stinkycop

Well put. And many apologies if I unfaily singled you out. But you were responding so I put my questions to you. And again you are just one of many many travel bloggers. But again its seems to me that people, newbies and others look to these blogs for the good information extracted from the tons of information on FT and MP and other places. But lately its been all about CC sign ups where the bloggers get referalls and trip reports. Now I know all about alot of secretive stuff. As well as you do. But I guess what I am trying to say is this info only for us chosen few. Or should it be served to everyone. The catch 22 is if we do that then will that goodie be corrected by the airline/hotel and will disappear.

Canarsie

The prevailing argument is supposedly that if that secretive information is “served to everyone” rather than to those few who find out about it, it may not be long at all before it is no longer available to anyone.

stinkycop

Agreed. But my issue is also that maybe a little Quid Quo Pro is due here. I have no problems with the bloggers advertising or getting a commission for thier CC referrals. Because it is up to me whether to utilize them or just go to the web site. But this appears to me to have gone from hobby blogs to a business. Hell, FTG I understand just sold his blog. So now I look at myself as a clients if I use thier portal And as a client are not I am entitled to that hidden information?

CodeAdam10

Times change. This may be the era when most bloggers are converting to the 'credit card marketing' approach. People (no, FT'ers) will recognize this and move on accordingly. I will, however, tell you that at the end it will make minimal (no) difference to any of the bloggers' bottom line. We are not the group they depend on to make most of their affiliate commission. They know that. Many here just need to understand the same.

As far as letting the cat out of the bag completely, I think, after being on FT for a few months, most of us have at least 1 secret that we have not let out of the bag either, because we want to enjoy it and reap the benefits for as long as possible. Likewise, no (smart) business-person will tell all of their secrets. It's about finding the balance between being genuine, offering unique content, and still find a way to bring people back to your business (website). If your business depended on selling fish, would you tell everyone they can go half a mile down and get free fish every morning before 10am? I doubt it. Does that make you dishonest? Err, probably not.

stinkycop

But if you want me to buy your fish. It better taste good.

CodeAdam10

^ I guess that's for you to decide. If I fail you once, don't come back.

garykung

I am not trying to be the judge here. But it does not seem that both sides (Readers and Bloggers) understand each others.

It is not easy to become a blogger. You have to watch out for a lot of things, like topics and traffic.

For instance - my blog has opened for exactly eight month today. Based on the statistics, I have about 1 visit per day. For me - I believe it is a success already because of the tons of resources from the internet.

Then the topic - like news, not every single day you will have breaking news or something good to discuss. But you have to maintain your traffic flow. So? You talk about what people are interested. In that case, it is basically unavoidable that bloggers won't talk about the same deal.

I am not in a position for defending Mommy Point and others, like Gary, Brian and Lucky. But as a reader and you see you don't like these kinds of post, have you ever express your opinion to them (like editorial)?

They do listen to people, unlike newspapers. And as a reader - you also have the right not to read those.

I don't see the point why blaming the bloggers will do any good.

studentbecometeacher

This statement about the vast majority of bloggers is neither here nor there. Most who complain here are only concerned with the big-timers. $100 referral fee (as one example) multiplied by 1,000 is $100,000.

I think that bloggers do a lot of good work out there and deserve a credit card referral fee (or two or three or four), so long as the fact that it's a referral link is disclosed and readers want to give the bloggers such fees. Also, if the affiliate links are the only offers you think are available, when actually there are non-affiliate links you could have used (example I am thinking about recently is chase sapphire preferred), it's your fault for not doing additional research if you want to use non-affiliate links.

I have used such affiliate links on some of the blogs mentioned in this thread. I think that the jealousy/envy feeling that some hold towards the bloggers is wrong, even though it may be a natural emotional reaction. I think the saying "don't hate the player, hate the game" can be inserted here. If you don't want to give the bloggers business, that's fine, but it's each person's choice as to whether one wants to click on the blog's credit card link. Even if bloggers address all of your complaints here, many of you aren't going to use their affiliate links anyways. How is that fair to the bloggers? Do you really expect to legitimately obtain free advice from a blog and yet complain that the blogger is getting referral fees from other people?

I do, however, think that it's fair to ask about promises that bloggers have made about the use of referral income.

Because G.L. wrote about using some credit card fees for charitable donations originally here and also here, I wonder if he should disclose what percentage and/or how much of referral fees is getting contributed to charity? And how is he reducing his frequent flyer award planning fees (another original reason he stated)? He did state that he didn't intend to bump up his income but implied using for good.

Again, I will continue to use affiliate links when I think that blogger is providing a valuable service. The link I use oftentimes depends on the highest utility I perceive receiving from a particular blog.

saacman5033

^ Great post.

If there is a problem with a blogger or bloggers, take it up with them rather than litter MilesBuzz with tiresome drivel.

RetiredRoadWarrior

^ This thread just won't die.

As I posted here earlier, use a reader. I have 20+ often useful blogs on Google Reader. It takes me less time to decide what to read than it would to bellyache here about bloggers.

josephstern

LOL - if you skip the blogs you don't like, skip the threads you don't like here on FT also!

RetiredRoadWarrior

Valid point

I just couldn't resist.

saacman5033

Lol, just can't resist!

Of course, with a reader I just remove a blog that has irritated me. If only I could do the same thing with this thread.

josephstern

It's true - I've seen forums where you can "ignore thread" or, better yet, "ignore poster" and those threads/posters just become invisible to you. I don't think we have that here, but I'd be happy to be surprised.

EDIT: Looks like we do have "ignore user" here.

belfordrocks

And MatthewLAX from UPGRD just came out with a post that doesn't deceptively pimp out the card as the next best thing, but rather talks objectively about its benefits and (many) downsides. Another reason he's still my favourite blogger. ^