Review of the milesopedia mini-conference (MCM) of January 26, 2019 in Quebec City (YQB)

Our members of the facebook group “Travel for free (or almost…!) with your points & miles – milesopedia” have been asking us for more than a year!

It’s done, on January 26, 2019 we held our very first milesopedia mini convention (MCM) in
Quebec City
.

yqb event

We met from 10am to 4pm at the Complexe Capitale Hélicoptère near the Jean-Lesage International Airport in Quebec City.

capital complex logo

50 people gathered to learn more about travel hacking!

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On the program of the milesopedia YQB mini convention

During nearly 6 hours we presented the contents of the mcm and exchanged with the members.

Here is an outline of what was covered (in over 200 slides..!)

yqb 01
Event in Quebec City

 

For this, we had 3 speakers, each with their own expertise.

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Event in Quebec City

The basic rules of travel hacking

Travel hacking is becoming increasingly popular and a reminder of the main basic rules is an excellent introduction to the subject.

instruction 01
Event in Quebec City

 

instruction 02
Event in Quebec City

Rediscover the articles Opening-Closing Game Plan as well as The Travel Hacker’s 7 Resolutions for 2019! which will help you to define your strategy well.

The credit report

The credit report is the cornerstone of a travel hacker, so it’s important to understand its key workings. We have therefore detailed this part intensively.

Example:

credit 05
Event in Quebec City

The program ecosystem

It is important to understand the difference between:

  • fixed value points
  • points related to a program
  • flexible / hybrid points

And to understand the mechanics between the different programs.

This part was therefore very detailed.

ecosysteme 01
Types of points

Here is an example of point transfers and the different methods to achieve a result.

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Point transfers

Credit cards – beaba

We have (re)-reviewed in detail everything related to credit cards.

Like:

  • the distinction between “point accumulation” vs. “point bonus”,
  • categories of expenses,
  • the means to achieve minimum expenditures,
  • gift cards
  • Prepaid gift cards (Vanilla)…

Example:

cc basic 04
Gift cards and the Cobalt

Here are the reference articles on this subject:

The Vanilla and the Cobalt card

Understanding Spending Multipliers

Testimony of a Travel Hacking beginner

Maryse agreed to “bare her soul” by sharing with us her good and not so good Travel Hacking moves:

  • Starting out with one credit card
  • His mistakes with Aeroplan by using his miles to cover taxes and surcharges
  • His discovery of milesopedia
  • Its progress by reading articles and sharing with members
  • His knowledge of the different tools available
  • His success with the upcoming completion of his first mini-tour of the world

Aeroplan

After an excellent meal, we went on with the main programs.

We discussed the highlights of the Aeroplan program… and the famous mini-tour of the world.

aeroplan 06
Event in Quebec City
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Event in Quebec City

 

 

AIR MILES

The AIR MILES program has many fans. But opinions are always divided between thousand MONEY or thousand DREAMS! We have demonstrated that it is possible to get 26 cents/mile for short-haul flights for example!

am 01
Event in Quebec City

 

Hotels

We then took a look at the hotel programs, including Marriott Bonvoy / Best Western Rewards:

  • The main rules to know for each program
  • Transfer of points
  • Matching points between spouses
  • Ongoing subscription bonuses

 

al maha bedouin suite pool
al maha bedouin suite pool

Round table

Afterwards, we opened the microphones and gave the floor back to our members to address our panel and ask them any questions they had. It was a great group dynamic!

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Door prizes

We had some great door prizes to draw from among our participants.

A big thank you to our partners and in particular:

  1. Aeroplan
  2. Ulysses travel guides
  3. Plastiq

 

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Door prizes

 

Testimonials

Very happy to have attended this presentation. It’s a good investment!

I was still hesitant but now I’m definitely diving in.

Your articles are great, but hearing you in person is SO much clearer! Thank you for your time and generosity in responding!

The time not too fast because it is very interesting, we ask for more!

This event allowed me to understand the travel hacker‘smindset

I learned a lot of things faster than I could on my own.

I really enjoyed the discussions throughout the mini-conference as I am a beginner.

I enjoyed Maryse’s lunchtime testimony because it showed us an experience more within our reach!

Thank you to all the participants of the 1st event in Quebec City.

We are very happy and proud of our community!

TOGETHER let’s continue to make milesopedia
the largest French-speaking travel hacking community.

Join our facebook group!

 

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Event in Quebec City
Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Jean-Maximilien
Jean-Maximilien is an expert in Canada and France about Loyalty programs, Credit cards and Travel. He is the Founding President of Milesopedia.

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