I am excited to announce that I will be speaking at the Los Angeles Frequent Traveler University, being held November 30 - December 2 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel LAX.

My talk will be about free oneways on awards, probably under a title like Three Vacations, Two Awards: Adding a Free Oneway to Award Tickets.

To everyone in LA or willing to travel:

I had such a fun time at last month's dinner that I am organizing another one for next Saturday, October 27 at 7 PM.

We will meet at a delicious restaurant in the 90006 zip code with convenient access to the 10, 101, 5, and 110. (Average entree, approximately $12.) Tahsir and I will both be there, but you'll probably learn more from the other attendees than you will from us. There won't be any formal teaching, just chatting and socializing.

The Chicago Seminars were last Friday through Sunday just outside O'Hare at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove. I had an absolute blast, learned quite a bit, and highly recommend everyone go next year. This post is part recap, part tips for next year if you go. Interspersed are pictures of me and some of my favorite bloggers.

Daraius (Million Mile Secrets) and I are both in our signature outfits

I had volunteered to help with registration starting at 4 PM on Friday.

The Chicago Seminars are in two days, and I'm flying out to the Second City tomorrow! Several readers have asked about the possibility of a meetup, which sounds great because it's always fun to share stories and tips face-to-face.

Here's my schedule:

Friday 4 PM - 5 PM, helping with Registration

If you're one of the early birds to check in, I should be at the table.

Friday at 8:30 PM - ?? at the Pizza Restaurant/Bar attached to the Hotel

Parag from Frequent Flyer University and I will be having drinks at the bar.

I am excited to announce that I will be bringing on an intern as soon as possible to work approximately ten hours per week writing for this site. I invite all those interested to apply via email.

The internship will be unpaid and will consist of researching and writing five posts per week that will form a new feature on this blog--sorry, I can't give more information yet. I estimate this time commitment at ten hours per week, but it could be less.

I am looking for a good writer with solid grammar and a facility for explanation.