Download - Travel hacking intro
High School – Manchester, England & Lagrange, GA
BBA International Business 2007 –Georgia College
Supply Officer – USS KENTUCKY 2010-2013
Material Control Officer – FRC WEST PAC Atsugi, Japan
Visited 44 states and 35 countries on 28 different airlines; flew 40,000 miles on 35 flights to 22 countries in 2013
a. Traveling on airline and hotel loyalty points acquired for minimum out-of-pocket cost
b. Taking advantage of mistake fares, promotions, and ‘program combinations’ to travel for minimum out of pocket cost
THAI AIRWAYS A380 FIRST CLASS
1. This hobby heavily involves your personal finances; you must have a firm, definite idea of where you stand on a daily basis and maintain flawless records.
2. 98% of the time, there is no magic website to buy nearly free tickets***
3. This is a hobby that requires time, effort, and organization.
4. There are risks involved in the techniques I teach.5. I have 100% ethical, legal, and moral confidence in my
techniques. 6. Spending $10,000 at one time in a Dollar General in the
southern USA is a LOT OF FUN!
*** Take my class and I’ll explain the 2% exception.
Legacy – Mileage Based
Length of Flight = Miles earned
American (US Airways) Delta -Fare Classes United
Earnings multiplied by (or cut by) fare class booked and elite status
“New Age” – Points Based
Points/$ or Segment Flown
Southwest Airlines (Air Tran)
Jet Blue
Different because they are in every aspect: Spirit
Region BasedRegion X to Region Y cost
flat # of miles based on economy, business, or first
US Airways Award Chart
Length-of-Flight Based 0-500 Miles - X 501-1500 Miles –Y 1501-3000 Miles – Z So on and so forth
Miles required for Business and first usually doubled and tripled respectively
AA Explorer Award Chart
Fixed amount of points per $ spent – Big 6: Hilton/Marriott/IHG -10 pts/$ Depending on Hotel Brand
Hyatt/Starwood - 5 pts/$
Club Carlson - 10 pts/$ Other Chains
Best Western, La Quinta, Choice, Kimpton, Accor, Wyndam
Compounded with: Elite Bonuses
Promotions
New phenomenon of “Bonus Point Rates”
• Each chain has numbered categories in which every hotel is placed
• Increase by level of luxury/location
• As the category increases, so does the # of points required for a free night
HYATT AWARD CHART
Most major hotel chains and some airlines will recognize each other’s status
Gain status with one – spread to all Status can be matched in 2 ways:
Straight Up – Good until February of the following year
Challenge – Stay ‘X’ number of nights in a given time period to permanently have status
You receive status even during trial period
Why status? Room Upgrade
Free Breakfast
Concierge/Club/Business Lounge Access
Free Internet
Early Check In/Late Check Out
Speedy Check In
ALL NEW – Hyatt Elite Rates – 20% off Just Ask! – Brother-in-law Presidential Suite
Schedule Change Rule
Delta Schedule Change Rule
2012 Passenger Bill of Rights
File complaints with DOT
The Art of the Stopover & Open Jaw
AVERAGE JOE TRIP2 ADULTS, 3 NIGHTS
Expense Cost Net Gains/Losses
ATL-ORD $265 pp Total - $530 2,424 United Miles
JW Marriott $209/nt - $729.83 total 3,645 Marriott Points
Rent-a-Car $53/day +taxes Total -$254.80 - Hertz
84 Hertz Points
Food/Drink $80 pp/day -$480
Entertainment $100 pp/day -$600
*Costs current as of Jan 10, 2014
Expense Cost Net Gains/Losses
ATL-ORD 50,000 United Miles $20 taxes and fees
80% probability of $800 in UA vouchers & Free one way flight
JW Marriott $154.50/nt - $513.50 6,848 Marriott Points, 1 free night, Room Upgrade
Rental Car $21/day - $181.45 2500 United Miles
Food $40 pp/day -$240
Entertainment $100 pp/day $600
TRAVEL HACKER TRIP 2 Adults, 3 Nights
Extras:• Free Internet ($15/day)• Concierge Lounge – Free breakfast, tapas, drinks, concierge ($125/person/day)• Free early check-in/late check out (great with odd flight times)• Free Health Club Use ($20/visit/person)• Arrival Gift and X Factors• United Lounge Use at ATL and ORD
Week Title
1 The Foundation on Which to Build
2 The Big M.S.
3 KnowYour Alliances – * A, OW, ST
4 3 for the Price of 2 – The More Powerful Zone/Booking Practices
5 BRG - Stay in Style
6 Lets Step it Up - $860 in Magazines got me Business Class to Japan!
7 Hacks in the Shadows (Shhh, what’s taught here stays with you!)
8 Put it Together! – Hack for your Dreams
I will teach you how to earn hundreds of thousands of loyalty miles for minimal cost out of your pocket through multiple methods.