Topic Wiki

This is the thread where you can ask any random question you have. Feel free to ask even the most basic questions that you otherwise might be embarrassed to ask. This is the thread for beginners, so veterans here will treat you nicely. Ask a beginner's Q in some other threads and no guarantee of that same treatment. ;)
People here want to help, so just have some patience, follow the tips below and hopefully someone will help you when they have a chance.

If you looking for a particular thread you once saw and can't find it, this is not the place to ask. Check out Help Me Find It and ask there.

How to ask a question in this thread:
Click the blue reply button at the top or bottom of the page, type your question, and click post!

Some helpful tips for eliciting answers from other members:
- Keep your question short and precise. No one wants to read a megillah.
- The more questions you ask in one post, the less likely any will be answered. People are willing to answer a question or two, but if you ask all the questions that apply to your particular issue, you're expecting to be spoonfed. Members don't like holding out the spoon, so ask accordingly.


If you Need Help booking Flights?
Need Help Finding a Paid Ticket
Need Help Finding a Award Ticket

« Last edited by DoreshEmes on April 11, 2019, 03:54:27 AM »

Author Topic: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!  (Read 1737953 times)

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11513
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« on: May 03, 2012, 10:43:16 PM »
For all your beginners out there, here's a thread for all your questions-
 Welcome!

       For all your "experts" out there. Please only post helpful and patient responses without degrading people and making them feel bad for being a beginner!

Try to keep your responses as simple and detailed as possible!!



                             
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline bubbles

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 5060
  • Total likes: 20
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 67
    • View Profile

Offline bubbles

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 5060
  • Total likes: 20
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 67
    • View Profile
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2012, 10:53:46 PM »
And of course this thread wouldn't be complete without

1. Topic: Signing up for multiple cards help - here, here, here, here
2. Topic: Buying gift cards/credit cards to rack up points - OK
3. Topic: Credit Score before and after 3bm - here, here
4. Topic: Does the 3bm work for the same exact card - here
5. Topic: Which credit cards have a high spending requirement - here, here
6. Topic: Anyone get the Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet? - here, here, here
7.  Topic: Contest idea  - OK (maybe should be in Just shmooze
8. Topic: Text message only plan - here, here
9. Topic: What is the difference between regular miles and Medallion miles - here, here, here
10. Topic: What is the best site (or sites) to get credit score? - here, here, here, here
11.  Topic: How much can one make from credit cards? - here
12. Topic: Malcolm Gladwell video - OK
13. Topic: Explanation of card abbreviations in this forum - here, here
14. Topic: Web code to zoom in on images help here
15. Topic: Best site(s) for online trading - OK
16. Topic: Flash for Canon dslr camera - OK
17.  Topic: What do people do after first year of having a card - here, here
18. Topic: iPod touch accessories recommendation - here
19. Topic: AMEX Black - here, here
20. Topic: What does it take to get banned from a credit card? - here
21. Topic: Are there cards that allow you to pay balance with debit cards? - here
22.  Topic: How long do banks keep info for? - here
23.  Topic: Looking to do two 3bms? - here, here
24. Topic: How do I get my gmail to forward to my iPod? - here
25.  Topic: 3bm Platinum, Gold, and Starwoods - here and many more 3bm threads besides a few of your own!


Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11513
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2012, 10:57:01 PM »
And of course this thread wouldn't be complete without

Lol..what a way to overwhelm everybody. :)
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline HelpMe

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 3427
  • Total likes: 40
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2012, 01:37:44 AM »
Let me start off with a couple of questions. If I don’t get flamed I would say it is safe for anyone to ask a question.  :)

I just booked a ticket on BA flying on AA. One day between booking and flying. I was charged 20k points and a $5 fee. I was surprised I wasn’t charge some sort of fee for booking so late. Is this the way most programs work?

If I transfer points from one BA account to another family members BA account will this extend the time of expiation?
"Elvis Has Left The Building"

Offline YOSEF

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2009
  • Posts: 2185
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16
    • View Profile
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2012, 01:40:00 AM »
I just booked a ticket on BA flying on AA. One day between booking and flying. I was charged 20k points and a $5 fee. I was surprised I wasn’t charge some sort of fee for booking so late. Is this the way most programs work?
Most is a very strong word.
Some programs charge close-in booking fees and some don't.
Its part of the whole rubric of how to figure out which FF program to use.
BTW, the $5 was taxes, not a fee.

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67599
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2012, 01:42:27 AM »
Let me start off with a couple of questions. If I don’t get flamed I would say it is safe for anyone to ask a question.  :)

I just booked a ticket on BA flying on AA. One day between booking and flying. I was charged 20k points and a $5 fee. I was surprised I wasn’t charge some sort of fee for booking so late. Is this the way most programs work?

If I transfer points from one BA account to another family members BA account will this extend the time of expiation?

All programs are different.  BA happens to have no "close-in" fees, which make it an excellent value for last-minute tickets.  In general it's an excellent program for short-haul nonstop flights but a terrible program if you're trying to fly across the pond due to bogus fuel surcharges.

I'm not an expert on family accounts, but are you sure it's possible to actually transfer points like that?
Anyway any activity (redeem/earn) should extend everything for 36 months.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline txtmax4

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2009
  • Posts: 6954
  • Total likes: 12
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #7 on: May 04, 2012, 01:52:17 AM »
Great thread idea! This way DDf'ers wont get annoyed when n00bs ask simple questions and whoever wants to ask can have a shot in this thread.
Although I doubt this will keep spam off other threads.
Maybe there should be a sticky of this on each of the forum sections so n00bs can try their luck there before spamming and OTing good threads.
Mods?
If You See Something, Say Something!!

Offline SuperFlyer

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 9351
  • Total likes: 414
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2012, 03:18:17 AM »
I hate to rain on the parade, but this thread is growing way too fast for a noob to follow, unless a just a quenstion and answer thread with additional patience.
I thought it would be a kind of DDF 4 Dummies, teaching them how to use the site, and the basics of the popular subjects so that they can jump in the regular threads.

I don't mind doing it, but would need a way to edit (my) first post of the thread, so that it can be updated, based on the posts later on in the thread. (A bit like the trip report master thread)

Offline ChAiM'l

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1823
  • Total likes: 51
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2012, 06:55:16 AM »
I don't mind doing it, but would need a way to edit (my) first post of the thread,

In other words...

I wanna be a mod too...

Offline SuperFlyer

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 9351
  • Total likes: 414
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2012, 07:22:51 AM »
In other words...


No, in other words, despite my overfull schedule, I'm willing to give beginners a fair chance.

I just need to be able to edit the first post of the thread, and update with fresh or corrected info.

I help way more people off ddf than on the forum, so I'm not looking for status or gratification of some sort.

I sleep an average of 3 hours a night, so i'm really not looking for extra duties.

Offline ChAiM'l

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1823
  • Total likes: 51
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2012, 10:17:58 AM »
No, in other words, despite my overfull schedule, I'm willing to give beginners a fair chance.

I just need to be able to edit the first post of the thread, and update with fresh or corrected info.

I help way more people off ddf than on the forum, so I'm not looking for status or gratification of some sort.

I sleep an average of 3 hours a night, so i'm really not looking for extra duties.

Sorry I left out the '/jk'...

Offline Side incomer

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 3507
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #12 on: May 04, 2012, 11:09:57 AM »
If I transfer points from one BA account to another family members BA account will this extend the time of expiation?
This is not called tranferring, is called pooling in a household account, which means everybody stays with their own account, the only thing is that the system will take out per portion from every account every time you book.
So, this will NOT extend the expiration date.
Side income is the most solid income... בדוק ומנוסה

Offline SuperFlyer

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 9351
  • Total likes: 414
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #13 on: May 04, 2012, 11:37:40 AM »
Sorry I left out the '/jk'...

No problem, as I have a busy schedule, I dont really have the time to start getting upset at people  ;-)

Online jj1000

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 13470
  • Total likes: 6095
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 29367
    • View Profile
  • Location: The value of a forum such as this one is not in that one can post a question and receive an answer, but in that the question has most likely been asked before, and the answer is available to him that will but only use the search function.
  • Programs: 1. Search on google. 2. Search in the right board of DDF with a general word or two. 3. Read the wiki. 4. Read the thread. 5. Ask away.
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #14 on: May 04, 2012, 12:42:10 PM »
Great thread idea! This way DDf'ers wont get annoyed when n00bs ask simple questions and whoever wants to ask can have a shot in this thread.
Although I doubt this will keep spam off other threads.
Maybe there should be a sticky of this on each of the forum sections so n00bs can try their luck there before spamming and OTing good threads.
Mods?
I wish we had something like this that you must watch to register


No problem, as I have a busy schedule, I dont really have the time to start getting upset at people  ;-)
And now we know your trick. Hopefully some people here will learn from it, and follow suit.
See my 5 step program to your left <--

(Real signature under my location)

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #15 on: May 04, 2012, 04:57:33 PM »
Thats awesome!!!

Offline HelpMe

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 3427
  • Total likes: 40
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #16 on: May 08, 2012, 01:50:18 AM »
I have given away eBay GC’s if a donation was made to a charity. Can this be done with an airline ticket? Would it violate DDF or the various airline rewards program rules?
"Elvis Has Left The Building"

Offline AsherO

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 30K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 30534
  • Total likes: 7831
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 79
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #17 on: May 08, 2012, 03:03:13 AM »
I hate to rain on the parade, but this thread is growing way too fast for a noob to follow, unless a just a quenstion and answer thread with additional patience.

As others have suggested, this section should really be a forum of its own.

In other words...

Lehavdil...

Besides, cut me some slack, that was my first post :P
100% of Likes will be donated to support our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael

Offline PlatinumGuy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 14958
  • Total likes: 2421
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #18 on: May 08, 2012, 03:49:28 AM »
I have given away eBay GC’s if a donation was made to a charity. Can this be done with an airline ticket? Would it violate DDF or the various airline rewards program rules?
I guess giving something in return for a donation isn't bartering, more like giving away to a friend. If the airline allows it, I'm sure Dan will.

Just a piece of advice, keep the actual flight info via pm so an airline doesn't try to track him down (they've been known to do that).
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Online jj1000

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 13470
  • Total likes: 6095
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 29367
    • View Profile
  • Location: The value of a forum such as this one is not in that one can post a question and receive an answer, but in that the question has most likely been asked before, and the answer is available to him that will but only use the search function.
  • Programs: 1. Search on google. 2. Search in the right board of DDF with a general word or two. 3. Read the wiki. 4. Read the thread. 5. Ask away.
Re: Questions and Help for BEGINNERS!
« Reply #19 on: May 08, 2012, 08:15:38 AM »
I guess giving something in return for a donation isn't bartering, more like giving away to a friend. If the airline allows it, I'm sure Dan will.

Just a piece of advice, keep the actual flight info via pm so an airline doesn't try to track him down (they've been known to do that).
huh?  First you said make sure the airline allows it then you said the airline might track him down. If they allow it why would they track him down?  ???
See my 5 step program to your left <--

(Real signature under my location)