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UPDATE: The San Diego event described below is now sold out, but please see the last section of this post for details about a chance of buying a ticket.
I spent the day yesterday developing an awesome new Google Docs spreadsheet. I had hoped to reveal it today in all its glory, but its not yet done. Maybe tomorrow… or the next day… I think that you’ll find it helpful once I release it. At least, some of you will. We’ll see.
So, instead of writing about the spreadsheet, I’ll write about something completely different: FTU Advanced San Diego.
FTU stands for “Frequent Traveler University.” Twice per year, there is a big FTU event with many speakers and many attendees (usually over 400). Sessions cover topics such as best ways to earn points and miles, award booking techniques, saving money on travel, etc. The last big FTU event was in Seattle in the Spring. The second one this year has not yet been announced.
I always enjoy attending and speaking at FTU. It’s a lot of fun meeting people that are just as crazy as I am when it comes to points and miles. There are a couple of problems with the format, though. First, it’s too big. In my experience, events with fewer people tend to be more fun. Second, for those who have been in the game for a while, it’s too “beginnerish”. There tend to be many novices at these events (which is fine, by the way!), but that means that presentations tend to be tailored towards those beginners. Long time players of this game may find the presentations boring. They’ve heard it before. They’ve read it before.
Enter FTU Advanced
FTU Advanced is a new series of seminars focused on the advanced crowd. The idea is to have fewer attendees, more advanced topics, and more time with each presenter for in-depth discussions. The first FTU Advanced was in Chicago in July. I missed it because I was in Europe at the time, but I heard it went well. The second one will also be in Chicago, just a couple of weeks from now. Both FTU Advanced events sold out in less than a day.
Now, the next scheduled FTU Advanced will be in San Diego.
Registration will go live on Tuesday September 16th at 8am EST.
FTU Advanced San Diego Basics:
- Where: Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina, San Diego, California
- When: March 6-8, 2015
- What: Details and registration link here
- Registration Price: $249
- Hotel room price: $165 per night
- Speakers: Ben Schlappig (One Mile at a Time); Greg Davis-Kean (hey that’s me!); Stefan Krasowski (Rapid Travel Chai); Scott Mackenzie (Hack My Trip); Randy Petersen (Milepoint Founder); and Daraius Dubash (Million Mile Secrets)
What to do if the event sells out
Previous FTU Advanced seminars sold out quickly. If you want to go, but you miss out on the open registration, there will be one more opportunity — It so happens that I have access to a few secret codes that will let you signup even if the event is sold out. If the event is sold out but you’d like a chance to get one of my top secret codes, please comment below. Simply tell me why you want to go to FTU Advanced San Diego. I will then use my top secret, not yet defined algorithm for picking the “winners” who get to buy tickets. Make sure to write “Pick Me!” in the comment so that I’ll know to consider you for a spot.
What if the event is sold out and you don’t get picked for one of the secret codes? I have a feeling that more FTU Advanced seminars will be announced soon.
Now back to my spreadsheet…
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My plans have changed and I will no longer be able to attend. If someone needs a ticket. Let me know.
You may have better luck posting on Milepoint: https://milepoint.com/forums/threads/ftu-advanced-san-diego.98833/page-3#post-2555767
I have one ticket available at face value plus the transfer fee to this event. If interested, please me me know. You can contact me at the saverocity forum under my handle “little nemo”
There is a posting on that forum as well.
“Pick Me” for Advanced FTU. I live nearby and just recently retired. Need some assistance with using the 2 million points and miles I have accumulated for retirement travel plus advanced ideas for building more points and miles now that I am no longer working.
I guess I am going to miss this again.. The tickets sold out 🙁
All,
I’ve picked 5 random “winners” who will still get a chance to buy a ticket to this event. I’ve emailed each winner at the email address used to write their comments. Winners are: Anita, Rajiv, Kay, DrSifu77, and Dany.
-Greg
Pick Me!! I have recently started a business around helping travelers earn and redeem frequent flyer miles. We now have more than 40 customers, and are investing in building a web platform for managing and tracking credit card applications which will integrate with Award Wallet, TripIt Pro, Credit Karma, and Walla.by. I want connect with other mileage enthusiasts and learn strategies that will help us build a better product and deliver more value for our customers.
Cheers,
Erik
Hey Erik,
I’m in the process of building a similar web platform. Could we arrange for a Skype date to chat a bit?
Best,
Max
Maxlovesaamiles at gmail
Pick me! I live in San Diego and have followed many advices from your blog and accumulated many miles and hotel award points to put them to use in creative and fun ways. Pick me!
It would be fantastic to meet other people who share the same passion! Pick me!
Pick me.
I have been involved in the pursuit of points and airline tickets and hotel rooms for awhile now and want to increase my knowledge and network with other enthusiasts so I can take more trips! I am in LA area, and it also gives me another reason to make the drive to San Diego.
Pick me (pretty please 🙂 )
I live in Long Beach, but was out of town for the last one in LA. Now I have much more experience, and would very much like to learn more, especially more MS techniques.
Thanks,
Gary
PS. Your blog, and Loyalty Lobby are the two travel blogs I follow religiously. Yours for getting the points, and his for finding ways to use them for hotels. I really admire the depth of your postings. It shows that you do your homework.
oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!!!
Pick Me!
Looking to meet all the bloggers I follow.
PLEASE Pick Me! You’re amazing, all of the speakers are amazing, and I would LOVE to attend an advanced session to soak in all of the info I need to progress in my #1 most fabulous hobby – TRAVEL! I attended the FTU in Portland this past year and found it to be too basic for me, so to be able to book this sold out advanced session would be so awesome! Thank you so much!!!
Pick me! I’m moving to San Diego in a few months and haven’t had the opportunity to attend any of the FTUs in Chicago. I’m also MSing a sizable portion of my income currently, so I’d love to be able to swap some of the intermediate/advanced methods I’ve uncovered!
Please pick me! I’ would love to go learn more from gurus and meet more people with the same hobby!
“Not all those who wander are lost.” This helps me continue my travels and my wanderings. 😉 Please pick me. Thanks.