We’ve got big news, folks! This week, Miles For Family is joining the BoardingArea network of travel blogs. We are very excited about this new chapter!
I’ve been reading many of the blogs in the BoardingArea network for years, and I have a lot of respect for the writers. I am honored that Miles For Family will be joining the network.
What does this mean? For me, I won’t have to worry about dealing with hosting, network updates and the technical stuff that I dread. Experts will help us with the blog’s appearance and the behind-the-scenes stuff so that I can spend more time creating content that meets the needs of our readers. Our articles will reach new readers, and we can continue to grow the blog’s audience and sustain as a viable small business.
As part of this change, we will be joining BoardingArea’s advertising network, which means we will have another income source besides our credit card affiliate links. (I’ve updated How This Blog Makes Money to reflect that change). Speaking of affiliate links, BoardingArea is not involved with our affiliate links at all and we will continue to have autonomy over those. We will still recommend credit cards outside of our affiliate network if they are better deals than the ones in our affiliate network.
Don’t worry, our focus and content will remain independent. We still control our content, and we won’t be forced to cover certain topics we don’t want to cover. Our reviews will still be unbiased, and we won’t sugar coat anything to protect a brand. That’s not our style!
When I joined the Miles For Family team a few years ago, it was a dream come true for me. I had done a variety of part-time jobs since quitting my corporate job after bringing home my second son, but writing for a travel blog has definitely been my favorite job and an awesome second career!
One of my favorite things about writing for Miles For Family has been interacting with you, the readers. You’ve shared your triumphs and frustrations about this miles and points travel hobby with us. Our community of readers and commenters has been so nice and supportive of us, and for that I am very grateful. On other blogs, I often see rude comments and hecklers, so it’s been nice to have our own respectful corner of the internet over these past few years. Thank you, readers!
I hope you will continue to read and support Miles For Family as we grow and develop in the BoardingArea network.
A note from Leana (the original founder of the blog):
When Nancy first asked me for my thoughts on joining BoardingArea network, I immediately told her that this is a big break for Miles For Family site. It will allow us to reach bigger audience while still retaining independence. A win-win, for sure. I have never seen any BoardingArea blogger say anything negative about the network, including those who chose to move on for one reason or another. That’s a sign of a healthy partnership.
I have a ton of respect for Randy Petersen, who founded Flyertalk, as well as BoardingArea. He must be doing something right because most of the projects seem to thrive under his leadership. I have sent a personal note thanking him for this incredible opportunity. I won’t quote his entire (gracious) response, but one line stood out to me. He told me it has been a privilege for him to support bloggers over the years. I don’t know Randy personally (he protested when I called him Mr. Petersen!), but I have no reason to doubt the sincerity of that statement.
To haters of BoardingArea: I want to reiterate something I’ve said a long time ago. It’s simply a platform to showcase blogs, not some evil conglomerate meant to swallow unbiased content and rob you of deals. Think of it as a market where folks rent stalls to “sell” their wares. Don’t like what one particular merchant is selling? Move on to see what the other guy/gal is offering. No need for drama or angry rants. Plus, all the information is free. To fellow merchants (aka BA bloggers): we come in peace and look forward to working with you all.
So, I gave my blessing to Nancy without hesitation. She will be primarily running the “show”, though I will most definitely still be involved by contributing posts, answering emails and running behind-the-scenes projects. Like Nancy, I want to thank all the readers because without you we wouldn’t get this amazing opportunity.
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Let me add in my own W-E-L-C-O-M-E to the Miles For Family blog onto the BoardingArea hosting platform. It’s been a great journey for the blog—it first applied to BoardingArea back in 2013 with this message “Comment: Hi! I run a blog, called “Miles for family”. Its not so much a “momma” blog, but rather “Frequent Miler”-esque. Or at least I would like to think so. Though instead of manufacturing spend, I focus on how an average family can maximize their bonus and regular spending. I am on a quest to compile a holy grail of “keeper” credit cards for the time when the bonuses dry up. And let’s face it, they probably will someday. I love travel and finance, and my blog is a perfect fusion of both. Please check it out at http://www.milesforfamily.com” … yes, six years ago!
I’m duly impressed that this blog kept on when most other blogs quit a long time ago. Leana became a penpal many years ago and now Nancy leads things forward. We are firmly supportive in saying that we think the best days are ahead for the blog and we love seeing and reading the comments from the readers. The goal of BoardingArea has always been to help blogs grow and to help our fellow frequent flyers find the best blogs in the ocean of information that the web has become.
Welcome Miles For Family and welcome readers.
@Randy (not mr. Petersen) Oh brother! Now I’m super embarrassed that my ramblings from six years ago were revealed to the world or more correctly, this corner of the internet. But I guess I have quoted some of your email, so it’s only fair. 🙂
I’ll let Nancy respond as well, but just wanted to thank you again for this opportunity. We are truly honored, and I mean it. Internet is a challenging space, so it’s nice to have a whole team behind you (who unlike me, knows what they are doing!) Nancy has been invaluable in this journey, and I’m so proud of her and everything we have accomplished together. Due to some personal circumstances, I won’t be as involved as I would like to be. But the site is in good hands, regardless. And I still plan on blogging, and have a few posts scheduled for next week. Thank you again!
P.S. I never forgot how you said that a lot of people told you to “pack up and go home” with all of this frequent flyer miles nonsense. You didn’t listen and was able to prove them wrong. I guess I was kind of hoping for the same outcome, so decided to stick around. Or maybe I’m just stubborn to the point of stupidity. Time will tell, I guess.
Congrats and welcome to the Boarding Area family 🙂
I highly recommend you visit the BA Team @ House of Miles so you can meet the whole team face to face and brainstorm ideas for what you want to improve about the blog.
I look forward to seeing your posts on the BA homepage soon 🙂
@Grant Looks like comments section is working again. It’s official, we are now part of Boarding Area network. Thank you very much for your kind words! I’ve always thought you seemed like a nice guy, based on your posts.
Congratulations that you continue to do something that you enjoy! As many have said, you both provide valuable resources to families, and I have a trip that I planned in the last three weeks where we leave Thursday for Yellowstone because I read about your trip here. My wife has wanted to go, and I cheated by seeing how easy it was to put together. I’m a winner now. Again, thanks and best of luck!
@ArkansasTraveler Wow, that is so cool! The biggest reward of blogging is inspiring others. I know it sounds corny, but it’s true. I’m sure Nancy feels the same way.
This website has evolved quite a bit over the last six years. There have been a lot of ups and downs but at its core, it’s still just two broads sharing their love of travel with other families.
Oh my goodness! Congratulations on such an exciting development. I truly love this blog. It is by far my favorite- your humor, your terrific information. and the respectful tone you set makes me come back day after day. Well done!
@Kelnland Your support means a lot! We definitely try to keep this site respectful and drama-free. I’ve made some mistakes in this particular area in the past, but have learned from them.
Leana, Nancy: congrats on the big move!
@Chuck Thank you! We are still working out all the details, so hopefully this will happen soon. We appreciate DoC site because it’s such a great resource in the hobby.
@Chuck P.S. I’m so glad your site’s Amazon affiliate link was restored! How scary to have that type of uncertainty hanging over you guys. Online business can sure be unpredictable. Glad it worked out in the end. I try to use your Amazon link whenever I can.
That’s amazing news! I definitely go through BA so I’m glad you guys will have a presence there! Yay!
@Army Thanks for reading and all of your comments!
Congrats! You all do a great job here, it’s always a very enjoyable read!
@BC We appreciate it!
Congrats and great work!
@Amy Thank you!
That’s wonderful, exciting news for the 2 of you! Congrats!!
@Lynn and everyone else Thank you so much, guys! Like Nancy already said, we really appreciate it.
I’m touched by all the positive feedback, truly. It’s a new chapter for the blog, and I hope you all stick around.
This has been a passion project that I started six years ago (can’t believe it’s been this long, I’m getting old). Thanks to Nancy, we get to expand beyond our tiny corner of the internet. It’s scary, yet exciting.
Congrats Leana and Nancy! I have been reading the blog for six years! ???? It has been good information and entertainment! I’m taking my family of five on a European road trip next month. I’ll be re-reading Leana’s Germany trip report as we will travel through that area during our two week trip. I’m a little scared because I know it is going to be good old family craziness!???? I enjoy this sites real family trip and booking posts! I just transferred to my first foreign miles program Singapore air to save miles and close in fees on United!
@A Oh my goodness! Talk about a blast from the past. I was just looking at photos of our Germany trip and couldn’t believe how much my kids have grown since then. Have fun! I know all about good old family craziness. 😉
congrats, looking forward to following you over there. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Erik!
Congrats and well deserved!!! So much of your content is applicable to our family of 5!
Thank you, Dan!
Congrats.
Thanks, Eric!
Congrats!!! I am happy so Nancy and Leana can focus on writing posts instead of being angry at WordPress.
Boarding Area is my go to before I make any travel plans.
Thank you, Tania! 🙂
Congrats to a great points blog.
Thank you, Stefan!
Yay! Can’t wait to see what the future holds for the blog. Keep up the great work!
Thank you, Jennifer!
Congratulations! Best of luck:)
Thanks, Tammie!
Congrats guys!!
Thank you, Natasha!
Wow! AMazing!!! Congratulation!
Thanks, HML!
Leana and Nancy… Congratulations on being part of the BoardingArea Network. Wishing milesforfamily continued growth and success.
Thank you, Rick!
Yay!! So excited for you both! You’ve put so much hard work into this, and this is a great step. Randy and team are the best.
Thanks, Ian!