An Introduction-Richard Kerr

High School – Manchester, England & Lagrange, GA

BBA International Business 2007 –Georgia College

Supply Officer – USS KENTUCKY 2010-2013

Material Control Officer – FRC WEST PAC Atsugi, Japan

Visited 44 states and 35 countries on 28 different airlines; flew 40,000 miles on 35 flights to 22 countries in 2013

a. Traveling on airline and hotel loyalty points acquired for minimum out-of-pocket cost

b. Taking advantage of mistake fares, promotions, and ‘program combinations’ to travel for minimum out of pocket cost

THAI AIRWAYS A380 FIRST CLASS

1. This hobby heavily involves your personal finances; you must have a firm, definite idea of where you stand on a daily basis and maintain flawless records.

2. 98% of the time, there is no magic website to buy nearly free tickets***

3. This is a hobby that requires time, effort, and organization.

4. There are risks involved in the techniques I teach.5. I have 100% ethical, legal, and moral confidence in my

techniques. 6. Spending $10,000 at one time in a Dollar General in the

southern USA is a LOT OF FUN!

*** Take my class and I’ll explain the 2% exception.

Legacy – Mileage Based

Length of Flight = Miles earned

American (US Airways) Delta -Fare Classes United

Earnings multiplied by (or cut by) fare class booked and elite status

“New Age” – Points Based

Points/$ or Segment Flown

Southwest Airlines (Air Tran)

Jet Blue

Different because they are in every aspect: Spirit

Region BasedRegion X to Region Y cost

flat # of miles based on economy, business, or first

US Airways Award Chart

Length-of-Flight Based 0-500 Miles - X 501-1500 Miles –Y 1501-3000 Miles – Z So on and so forth

Miles required for Business and first usually doubled and tripled respectively

AA Explorer Award Chart

Fixed amount of points per $ spent – Big 6: Hilton/Marriott/IHG -10 pts/$ Depending on Hotel Brand

Hyatt/Starwood - 5 pts/$

Club Carlson - 10 pts/$ Other Chains

Best Western, La Quinta, Choice, Kimpton, Accor, Wyndam

Compounded with: Elite Bonuses

Promotions

New phenomenon of “Bonus Point Rates”

• Each chain has numbered categories in which every hotel is placed

• Increase by level of luxury/location

• As the category increases, so does the # of points required for a free night

HYATT AWARD CHART

Most major hotel chains and some airlines will recognize each other’s status

Gain status with one – spread to all Status can be matched in 2 ways:

Straight Up – Good until February of the following year

Challenge – Stay ‘X’ number of nights in a given time period to permanently have status

You receive status even during trial period

Why status? Room Upgrade

Free Breakfast

Concierge/Club/Business Lounge Access

Free Internet

Early Check In/Late Check Out

Speedy Check In

ALL NEW – Hyatt Elite Rates – 20% off Just Ask! – Brother-in-law Presidential Suite

Schedule Change Rule

Delta Schedule Change Rule

2012 Passenger Bill of Rights

File complaints with DOT

The Art of the Stopover & Open Jaw

AVERAGE JOE TRIP2 ADULTS, 3 NIGHTS

Expense Cost Net Gains/Losses

ATL-ORD $265 pp Total - $530 2,424 United Miles

JW Marriott $209/nt - $729.83 total 3,645 Marriott Points

Rent-a-Car $53/day +taxes Total -$254.80 - Hertz

84 Hertz Points

Food/Drink $80 pp/day -$480

Entertainment $100 pp/day -$600

*Costs current as of Jan 10, 2014

Expense Cost Net Gains/Losses

ATL-ORD 50,000 United Miles $20 taxes and fees

80% probability of $800 in UA vouchers & Free one way flight

JW Marriott $154.50/nt - $513.50 6,848 Marriott Points, 1 free night, Room Upgrade

Rental Car $21/day - $181.45 2500 United Miles

Food $40 pp/day -$240

Entertainment $100 pp/day $600

TRAVEL HACKER TRIP 2 Adults, 3 Nights

Extras:• Free Internet ($15/day)• Concierge Lounge – Free breakfast, tapas, drinks, concierge ($125/person/day)• Free early check-in/late check out (great with odd flight times)• Free Health Club Use ($20/visit/person)• Arrival Gift and X Factors• United Lounge Use at ATL and ORD

Week Title

1 The Foundation on Which to Build

2 The Big M.S.

3 KnowYour Alliances – * A, OW, ST

4 3 for the Price of 2 – The More Powerful Zone/Booking Practices

5 BRG - Stay in Style

6 Lets Step it Up - $860 in Magazines got me Business Class to Japan!

7 Hacks in the Shadows (Shhh, what’s taught here stays with you!)

8 Put it Together! – Hack for your Dreams

I will teach you how to earn hundreds of thousands of loyalty miles for minimal cost out of your pocket through multiple methods.

Closing Thoughts

This is a DYNAMIC art form

1 (or more) miles/pts earning

credit cards are the best

tools of the trade

SWAG Giveaway Q&A

Bali – Feb 2013