Mile Nerd today goes on a rant in his post.
BTW: I love his motto - "just the most miles in the fewest words possible" I don't know what set off his rant, but its a rant that is at the core of what everyone and I mean almost everyone, in this milage community has been talking about.
Go read the full post
here
His rant is targeted for the newbies, but all of us can get something out of it.
He starts off simply by explaining the evolution into getting into the "game:"
At first, you'll be too scared to apply for all those credit cards. You'll
stall. You'll make up
excuses. You'll read and read and read. Then, one day,
you'll build up the courage. Throwing
caution to the wind...ignoring
misinformation...you will apply for a couple of credit cards.
Gulp! But things
will actually go well. You'll wonder why you didn't do it years ago. The
ability
to travel without saving up weeks of paychecks will blow your mind. You'll book
a
flight without paying for it, and you'll be utterly and completely addicted.
This is the story of all of us. Chris and I have written about our first experiences on the blog. Similarly, I have two sets of friends set to take the plunge with their first credit card "app-o-ramas" (as some people call them) later this month, tailored to their dream destinations. He is correct, the true addiction begins when the wheels are up on your first points paid trip...then as he correctly says, "you'll be utterly and completely addicted."
At this point, Mile Nerd takes a sharp right turn to the dark side. His rant enters full drive, talking about the frequent traveler conferences:
Currently, readers throughout the Internet are getting spammed with information
on
Frequent Traveler University. This event involves "special guest lecturers"
who are always
the same 5 or 6 people. These shrewd businessmen disguised as
dorks will teach you the
secret ways of making unlimited miles.
The past few days, most of the community has been buzzing about the number of conferences being held. Travel Blogger Buzz talked about in today's
post. There is the April FTU event in NOVA, September FTU event in Tampa and the Chicago Seminars in October.
I agree with Mile Nerd's that it seems that it is, "always the same 5 or 6 people." teaching at these events. The faculty at both are very similar. FTU Tampa: Gary Leff, The Points Guy, Million Mile Secrets, Mommy Points, and Pizza Man. While Chicago Seminar has The Points Guy, Lucky, Mommy Points, Delta Points, Marshall Jackson etc.
I took the list of the faculty members from their official event pages, things might change in the coming weeks and months. The only difference is who is hosting it. FTU is sponsored by Milepoint/Boarding area and the Chicago Seminar sponsored by Frugal Travel Guy and First to Board.
However, I disagree with the rest of that paragraph:
Of course, none
of this is actually a secret. They'll also skip the lesson explaining how much
money they earn from credit cards links. See, this is all business. You are the
customer. The
majority of these bloggers sold out their content long ago so they
could make a buck.
I don't believe that all these bloggers have sold out. Yes, they have monetized their blog to support their hobby, but is that selling out or the American Entrepreneurship? At the same time, they can provide some valuable information that can teach you a new trick, highlight a promotion that you may have missed or even "gasp" save you a few bucks.
Mile Nerd is correct, we are customers, but this is not a monopolised industry. You don't need to read only the BIG blogs. If you don't like the way they are pushing credit cards or what they are writing about, unsubscribe from them, take them off your Google Reader etc. Talk with your feet. I have with two major bloggers, because their quality of work has suffered.
He jumps off the deep end by the end of the post:
You, innocent reader, will now develop strange personality quirks.
You will bash these
bloggers at every turn, but the minute you get some
interaction with them, you'll
shamelessly kiss their asses as if they were rock
stars. You may have been a nerd before,
but now you've become more of a weasel.
You will actually be honored that an Internet
blogger, of all people, would take
the time to speak to you.
Yes, some might be in awe of the top bloggers in person, but trash them behind their backs. How many people trash the Kardashians, but watched their TV show? That is America way. Have I met any of the top bloggers, no? Have Chris and I chatted with them via email and twitter? Yes. And guess what...they provided us with some very valuable information, when we needed it. Yes, for that I am in awe/grateful to them that they took the time to help us out in a difficult situation.
Where I completely disagree with him is the second to last paragraph of his post:
Eventually, your behavior will disgust you. You'll try to find an
underground "pure" blog, but
smaller bloggers only post sporadically. They don't
make any money and aren't that
motivated. In truth, they're just wannabe shrewd
businessmen.
Chris and I are not wannabe "shrewed businessmen." We have had opportunities to turn this blog into a business, but declined. This blog is a hobby for us. Our friends were tired of hearing about credit card this or points that, so we started a blog. We write Do It For the Points as an outlet for our excessive excitement/energy for collecting miles & points. Many of the smaller bloggers write, because its their hobby and they love it. Through conversations and happy hours, Chris and I have meet a network of smaller bloggers, who aren't shrewd businessmen and women. The hype that bloggers are out to get unexpected people to sign up for credit cards they don't need is the same BS that I am fighting in the mortgage world. Yes, there are a few bad apples in the mortgage and blogging community, but does that make all of our motives the same. Many blog because its something to do.
If you are looking for as Mile Nerd calls "pure" smaller/medium sized bloggers, let me suggest a few should be following:
Heels First Travel
Will Run For Miles
The Miles Professor
Michael W Travels
TJ on Miles & Points
Travel Bug Diary
Frugal Travel Lawyer
These are just a few of the smaller bloggers, I read daily. I learn from them, I get inspired by them and sometime I cry with them. They are friends and I don't know they. I will eventually go to meet-ups to meet them in person. But with any hobby, there are conferences, meet-ups and interactions with like minded people. The frequent flyer/mileage addicts are not some strange breed. On any given weekend, there is the meet-up of people who like to crochet, like Deep Galaxy Nine or carve butter.
What Mile Nerd missed in his post was that our community is entering a "cold war" of sort. There are two major groups forming: Boarding Area, First To Board/Frugal Travel Guy. The rest of us bloggers could be called the "non-aligned movement." If the Cold War reference is too dark for you...lets call it Walmart vs. Target vs. Mom & Pop stores. Is the creation of these so called Super Powers bad? My opinion is no. The United States has survived with Walmart and Target for decades, so two blog sites writing on miles and points, should be able to survive. Yes, Mom and Pop shops have suffered, but others have survived. The small business that have survived have carved out niches for themselves. The same is happening in our community.
The best part is that You, the reader/consumer have power to shape the direction our blogging community follows. If you like what a blogger writes, Like the post on Facebook, retweet the article or leave a comment. Over time, if you like a blogger follow them on twitter, Facebook and Google+. On the other hand, if you don't like what a blogger is writing STOP READING. Similarly, if you are tired of the credit card posts that earn bloggers money, apply through links that aren't theirs. Hit them in the pocketbook.
I applaud Mile Nerd for his rant even if I disagree with everything that he said. He had the guts to write what all of us have been thinking. His honesty was a breath of fresh air and for his reward, I continue to read him.
*drops microphone and gets off soap box*
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