(EXPIRED) Save $30 on FTU DC & meet Frequent Miler

One of the best ways to find out about deals that fly under the radar and to be reminded about the sweet spots you’ve forgotten is to have a network of friends in “in the game”. However, despite devoting most of my waking hours immersed in this universe of award charts and bonus categories, most of my home social circle wouldn’t know an Ultimate Reward point from the ultimate award flight. Conferences like Frequent Traveler University helped me start to build that network of miles & points enthusiasts long before I became a blogger, and over the past year and a half I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to present at several FTU events. Next month, Greg and I will both be presenting at FTU Washington, DC, and there’s good news: if you’re interested in attending, you can save $30 with coupon code SIZZLE.

The Deal

• Save $30 off on your ticket to FTU DC with coupon code SIZZLE through midnight PDT on July 20th, 2018
• FTU will be held August 11-12, 2018 at the Crystal City Marriott at Reagan International Airport
• Direct link to register

Your ticket includes:

• Two days of expert-led sessions on Saturday and Sunday
• Plated lunch on Saturday and Sunday
• Free Internet in the conference rooms
• One month free of AwardEx – exclusive offer,  they do not publicly sell unlimited subscriptions
• Friday, August 10 pizza dinner at Fire Works Pizza 2350 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201 (attendees will get a RSVP email prior to the event, limited to first 55 participants to register, includes assorted pizzas, drinks not included.)

More event details

As noted, Greg and I will both be speaking at this event. Greg’s topics include:

Gaining from Change: Marriott SPG Status & Free Night Opportunities
Marriott and SPG plan to combine loyalty programs in August. And with great change comes great opportunity. I’ll discuss how to position yourself best so that you can book the most luxurious properties worldwide for fewer points than ever before; and how to get meaningful elite status for upgrades, free breakfast, and more.
Beginners Boot Camp: Beginner Manufactured Spend
Huge rewards are available to those who have a way to spend a lot of money on credit cards. “Manufactured Spend” is a set of techniques for increasing credit card spend and getting most of that money back. This session covers the basics.

My topics for this event include:

Bagging a Bargain: The Tools We Use to Save Big
Advanced techniques for spotting opportunities for significant savings. Useful tools and creative tricks for those looking to find the best deals.
Buying a car: How to maximize your Mileage
Multiple methods for multiplying your miles on a major purchase – without sacrificing your ability to get a great deal.

Additionally, I will be moderating the following panels:

DC Manufactured Spend Panel
Straight from the local experts: hear and share what works and what doesn’t.
State of Miles & Points Panel
The best for last, our attendee favorite free-for-all topic mash-up and Q&A. Don’t book an early flight home or you’ll miss out!

The entire Frequent Traveler University weekend is packed full of compelling topics being presented by some of the most experienced experts in miles, points, and travel. Other confirmed speakers for the event include:

Tiffany Funk of One Mile at a Time
Matthew Klint of Live and Let’s Fly
Jared Kamrowski of Thrifty Traveler
Spencer Howard of Straight to the Points
Becky Pokora of The Girl and Globe
Mike Graziano of Make Travel Hacking Great Again
Stefan Krasowski of Rapid Travel Chai
Edward Pizzarello of Pizza in Motion
Jeanne Marie Hoffman of Le Chic Geek
Trevor Mountcastle of Tagging Miles
Charles McCool Travel Happiness Advocate

One of the things I like about FTU events is that they always include a variety of topics in order to appeal to a wide range of people in this hobby — from beginners to committed enthusiasts. As a visual and auditory learner myself, I find that I absorb information more quickly and retain it longer through events like these, and to this day I walk away each time reminded of something I may have known but forgotten. What’s more, I’ve picked up some of the best tips from conversations that continued after the sessions ended — both at the event and in the weeks, months, and years to follow. My wife and I attended our first FTU in Washington DC several years ago and immediately signed up for one on the other side of the country the following year, looking forward to another chance to connect with a like-minded group.

So whether you’re just jumping in to the world of manufactured spending and award travel or you’ve been honing your skills for a while, it’s worth considering an event like this one if it fits in your schedule and budget. Those traveling into Reagan airport will find the Crystal City Marriott a convenient location — and FTU has negotiated a group rate of $109 per night for attendees. Find more information and a link to book on the event page linked under “The Deal” above.

If you attend FTU Washington, DC, please stop us and say hello. Both Greg and I enjoy meeting readers and hearing your success stories. We look forward to seeing you there.

To stay up-to-date with opportunities to connect with Frequent Miler in person, see our Frequent Miler Event Schedule page.

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