Joe18

I saw a headline in one of the two papers, I think last weekend, about the need to use FF miles now, presumably because the programs or miles may be canceled. I didn't read it, and I'd like to find it. I've done a search here and on Google without luck. Can anyone help?

Mara

It was the NY Times Practical Traveler column on July 30.

Julienas

http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/07/3...el/30prac.html

rex

<< ...presumably because the programs or miles may be canceled... >>

This is not what the article said at all, and ought to be quelled before it bcomes a rumor. In fact, they said quite the opposite.

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Although Mr. Trippler suggests using your frequent-flier miles as soon as possible, he’s not overly concerned about programs or miles evaporating. “As long as the airline is in business,” he said, “they’ll have a frequent-flier program, since they actually make money on the program by selling the miles to banks, stores and other providers.”

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There's really nothing new in the article about reasons you should use them, rather than hoard them.

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“My first word of advice is to use up your miles,” said Tim Jarrell, publisher of Fodor’s Travel Publications. “Don’t hoard them — they’re not bank accounts that earn interest.”

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This basic truth has been "spot on" since the programs first appeared, 25 years ago.

Best wishes,

Rex

rex

oh, and... post-script...

<< I've done a search here and on Google without luck. >>

Did you use Google <i><b>news</b></i> search? This brought it right up.

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&amp;ne...er+nytimes.com

I love the many different specific search approaches offered by Google, especially Blog Search.

I have never had it fail me when I want to read an editorial on nytimes.com available only through &quot;TimesSelect&quot;. Usually within hours, some blogger has violated the Times' copyright, and placed the contents of the &quot;protected&quot; item on their blog page. The &quot;Unknown Candidate&quot; seems to be particuarly reliable for these.

http://theunknowncandidate.blogspot.com/

rkkwan

Playing the FF game is little different from buying stock options and oil futures. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Sometimes you lose all.

If one has been hoarding their miles for years when a domestic ticket costs $200 or 25K miles; and only use them now when a domestic ticket costs $400 or the same 25K miles, you'll say he is a genius.

So, maybe one should hoard their miles right now too. Because if oil prices and other costs continue to rise and a domestic ticket costs $1,000 or the same 25K miles, then it's definitely better NOT to use up the miles this quickly. [Alternately, maybe one can use the miles and put that cash into buying oil futures.]

grandmere

I read the article last week, too and agree with Rex that it said nothing new and IMO, not worth spending a lot of time searching for.

Joe18

Rex, I feel I've been chidden a little unfairly, since I was not intending to start rumors (hence the well intentioned &quot;presumably&quot, but at the same time I'm glad to have any rumors scotched and also appreciate the information that you've provided. And sincere thanks to Julienas for including the link.

grandmere

I hope I didn't come off as a &quot;chider&quot;; just meant, don't waste your time b/c you probably already know what was written.

When I saw the headline in the NYT, I was intrigued by what I thought might be in the article, too, and was disappointed.

rex

I hope this doesn't seem too subtle, but if I was chiding, it was my goal to chide the &quot;message&quot; (since there was no bearing to believe it to be the case) - - not the messenger (since, after all, you were only speculating).