Welcome to my blog. I document my adventures in travel and hopefully give you ideas on how you can get the best value from your points and miles. Hope you enjoy the flight!
Reward Flying is the name of an #avgeek whose real name is Mark Simmons. The mission of Reward Flying is to help people quickly earn points and when spending those points, get the best possible value for them. With dozens of ways to earn points and dozens of ways to spend points, a proper strategy is the only way to maximize your opportunities.
As the founder and CEO of a national software company (Lease Marketing, LTD.) back in the 1990's, I flew domestically all too often. I originally signed up with America West (which has grown using acquisitions to be American Airlines today). Their $25 upgrade to first class spoiled me on flying premium class in 1993. When my travel destinations outgrew America West's route network I switch to United. Today I'm a Million Mile flyer with United. And today I still get excited to fly.
Obviously I earned plenty of frequent flyer points when flying 1,000,000 miles with United. Those points are long gone. My first redemption was in 1995. Two first class tickets on the brand new 777 from Chicago to Paris. If I remember correctly the cost was 100,000 points, for 2 people, round trip. Things have changed.
Not counting the reports on this site I've flown first class internationally to Europe at least 8 times as well as Hong Kong and too many domestic trips to places like Hawaii and California to count, or remember. All using points for myself and family.
So what's the point?
You can too.
Today I earn points many different ways. None of it is secret, it just takes a strategy to earn the most on everything. And if you travel a lot and have points, spending them for the best value is important too. Think of frequent flyer points as money, because it is.