Skip to Content

Why You Should Go to a USA TODAY Frequent Traveler University Again

Can you imagine going to a miles and points conference but not attending any sessions?

That’s exactly what I did at this weekend’s USA TODAY Frequent Traveler University Advanced Dallas.

Frequent Traveler University Traveling Well For Less

I’ve attended previous FTUs including Newark, LAX, Tampa, the first Advanced FTU in Chicago, and Seattle, but this was the first time I didn’t sit in on any of the classes.

Instead of attending class (so to speak), I helped sell raffle tickets and spent time with friends, met new people, and swapped travel secrets.

However, while I loved the freedom of not being tied to a schedule, I missed out on some great sessions.

 

New Topics and Different Perspectives on the Same Information

Previous Frequent Traveler Universities (both the regular FTU and the FTU Advanced) covered the same topics with an occasional new topic thrown in.  But this time, there were multiple new topics in both versions of the Frequent Traveler Universities.

Not only were there new topics, but there were new speakers such as Keri from Heels First Travel who spoke on solo female travel which is 99% of my travel despite being married with children.

While previous FTUs covered manufactured spending (Amol spoke in Seattle and the Miles Professor spoke at the first FTU Advanced), Tahsir’s talk covered completely different aspects of how to manufacture spend (according to some of my friends who attended his sessions).

So if you’ve already attended a previous FTU and were debating if you should attend another because you’ve already attended once, the answer is a resounding yes.

Not only will you meet more people interested in your hobby and build a group of friends with whom you can network and share information, but you’ll learn a few news things.

3 More FTUs in 2015

So if your calendar is free, there are 3 more opportunities this year for you to attend a Frequent Traveler University.

1.  FTU Alumni Round Table

The first Frequent Traveler University Alumni Round Table is being held at the Hyatt Atlanta Midtown from May 1, 2015, to May 3, 2015.

Tickets are $299 and include:

  • Intimate cocktail party on Friday night
  • Breakfast (hotel attendees) on Saturday
  • Small group discussions (limited to 12 per group)
  • Plated lunch on Saturday
  • Presentations during Buffet brunch with sparkling wine on Sunday

However, you must have previously attended a Frequent Traveler University (regular or Advanced) to be eligible to attend.

You can book your ticket for FTU Alumni Round Table here.

Rooms at the Hyatt Atlanta Midtown which include breakfast are $150 a night (single or double occupancy) and can be booked here.

Hyatt Atlanta Midtown Traveling Well For Less

The Hyatt Atlanta Midtown is hosting the first Frequent Traveler University Round Table

 

2.   USA TODAY FTU Advanced Washington, DC

USA TODAY FTU Advanced returns to Washington, DC at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport on August 21, 2015 to August 23, 2015.

Your $249 ticket includes:

  • 1 hour 30 minute cocktail party on Friday night
  • Access to all sessions and social events on Saturday and Sunday
  • Three-course lunch on Saturday and Sunday
  • Internet access in the conference rooms

You can book your USA TODAY Frequent Traveler University Advanced Washington, DC ticket here.

Book your hotel room at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport including full buffet breakfast for $99 (single or double occupancy) a night here.

Hyatt Regency Crystal City Traveling Well For Less

FTU Advanced Washington, DC will take place at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City on August 21, 2015 to August 23, 2015

3.   USA TODAY FTU University Advanced Dallas

USA TODAY Frequent Traveler University Advanced is going back to Dallas and the Hyatt Regency DFW Airport (yes, it was just held here) on August 21, 2015 to August 23, 2015.

For $249 you get:

  • 90 minute cocktail party on Friday night
  • All sessions and events on Saturday and Sunday
  • Multi-course lunch on Saturday and Sunday
  • Internet access in the conference rooms

Book your USA TODAY FTU Advanced Dallas ticket here.

Rooms at the Hyatt Regency DFW Airport include full buffet breakfast for $99 (single or double occupancy) a night can be booked here.

Because these are advanced sessions and the number of attendees are limited, only 72 for the FTU Alumni Roundtable, and approximately 150 for the FTU Advanced sessions, tickets will sell out quickly.

Hyatt Regency DFW Airport Traveling Well For Less

Relax in the Hyatt Regency DFW Airport’s zero edge pool

 

Which FTUs are you attending this year?

Did you like this post? Feel free to comment below, share this post, or give me a +1.

Want to get more travel tips, learn how to travel for free, find out about travel deals, and maximize your miles and points? Sign up via the subscription links below. To receive post updates by email, please use the box below.

You can also follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or add me on Google+.

Traveling Well For Less has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Traveling Well For Less and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.


You can earn 75,000 points from all three personal Southwest cards: Southwest Rapid Rewards(R) Priority Credit Card, card_name, and card_name when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.


Southwest Rapid Rewards(R) Priority Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards(R) Priority Credit Card is one of the easiest ways to travel more and spend less.  You can earn 75,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
 
My favorite perks about this card are earning 4 upgraded boarding each year, 3X points on Southwest purchases, 2X points on internet, cable, phone, select streaming, ride share, hotel and car rental partners , $75 yearly Southwest credit, and no foreign transaction fees.
 

card_name

The is an easy way to fly free.  You can earn 75,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
 
My favorite perks about this card are earning 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins each year, 3X points on Southwest purchases, 2X points on internet, cable, phone, select streaming, ride share, hotel and car rental partners, and no foreign transaction fees.
 

Learn more about the card_name and how to apply


card_name

The card_name is the least expensive way to earn a Companion Pass from a credit card.  You can earn 75,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
 
My favorite perks about this card are earning the 2 EarlyBird Check-ins every year, 2X points on Southwest purchases, internet, cable, phone, select streaming, ride share, hotel and car rental partners, and the lowest annual fee among all the Southwest credit cards .
 

Learn more about the card_name and how to apply


card_name

card_name is the best card to get started in the world of miles and points. It is the first card you should get to start traveling for free because the welcome offer is 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
 
My favorite perks about this card are earning 5X points on travel when booked through the Chase portal (2X if direct purchase), 3X points on dining, $50 yearly credit on hotels booked through the Chase portal, no foreign transaction fees, and transferring points to 13 airline and hotel partners like Hyatt, United, and Southwest.
 

Learn more about the card_name and how to apply


card_name

The card_name is one of my favorite cards for earning cash back card and travel rewards. It offers a welcome offer of unlimited matched cash back on all your purchases your first year.
 
My favorite perks about this card are earning 5% cash back on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal, 3% cash back at drugstores and restaurants (including delivery and takeout), 1.5% cash back on all other purchases and no annual fee. When paired with cards like the card_name, you can use your points to travel for free.
 

Learn more about the card_name and how to apply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.