Frequent Traveler University LAX Takeaways

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This past weekend's FTULAX was one to live in infamy.  Looking for a glimpse of what you missed? Here are my Frequent Traveler University LAX takeaways.

The hardest decision you'll have to make while attending an FTU is deciding what session to attend.

Saturday December 1

905am - 1020am
Session 2: Mileage Running with Ben Schlappig (One Mile At A Time): Three little letters: ITA

• ITA can help you plan your mileage run
• Choose an airline that offers bonus miles for passing thresholds, has generous routing rules, and meets your mileage goals

1030am - 1145pm
Session 1: Travel Like a Pro: Handling Every Problem the Airlines Throw at You  with Brett Snyder (Cranky Flier)

• Want to know if your flight delay is credible? Use Tripit, Flight Aware, or FlightCaster

Session 2: Which Hotel Program Works Best for You? with Ed Pizzarello (Pizzaman)

• Hyatt Diamond is the best hotel loyalty program
• Starwood Platinum is the second best hotel loyalty program

If you're wondering why I have takeaways from both 1030am sessions, I cloned myself for FTULAX.  All right, the truth is, I left Brett's session to hear Ed's view on hotel programs.

1245pm - 200pm
Hyatt Gold Passport with Todd Tomlin (Hyatt)

• Look for "new" Hyatt hotels in India and China with 5 Hyatts to open in India in the next month
• Start using Apple Passbook

215pm - 330pm
Session 2: Earn 5X everywhere (with or without Vanilla/Ink) -- or More with Greg (Frequent Miler)

• Get to know category bonuses

I'm assuming Greg will put up a summary post as he did following the Chicago Seminars so be sure to watch for his post.

3:45 - 5:00pm
Session 2: Milewise, Award Wallet, Points Hound, Wallaby, and 30k.com

• Milewise was voted best in show and won $500
• Each company will have an opportunity to win a $50,000 grant.  Winner will be announced at the Freddies next year, the night before Frequent Traveler University 2013.  Buy your ticket to Frequent Traveler University 2013.

Sunday December 2

900am - 1015am - Secrets and Lies - Off the Record Tricks and Tips You Won't Find on the Forums

• Eight pages of notes on this one.

If  you want to know, you've got to go.  To learn the off the record tricks and tips, you need to attend the Frequent Traveler University.  Be sure to get your ticket to Frequent Traveler University 2013.

10:30am - 11:45pm
Session 2: Advance Technique: Three Vacations, Two Awards - Adding a Free One-way to Award Tickets with Scott (MileValue)

• Four Key Concepts to keep in mind: Stopover at Home airport, a stopover plus an open jaw equals a free one way, no such thing as a free one way, different airlines have different rules

1245pm - 200pm
Session 2: Travel Tools You Can Use: Online Resources to Plan, Save Money, and Travel Better with Seth Miller (The Wandering Aramean)

• Love ITA?  Hipmunk uses a similar system as ITA, and allows you to book the itinerary.

215pm - 330pm
Session 1: Credit Card Category Bonuses and Transfer Partners with Daraius and Greg (Million Mile Secrets & Frequent Miler)

• Keep your partner happy and just have them focus on signup bonuses vs worrying about what credit card to use for category bonuses
• Signup bonus spend ranges from 3.5x - 21x

As with FTU Newark, I came away with a notebook filled with notes.  I'll be transcribing my notes this week.  If you are interested in receiving an outline of my notes from the sessions I attended, send me an email.  Just a reminder, outline notes from the Off the Record session will not be available.

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