The Ultimate NHL All-Star Weekend Experience

[CroFlames]

So were you terribly disappointed a plug like Scott was there, and did it ruin your entire ASG experience like so many people predicted it would?

[GoFlamesGo]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

So were you terribly disappointed a plug like Scott was there, and did it ruin your entire ASG experience like so many people predicted it would?

The exact opposite actually.

All the fans and players fully embraced Scott. Scott made the weekend extra special and memorable. In hindsight, everything worked out perfectly for the NHL and Scott.

I heard people have already approached Scott about making a movie.

[GoFlamesGo]

I won the same SPG Moments package as last year! We're in sunny LA for 2017 NHL All-Star Weekend.

I started a new Instagram account and have been posting pics and vids of the experience: https://www.instagram.com/raytravelsfree/

I'll update the account and this post with even more details once I'm back in Calgary.

[TheScorpion]

Jesus, how many people enter this contest?

[AC]

Sounds like you weren't kidding around with your Instagram bio!

Ray Travels Free
I've accumulated millions of points by travel hacking. I travel for free or dirt cheap. Follow my journey and learn how you can travel for free too!

[calgaryblood]

Maybe I'm missing something but you're bragging about screwing other people out of winning by hacking the system?

[AC]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Maybe I'm missing something but you're bragging about screwing other people out of winning by hacking the system?

Sounds like he actually won an auction for the trip by spending reward points.

If I understand "travel hacking" correctly, it's about knowing which credit cards to sign up for, purchases to make, and other methods of getting a lot of reward points for relatively cheap. Unfortunately Google just points me towards self-professed experts who want to sell books and information on how to do it.

[powderjunkie]

Maybe he got incriminating photos of NHL execs last year?

[GoFlamesGo]

Originally Posted by AC

Sounds like he actually won an auction for the trip by spending reward points.

If I understand "travel hacking" correctly, it's about knowing which credit cards to sign up for, purchases to make, and other methods of getting a lot of reward points for relatively cheap. Unfortunately Google just points me towards self-professed experts who want to sell books and information on how to do it.

AC is absolutely right.

Travel hacking is simply the art of collecting frequent flyer points/miles to get free flights, hotels and more. It's about understanding how to get as many points as possible by spending the least. One of the best and easiest ways is to know which credit cards to sign-up for and how to maximize the benefits.

I started travel hacking about 5 years ago and have accumulated a lot of points. I taught lots of friends and family how to do it. I plan on launching a new blog teaching people how I do it in the near future. Don't worry, I won't be selling books or charging anything.

[rain_e]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Maybe I'm missing something but you're bragging about screwing other people out of winning by hacking the system?

He's basically going to create a blog and market it to his audience. Therefore getting more points/benefits/money/etc through his audience and affiliates. This is the start of it to create the audience.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo

I won the same SPG Moments package as last year! We're in sunny LA for 2017 NHL All-Star Weekend.

I started a new Instagram account and have been posting pics and vids of the experience: https://www.instagram.com/raytravelsfree/

I'll update the account and this post with even more details once I'm back in Calgary.

That's crazy. I collect points through work and also have a ton of points. I don't win trips though.

[3rd Degree]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo

AC is absolutely right.

Travel hacking is simply the art of collecting frequent flyer points/miles to get free flights, hotels and more. It's about understanding how to get as many points as possible by spending the least. One of the best and easiest ways is to know which credit cards to sign-up for and how to maximize the benefits.

I started travel hacking about 5 years ago and have accumulated a lot of points. I taught lots of friends and family how to do it. I plan on launching a new blog teaching people how I do it in the near future. Don't worry, I won't be selling books or charging anything.

Which credit cards do you use?

[GoFlamesGo]

Just got back from LA.

Simply put, Best. Weekend. Ever!

Last year in Nashville was awesome and I didn't think anything could ever top it.

DAY 1 recap: Friday
We arrived Friday morning with multiple events scheduled in the afternoon and evening. We got an Airbnb a block away from Staples with a cool view of the arena from our balcony.



First up, we went to JW Marirott at LA Live to pick-up NHL gift bags that was included in the auction. To our surprise, within minutes of entering the hotel, we ran into Lemieux, Scott Stevens and Crosby! It caught us off guard were since we weren't prepared or expected to see anyone. After we got our swag bags (NHL All-Star branded backpack, magazine, water bottle, and headphones), we decided JW Marriott was the place to be. So be went to the hotel lobby bar and order beers. We stayed for about an hour and saw Gretzky, Towes, Lidstrom, MacInnis, Niewendyk, Fehr, Laine, MacKinnon, Trocheck, Smith, and Fowler. We approached MacInnis and Niewendyk and told them we were huge Flames fans from Calgary and got pics with them.

After that, we met up with our NHL host and she escorted us into the arena and we got a tour of the players dressing rooms, players bench, media room, and press box. I took a pic sitting in Crosby's stall and was shocked to see how old and dirty his equipment was. His jock strap and shoulder pads has to be at least 10 years old. It was all worn out and falling apart. As we finished the tour and walked out the arena, we saw a family of 4 all wearing Flames jerseys (we were wearing our Flames jerseys as well). We talked to them and found out they won the Rogers All-Star Weekend contest (Entire trip was paid for - ie. flights, hotel, tickets, $500 spending money, and got to play NHL17 with McDavid)!



After the tour, we quickly ran back to our condo and got ready for the NHL 100 event. It was a black tie gala at the Microsoft Theater in LA Live celebrating the 100 greatest players of all time. Our package included 2 prime orchestra tickets ($300 face value per ticket). It was the first time I ever wore a bow tie. As we were walking through security into the building, McDavid and his family was directly in front our us. It was cool being all dressed up and in a room with so many NHL Stars and Legends. The event was hosted by John Hamm and John Legend performed 2 songs. It was a wonderful event and cool experience. We saw Tavares and Modano and got pictures with them. It was a long day with an even busier day tomorrow.

[ASP#26525]

Wow, what a trip! And a very nicely made post Congrats!

Uhm, you look familiar--do you travel all around to Flames games quite frequently? If so, I think I may have sat next to you on the plane to Chicago last winter Happy travels!

[GoFlamesGo]

Originally Posted by ASP#26525

Wow, what a trip! And a very nicely made post Congrats!

Uhm, you look familiar--do you travel all around to Flames games quite frequently? If so, I think I may have sat next to you on the plane to Chicago last winter Happy travels!

Thanks!

Yes, I travel often to watch the Flames play in other cities. I've probably been to about half the arenas in the league. I used to think the Dome was good enough, but it's a dump once you compare it to other arenas. I love the Dome, it's a 1 or generous 2 out of 10 compared to some of the newer buildings.

All-Star Weekend Day 2 and 3 are coming soon.

[Alberta_Beef]

John Legend would be amazing to see perform live, even for only a couple songs.

[Northendzone]

thanks for posting a pic of somebody's can - always nice to see what pro players use for protection

[GoFlamesGo]

DAY 2 recap: Saturday

Action packed day. We met up with our NHL host at 10am and attended the players Red Carpet Entrance and had access to the Media Scrum. Our host seemed to know and have a close relationship with a lot of the players so she was able to stop a lot of them to take pics of us. It was very cool. I have a new found respect for the following players: Marchand, Rask, McDonagh, Simmons, Burns, and Gaudreau. We were in a roped off section with about 100 kids. Of all the All-Stars, they were the only players to take their time and stop to sign autographs for every kid. Tuukka Rask went above and beyond. Not only did he signed autographs for every kid, he took the time to initiate conversations with everyone and let each kid take a selfie with him. He was there by himself forever. Amazing guy.



Most players signed a few autographs and gave every kid a high-five. Funny story, as Taylor Hall entered the room, all the kids got super excited and started chanting McDavid (thinking he was McDavid). Hall wasn't very pleased lol. Big thumbs down to McDavid and Matthews. They purposely took the long way around and walked on the far side of the hallway and ignored all the kids. I heard a few NHL reps whisper how Gordie Howe would roll over in his grave if he saw that. Shame on you McDavid and Matthews. You would think the younger players would relish and appreciate these kind of moments more then the veterans who've been doing it for so long.

I emailed the Flames told them I was going to the All-Star game and they set-up a meet and greet with Gaudreau! A group of about dozen Flames fans met up with him to get autographs and pics. Very nice and polite guy and was happy to see the C of Red in LA. We made a brief cameo on the Flames' Instagram Stories and Flames TV.



After that, we attended the Skills Competition. In addition to our tickets, we got hospitality passes that allowed us to go to a private area in the building that served free food and open bar. The Skills Competition was fun. Kings fans are very knowledgeable and know they hockey. Had great conversations with everyone sitting around us.

Immediately after the game, we got tickets to the Saturday Night NHL Party. The league went full out on the private party. Beautiful venue and tons of free food and open bar everywhere. Snoop Dogg and Blink 182 took turns performing on the stage.


DAY 3 recap: Sunday
Best. Day Ever!

We got access to the Sunday Brunch at NHL Fan Fair. It was closed off to the general public. Again free food and open bar everywhere. Lots of hockey related activities and you could take pics with the Stanley Cup and all the trophies. After that, we got to meet the NHL Network crew. They were just about to go on-air so we didn't stay long.

After that, our NHL host took us into Staples Center and we got another behind the scenes tour on game-day. As we walked by the players locker room, we saw a bunch of people wearing jerseys. Our initial thought was fans wearing a bunch of vintage jerseys of some of the greats. As we got closer, we were shocked to see it was actually the 100 greatest players wearing their own jerseys! They were all just standing around mingling waiting to be introduced on the ice. It blew our minds! There was no one else there except us and a film crew. We hung around and talked to a handful of legends and managed to get pics with Orr, Sakic, Yzerman, LaFontaine, Lindros, Lidstrom and Nieuwendyk (in a Flames jersey)! It was a surreal experience. We were geeking out hard! After that, we went to our seats and watched the All-Star game. Immediately after the game, we were escorted to the media room and MPV Simmons came in and answered a bunch of questions.

Not sure how to post Instagram video: https://www.instagram.com/p/BP8g5tuB...raytravelsfree



We're back in Calgary now and still gushing about how we somehow got to hang out and meet all GOATs. Best weekend ever. Thanks to SPG, NHL and Flames for an unbelievable experience.

[FBI]

All I can say is:
Jealous

[GoFlamesGo]

Originally Posted by 3rd Degree

Which credit cards do you use?

Between my wife and I, we have over a dozen credit cards.

If you're new to travel hacking, the best card to get started on is the AMEX Gold Rewards Card. You get 25K free welcome points (enough points to travel almost anywhere in North America) and they're also waiving the 1st years annual fee! So, sign-up for the card (25K points), refer the card to your wife or friend (5K points for each referral), they get 25K free points for signing up equals a quick and easy 55K points without paying any annual CC fees. Cancel the card before the year ends unless you really like the card.

I blogged about it here with more detail: http://www.calgarydealsblog.com/2017...h-america.html