the nail salon yesterday as we talked over airports and flights (I can only imagine how ridiculous we must have sounded to...
Travel Points Playbook
Best Rate Guarantee Trick: Price Match Hyatt All-Inclusives to “Themselves”?
We are big fans of the Hyatt all-inclusive portfolio having visited 5 different Ziva or Zilara properties over…
Live and Let’s Fly
Great Coffee In Paris
Paris is known for many things, but coffee is not one of them. Nevertheless, I’ve found two wonderful coffee shops (chains as it turns out) that I look forward to returning to. Best Coffee In Paris First up, a little coffee shop in the Vendôme neighborhood called Café Nuances. Café...
Live from a Lounge
Bad Fuel, Bird Strikes are some of the theories now ruled out for Air India 171 Fatal Incident
In the wake of the AI 171 incident, a lot of theories came about. Some of those have been put to rest. Here is what we know so far. The post Bad Fuel, Bird Strikes are some of the theories now ruled out for Air India 171 Fatal Incident appeared...
Monkey Miles
Amex Offers: Spend $250 at IHG get $50 back
Amex Offers: Spend $250 at IHG get $50 back ( Holiday Inn®, EVEN®, etc ) The post Amex Offers: Spend $250 at IHG get $50 back appeared first on Monkey Miles.
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Aerobridge crashes into A380 causing 21 hour delay to Johannesburg flight
At Sydney Airport, an aerobridge has rammed the engine cowel of a Qantas A380, delays hundreds of passengers for 21 hours on a 14 hour flight to Johannesburg. Images of the accident, some shot from inside the aircraft show the bottom portion of an airobridge hitting the coweling of one...
Sam Chui
Preliminary Report on Air India Crash Points to Fuel Switch Error
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report on the Air India flight AI171 crash, pointing to a cockpit fuel switch error and raising questions about pilot actions. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner experienced a fatal loss of thrust just seconds into flight, with investigators now focusing...
The Shutterwhale
Earn 777 Bonus Points Per Night at Casino Hotels with World of Hyatt – Stay by 30 September 2025
Register now to earn 777 Bonus Points per night on eligible Hyatt stays at casino hotels between 14 July and 30 September 2025.
The Bulkhead Seat
Delta Launches First-Ever Nonstop Service Between Salt Lake City and South America
Delta Air Lines is launching its first-ever nonstop service from Salt Lake City International… The post Delta Launches First-Ever Nonstop Service Between Salt Lake City and South America appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.

Leave a Reply

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

Categories

Our Bloggers