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
One Mile at a Time
Hah: United Airlines’ CEO Is Banned From Casinos For Card Counting
The Wall Street Journal just ran an article about United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, and about how the carrier has been trending upwards under his leadership. The piece starts with an interesting story about Kirby, which I didn’t know, and can’t help but share.
Points With a Crew
5 reasons I keep recommending the Chase Sapphire Preferred for people starting out (Higher Welcome Offer)
Amongst my friends and family, I'm considered the "credit card guy". When I'm asked for recommendations, most of the time it's the Chase Sapphire Preferred...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Video: I Rode on Vegas Loop For the First Time — and The Verdict Is…
I finally rode on Vegas Loop for the first time greater than ten years and one month since Hyperloop was first mentioned in this article at The Gate With Brian Cohen. The...
Economy Class & Beyond
Airplane Art – United Airlines Boeing 787-10 Climbing out of Chicago O’Hare International
It’s Sunday again, so it must be time for some more Airplane Art. This week, we have a United Airlines Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner climbing out of Chicago O’Hare International as it commences its next mission. United Airlines operates a fleet of 20 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners in its widebody fleet. The airline also operates Boeing 767-300ER,...
View from the Wing
United Told A Flight Attendant Injured On A Trip She Had An Extra Year To Return — Then Fired Her Anyway
A United flight attendant was injured on a work trip, went on medical leave, and later received a company letter telling her she had an extra year to return before losing her job. Then United told her the date in its own letter was wrong, fired her anyway, and even...
One Mile at a Time
No, The Government Has No Moral Obligation To “Save” Spirit Airlines
We know that Spirit Airlines is on the verge of liquidation, as the airline is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in two years. Over the past week, we’ve learned that the government is planning on bailing out the airline.
Points With a Crew
The best and cheapest way to get from JFK airport to Manhattan
You can go from JFK to New York City by train, taxi, Uber or bus, but the cheapest and best way from JFK airport to NYC / Manhattan is ...
Frequent Miler
$100 inKind gift card for $64.99 at Costco.com
Costco is once again offering a $100 inKind gift card for a discount, though this time around the price has dropped to $64.99. This could be a good deal if you have upcoming plans to dine at an inKind restaurant. You can also get 20% back on all food and beverage,...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Happy National Pretzel Day — and a Free or Discounted Pretzel For You.
I have always enjoyed a nice big soft warm pretzel — in fact, I like eating virtually any kind of pretzel — and if one cannot be in Germany or elsewhere in Europe to savor one of these classic savory snacks, then the promotions below will have to do for...
View from the Wing
Spirit Airlines Didn’t Die Because Biden Blocked The JetBlue Merger
The simple story about Spirit Airlines is that the Biden administration killed the carrier by blocking JetBlue’s bid to buy it, but that is too neat and mostly wrong. Spirit was already failing because its costs rose, its product stopped matching what customers wanted, and the antitrust move that really...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Korean Air Considers Easing Iron Grip On Uniform and Grooming Standards By Letting Flight Attendants Wear Sneakers
Korean Air, the national flag carrier of South Korea, which is widely considered to have some of the strictest uniform standards for flight attendants in the world, is reportedly considering easing its iron grip on grooming rules that are so exacting that some crew hopefuls undergo plastic surgery to make...
Economy Class & Beyond
TRIP REPORT: Off to Heathrow… a little later than normal – Still for the friends
Off to Heathrow… a little later than normal with FlixBus TRIP REPORT: Still for the Friends Before a big adventure, it’s time to sort out something rather important for the next ten years – my passport. That means it’s time to head to the North West of England and to...
Miles To Memories
I Have A Few American Airlines Opinions For You
Based on recent developments, I'm sharing my three latest American Airlines opinions today. Do they match yours, or am I way off?
Live and Let’s Fly
VidantaWorld’s New Yacht, Elegant, Has A Pricing Problem
VidantaWorld’s Elegant looks like a luxury disruptor at first glance, but the pricing and inclusions tell a very different story. A Mexican Resort Brand Quietly Goes To Sea VidantaWorld has officially entered the cruise market with Elegant, a 216-guest ship positioned as a luxury mega yacht, adults-only experience sailing the...
Hawaii Calling
HNL Terminal Confusion After Alaska + Hawaiian Integration: How to Know Where to Go
If you’re flying out of Honolulu (HNL), on Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines, don’t rely on the flight number to choose your terminal.Instead, look at the airline logo in your app or boarding pass. If you’ve flown out of Honolulu before, you probably had this memorized: That shortcut is now broken....
One Mile at a Time
My Hyatt Concierge: A Valuable Benefit, Or A Disappointing Gimmick?
There are lots of great benefits to World of Hyatt Globalist status. In this post, I’d like to talk about one of the ”soft” benefits of Hyatt status, which is the My Hyatt Concierge perk. How do you earn it, what does it offer, and how valuable is it in...
TravelUpdate
Deal Alert: Sony Noise Canceling Headphones 48% Off, Sennheiser 51% Off
For frequent travelers, a quality pair of noise-canceling headphones can transform an in-flight experience. Right now, three traveler favorites are deeply discounted: the Sony WH-CH720N is 48% off at $92.95, the flagship Sony WH-1000XM5 is 38% off at $248, and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is 51% off, dropping to just...
Points With a Crew
This Is The Germiest Seat On An Airplane, According To Doctors
Travel can often be an easy way to get sick. A recent survey has come out where doctors pinpoint the germiest seat on an airplane. This may be one to avoid when ...
The Bulkhead Seat
Bonus Nights Awarded From Marriott’s First 2026 Promo Mysteriously Disappear
Marriott Bonvoy® started its first global systemwide promotion for 2026 on February 25th. It…
Your Mileage May Vary
Hyatt’s 2026 Changes Make One Thing Clear: Nothing Is Off Limits
Hyatt has released its 2026 hotel category changes, and while this happens every year, the implications are getting harder to ignore. If this feels familiar, that’s because it is. Hyatt…
Miles To Memories
Amex Overcharging Annual Fees For Some Delta Cardholders
There are reports of Amex annual fees charged in error that some unlucky Delta cardholders are seeing show up on their accounts.
View from the Wing
Starting May 1, American Airlines Will Require Power Banks To Stay Visible During Flights
American Airlines is changing its portable charger policy on May 1, requiring power banks to stay visible and within reach during flights instead of hidden in bags or overhead bins. The airline will also cap passengers at two power banks each and ban recharging them onboard, part of a broader...
Live from a Lounge
HDFC Bank BizGrow Credit Card is currently Lifetime Free: Should small business owners grab it?
When HDFC Bank refreshed its Business Credit Card line-up in 2024 with the Biz Cards range, i.e., Biz Black, Biz Power, and BizGrow, BizGrow was positioned as the entry point for self-employed professionals and small business owners who wanted a proper business card without paying premium fees. And now, there...
The Bulkhead Seat
New York City’s First Live Table Games Set to Debut at Resorts World NYC
Resorts World New York City is set to make history with the launch of…

Leave a Reply

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

Categories

Our Bloggers