the *point* man (Henry)

 

I’ve been a business traveler for over 10 years. When I first started out, it was all about the points. Though, I’ve never been a fan of flying, I took solace in the fact that I was reaping the rewards of this virtual currency that would allow me to purchase anything from airline tickets to hotel rooms to car rentals without spending a single dollar of my own salary. The subject of many discussions with my fellow business travelers focused on how to best take advantage of the numerous point systems that weaved themselves into our everyday lives - best credit card point system, best deals on double counting points - you name it and we talked about it.

 

As I’ve entered my thirties, my priorities have changed and I’ve learned that points aren’t enough for me to make the sacrifices that business travel requires. It’s more than points now - it’s about how to spend more time with my family, waste less time waiting for flights, and improve the overall quality of my life. I want to have my cake and eat it too - and points are just the icing, not the cake itself.

 

Think of this place as a layover that actually gets you home faster.

 

*josh* (Josh)

 

Josh started his lifelong addiction to travel with a Continental Airlines OnePass account at the age of 8. Since then, he’s switched affiliation with airlines more frequently than he switches hotel rooms. I’d gladly trade my airline status, hotel status, car company status, Clear card status….to gain back the 100+ nights per year I spend away from my family in hotels.

 

For now, though, that’s not changing and so I try to bring to you a perspective on how to optimize the points, minimize the effort, and maximize the time spent at home. Henry was nice enough to bring me along for the ride on this site to bring some additional commentary and so I try to offer up insights to my fellow business traveler.

 

If you want to find me, look for the weary guy sitting in economy plus listening to my iPod hoping the flight home doesn’t get delayed….by the way, why doesn’t the flight out ever get delayed?

 

Happy travels!

 

 

Who Travels - Fun Facts

  • More than half of all long distance business travel is made by professional, managerial or technical workers
  • More than half of all business travel is made by individuals age 30 to 49
  • Over one-fourth of all business travel is made by those who earn $100,000 or more annually
  • Almost eight out of every 10 business trips (77%) are made by men

*SOURCE: National Household Travel Survey, 2001-2002