My name is Mike. I have traveled on and off for various jobs for both work and pleasure and accumulated a fair amount of loyalty program points along the way. I’ve also done my best to learn how to accumulate points without travel at all, and maximize the value out of redeeming my points and miles.
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I created some original tools – the Companion Pass Engine designed to advise one how to achieve a Southwest Companion Pass, and the United/American Goal Engine, which advises a credit card award path to achieve a free trip/travel objective. Although I have let the award charts and card offers slip maintenance as I have little incentive to maintain them sans referrals. So apologies for the semi-useful state, however they still do provide some value! If I am ever provided my own referral links I will update them fully.
My past jobs including technical architecture, business intelligence, and data warehouse consulting roles. I have also worked as a sales engineer for a large volume and high speed database appliance platform. For the first time in my professional career, I am not a regular employee performing DBA/architect work on this platform, with some flexibility to travel. I also host a website for a local sandblaster who provides a mobile sandblasting service.
I like cats more than dogs, I’m what I call a practical libertarian, and most of what I read is non-fiction and based around history and economics or computer stuff. I’m a car guy and pretty biased towards BMW and Subaru. I’m trying to make my blog a go to place for destination car experiences, provide some digital nomad advice, and tips on how to travel (mostly fly) for cheap, at least while banks keep allowing you to funnel their marketing dollars into your pocket.
My 2015 status achievements, soon to turn into nothing as we head into 2016! I am no longer doing the work travel required to acquire or maintain these.
| Program | Status |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | Executive Platinum |
| Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards | Companion Pass |
| Hilton HHonors | Diamond |
| Starwood Preferred Guest | Platinum |
| Club Carlson | Gold |
| Marriott Rewards | Silver |
| Hertz Gold Plus | President’s Circle |
My SkyHops map.
Open for ideas of things to add to the Bucket List or even traveling together. Head to the airport Friday to spend a weekend in Paris shopping? Just kidding, I’d never do that. Do you have a friend whose car we can borrow for a weekend at the Nürburgring? I’m game, might even cover the flight for that one. Extra points if it’s got a Hofmeister kink. Or if you are Anna Kendrick. Call me Anna, I’ll teach you all about points girl!
Hey Mike,
You might want to gray out your FF number on your ticket stubs. 🙂
a good idea indeed…
I have an idea and a question that I wish not to have published right now, how can I do that? Do you have an email I can send it to?
mike d00000t taveirne @Aat gmail D.0t com
Yo Mike!
Sorry for the late reply to your comment on my MMS interview. I just read through some of your posts and your blog is great! You were right, we do have some similar experiences. But I must admit, your graphics are adorable and you definitely post more than I do. Kudos! As much traveling as we do, I’m sure we’ll run into each other (at a gym) some day. Lol. Let’s keep in touch. I definitely want to stay up to date on your travels. Are you on Twitter or Instagram?
we may cross paths but i’m probably more likely to be walking by the gym eating oreo ice cream. my post pace varies a lot, the struggle with putting out something with value eh? sometimes i put things up just to remind myself of something or to have some research done that i can use later. like i’m working on an avios article to see where i can go for 9000 avios r/t from the chicagoland area. much of that benefit will be just for me! i don’t actually use either of those much and they are personal instead of the blog. the best way to keep track of new blog posts is the email subscription, which seems to be mostly subscribed to by bots.
Haha it’s all good man. Most of posts start off as research that I do also so I’m in the same boat as you. Well, safe travels and enjoy those bots.