Dec 11, 2014, 8:30 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
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BACKGROUND TO THIS DISCUSSION: The motion to establish a Premium Fare Deals subforum under the Mileage Run Deals forum was passed 23 October 2014.
The thread discussing TalkBoard's consideration and implementation of the new forum can be read here: Should Premium Fare deals get its own forum?
Extract from the Motion Passed: Creation of a Premium Fare Deals Subforum thread:
Motion Passed: Creation of a Premium Fare Deals subforum
Moved by kokonutz and seconded by jason8612:
"The TalkBoard recommends to the Community Director the creation of a subforum called 'Premium Fare Deals' in the Mileage Run Deals forum."
Forum description:
"Discuss specific premium fare code 'good deals' including fare deals that book into premium economy, business and first class cabins. Once any fare expires, the title should be changed to note '[fare expired]'."
The new forum can be visited here: Premium Fare Deals
(lower right wiki corner)BACKGROUND TO THIS DISCUSSION: The motion to establish a Premium Fare Deals subforum under the Mileage Run Deals forum was passed 23 October 2014.
The thread discussing TalkBoard's consideration and implementation of the new forum can be read here: Should Premium Fare deals get its own forum?
Extract from the Motion Passed: Creation of a Premium Fare Deals Subforum thread:
Motion Passed: Creation of a Premium Fare Deals subforum
Moved by kokonutz and seconded by jason8612:
"The TalkBoard recommends to the Community Director the creation of a subforum called 'Premium Fare Deals' in the Mileage Run Deals forum."
Forum description:
"Discuss specific premium fare code 'good deals' including fare deals that book into premium economy, business and first class cabins. Once any fare expires, the title should be changed to note '[fare expired]'."
The new forum can be visited here: Premium Fare Deals
Close the recently created Premium Deals Forum
Nov 15, 2014, 11:56 pm
#46
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,305
Yes voting did happen rapidly and IMHO too rapidly as had TB taken it's time on this matter a site-wide announcement might've draw more users into the debate and given some on TB cause to reconsider their planned vote. As it was barely 17 hours elapsed between motion being posted publicly and results of the unanimous vote being announced, far too short a time frame and something I hope the new TB would avoid in future.
-David
Nov 16, 2014, 2:53 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
It's a lot easier to find relevant fares--and whether those fares are even still valid--just by looking at thread titles than by having to wade through a massive thread with a bunch of fare rules and replies about other fares. The OP notes that premium deals should be treated like other MR threads. I agree. Other MR fares have their own threads and these should too.
Thus, under the old thread there were necessarily numerous discussions going on a once, making it tough to track any updates or additional information on a given deal.
Under the new forum, that information is packaged in a relatively concise, accessible manner. It's much easier to find out what information has already been provided and thus whether it's necessary to pose a new question, expand on a previous answer, etc.
Having said this, I understand that some folks have a problem with the process by which the new forum was launched. I respect that, but to me it's water under the bridge.
I also understand the old thread's advantage of instant notification. It wasn't important to me, but I can see how others can value it more. Which brings me to...
One of the biggest complaints about the thread was that people were subscribed to it, and anytime anyone posted ANYTHING that was not a new fare, the subscribers complained that they were getting needless notifications (I got yelled at for this myself on several occasions by subscribers).
Frankly, other than the notification issue, I don't see much wrong with the new forum. It could use a fare post format requirement and perhaps (just perhaps) some more aggressive merging.
Here's a thought: posters could agree to a convention where when they post a new fare thread they also voluntarily post the thread title (in a format proscribed by the mods) in the a sticky thread titled 'Notification thread' so that subscribers to that thread could get notification and then pop over to FlyerTalk and see what the fare is all about. There is more than one way to skin a cat. We could have our cake and eat it too. Insert more hoary cliches here.
Frankly, other than the notification issue, I don't see much wrong with the new forum. It could use a fare post format requirement and perhaps (just perhaps) some more aggressive merging.
Here's a thought: posters could agree to a convention where when they post a new fare thread they also voluntarily post the thread title (in a format proscribed by the mods) in the a sticky thread titled 'Notification thread' so that subscribers to that thread could get notification and then pop over to FlyerTalk and see what the fare is all about. There is more than one way to skin a cat. We could have our cake and eat it too. Insert more hoary cliches here.
While this approach is far from ideal, I don't think there's an ideal solution out there. This might be worth trying.
Nov 16, 2014, 9:19 am
#48
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
The Talk Board needs to come up with something better. If a member doesn't regularly follow the Talk Board forum, and the site-wide announcements aren't getting out before the voting concludes, maybe there should be a period of time that you can't vote so members can participate in the discussion. For instance, introduce a motion and require at least 5 days before the voting can commence so members can give feedback.
Nov 16, 2014, 10:29 am
#49
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,047
The Talk Board needs to come up with something better. If a member doesn't regularly follow the Talk Board forum, and the site-wide announcements aren't getting out before the voting concludes, maybe there should be a period of time that you can't vote so members can participate in the discussion. For instance, introduce a motion and require at least 5 days before the voting can commence so members can give feedback.
Nov 16, 2014, 11:07 am
#50
Moderator: Hilton Honors, Practical Travel Safety Issues & San Francisco
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: San Francisco CA
Programs: UA, Hilton, Priceline, AirBnB
Posts: 11,001
I totally agree.
The Talk Board needs to come up with something better. If a member doesn't regularly follow the Talk Board forum, and the site-wide announcements aren't getting out before the voting concludes, maybe there should be a period of time that you can't vote so members can participate in the discussion. For instance, introduce a motion and require at least 5 days before the voting can commence so members can give feedback.
Nov 16, 2014, 11:07 am
#51
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: CO one pass gold
Posts: 100
Premium Deals Forum
I'm not a poster, because I've never found a premium deal. But I have been a reader for some years.
I like the recently created forum. I find it much easier to read than the old one, which often had too much information for my purposes. We fly on our own dime, for visiting our family and as tourists, so to maintain our silver or gold status, we have to confine ourselves to Star Alliance flights (UA has good connections from Cleveland to San Diego and Miami, where our grandkids live) and I find it easier to pick out the Star Alliance flights in the new forum. In fact, I would like it even more if a logo showing the alliance was put in each posting, since I don't keep a list of all member airlines.
Since I don't post, I probably won't vote if this comes to a head, since I think the posters are doing the work, and should decide how and where to post.
I like the recently created forum. I find it much easier to read than the old one, which often had too much information for my purposes. We fly on our own dime, for visiting our family and as tourists, so to maintain our silver or gold status, we have to confine ourselves to Star Alliance flights (UA has good connections from Cleveland to San Diego and Miami, where our grandkids live) and I find it easier to pick out the Star Alliance flights in the new forum. In fact, I would like it even more if a logo showing the alliance was put in each posting, since I don't keep a list of all member airlines.
Since I don't post, I probably won't vote if this comes to a head, since I think the posters are doing the work, and should decide how and where to post.
Nov 16, 2014, 11:39 am
#52
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: OZ, Perth
Programs: QF QR Silver, DJ,TG,MH
Posts: 509
Are some FTer's so gluttonous that if they miss "one goodun", it's the end of the world.
I suspect we are not talking about Good Premium Deals, as in Sale Day. We are inferring to that once in while (as they do), this gem of a mistake fare will land.
We are a compulsively greedy mob, are we not ?
As long as I get in first ........
Nov 16, 2014, 12:45 pm
#53
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,233
Some history on the GDPT (Good Deal Premium Thread):
From 2006-2009 the single thread existed (*this is before my time on FT): http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...ium-fares.html
In 2010 the thread became an annual thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2010-a.html
2011: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2011-a.html
2012: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2012-a.html
2013: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2013-a.html
2014: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/premi...es-2014-a.html
Some of the metrics of those threads
2006-09: 4,000+ posts, 980k+ views
2010: 1300+ posts, 270k+ views
2011: 1900+ posts, 520K+ views
2012: 2400+ posts, 820K+ views
2013: 2300+ posts, 1.2 million views
2014: 3200+ posts, 1.5 million+ views (and the year was still not over).
*These numbers are not perfect (for numerous reasons) but hopefully they have demonstrated the growing popularity/interest in the thread.
What made the existing thread so popular in the MR deals forum? I my opinion:
1) It was the place to post and find “above average to great” airfares that book into premium cabins.
2) Instant notification would be sent out to members interested in the thread.
3) High signal (posted fares) and low noise (all other posts).
4) Ease of posting. Single posts only, no need to be concerned creating a thread with certain title guidelines.
5) Numerous fares that got posted were great Mileage Runs (the best ones certainly were).
6) The hard work of all actively participating FT members in the MR Deals Forum to post deals, help manage the thread with minimal posting, and cleaning up the thread when needed (for example: breaking out popular fares (mini-jumbos/jumbos) into there own thread).
The thread has effectively been killed with the creation of this new forum. This fact is unacceptable to me. At mod request, no new fares have been posted into the thread as of 10/25/2014: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23735837-post3272.html
If closing the new Forum brings back this very popular thread in the Mileage Run Deals forum, then I am for closure.
From 2006-2009 the single thread existed (*this is before my time on FT): http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...ium-fares.html
In 2010 the thread became an annual thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2010-a.html
2011: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2011-a.html
2012: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2012-a.html
2013: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2013-a.html
2014: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/premi...es-2014-a.html
Some of the metrics of those threads
2006-09: 4,000+ posts, 980k+ views
2010: 1300+ posts, 270k+ views
2011: 1900+ posts, 520K+ views
2012: 2400+ posts, 820K+ views
2013: 2300+ posts, 1.2 million views
2014: 3200+ posts, 1.5 million+ views (and the year was still not over).
*These numbers are not perfect (for numerous reasons) but hopefully they have demonstrated the growing popularity/interest in the thread.
What made the existing thread so popular in the MR deals forum? I my opinion:
1) It was the place to post and find “above average to great” airfares that book into premium cabins.
2) Instant notification would be sent out to members interested in the thread.
3) High signal (posted fares) and low noise (all other posts).
4) Ease of posting. Single posts only, no need to be concerned creating a thread with certain title guidelines.
5) Numerous fares that got posted were great Mileage Runs (the best ones certainly were).
6) The hard work of all actively participating FT members in the MR Deals Forum to post deals, help manage the thread with minimal posting, and cleaning up the thread when needed (for example: breaking out popular fares (mini-jumbos/jumbos) into there own thread).
The thread has effectively been killed with the creation of this new forum. This fact is unacceptable to me. At mod request, no new fares have been posted into the thread as of 10/25/2014: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23735837-post3272.html
If closing the new Forum brings back this very popular thread in the Mileage Run Deals forum, then I am for closure.
Nov 16, 2014, 12:54 pm
#54
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,422
But whose responsibility is it to alert the members of any particular forum? I've posted links before when I've seen a topic being discussed in the Talk Board forum that might be of interest to users in an individual forum, and I've seen other members do the same thing when OMNI changes were afoot, alerting members in that forum. I don't think FT has any rule spelling out "who" has to alert the members in a specific forum. In this case, you could have been the member to alert others in the existing thread when you saw the discussion here. There's just nothing in the rules that requires the forum moderators or Talk Board members to bear that responsibility. Any member can take on that task on and post the message. Maybe it's something the new Talk Board would want to create policy on.
Wasn't there a decision a few years ago that all Talk Board motions/votes-in-progress would display as a banner across all the forums of FT, much like the election banner I've seen this week (mine doesn't appear today but I have seen it a few times this week)? Did that banner not appear to alert all members they were considering a motion and voting on a new forum? Wouldn't that be adequate notice if it appeared?
edited to add: Here's the motion the Talk Board passed in 2011 requiring the notification across all forums:
Wasn't there a decision a few years ago that all Talk Board motions/votes-in-progress would display as a banner across all the forums of FT, much like the election banner I've seen this week (mine doesn't appear today but I have seen it a few times this week)? Did that banner not appear to alert all members they were considering a motion and voting on a new forum? Wouldn't that be adequate notice if it appeared?
edited to add: Here's the motion the Talk Board passed in 2011 requiring the notification across all forums:
Nov 16, 2014, 2:12 pm
#55
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
I agree with CokeAndTaco
The old thread provided a single place that one could check once or twice a day for any fares of noteworthy interest. It provided instant notifications of new messages. It allowed for the needed discussion or clarification of questions without getting cluttered (sometimes some clean-up). It minimized duplication of fares. It also made the fares visible to those who cared enough to keep up with the thread without waving red flags that might get fares closed down, and therefore encourage posting interesting fares.
The new forum isn't working.
The old thread provided a single place that one could check once or twice a day for any fares of noteworthy interest. It provided instant notifications of new messages. It allowed for the needed discussion or clarification of questions without getting cluttered (sometimes some clean-up). It minimized duplication of fares. It also made the fares visible to those who cared enough to keep up with the thread without waving red flags that might get fares closed down, and therefore encourage posting interesting fares.
The new forum isn't working.
Nov 16, 2014, 2:19 pm
#56
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Some history on the GDPT (Good Deal Premium Thread):
From 2006-2009 the single thread existed (*this is before my time on FT): http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...ium-fares.html
In 2010 the thread became an annual thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2010-a.html
2011: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2011-a.html
2012: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2012-a.html
2013: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2013-a.html
2014: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/premi...es-2014-a.html
Some of the metrics of those threads
2006-09: 4,000+ posts, 980k+ views
2010: 1300+ posts, 270k+ views
2011: 1900+ posts, 520K+ views
2012: 2400+ posts, 820K+ views
2013: 2300+ posts, 1.2 million views
2014: 3200+ posts, 1.5 million+ views (and the year was still not over).
*These numbers are not perfect (for numerous reasons) but hopefully they have demonstrated the growing popularity/interest in the thread.
What made the existing thread so popular in the MR deals forum? I my opinion:
1) It was the place to post and find “above average to great” airfares that book into premium cabins.
2) Instant notification would be sent out to members interested in the thread.
3) High signal (posted fares) and low noise (all other posts).
4) Ease of posting. Single posts only, no need to be concerned creating a thread with certain title guidelines.
5) Numerous fares that got posted were great Mileage Runs (the best ones certainly were).
6) The hard work of all actively participating FT members in the MR Deals Forum to post deals, help manage the thread with minimal posting, and cleaning up the thread when needed (for example: breaking out popular fares (mini-jumbos/jumbos) into there own thread).
The thread has effectively been killed with the creation of this new forum. This fact is unacceptable to me. At mod request, no new fares have been posted into the thread as of 10/25/2014: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23735837-post3272.html
If closing the new Forum brings back this very popular thread in the Mileage Run Deals forum, then I am for closure.
From 2006-2009 the single thread existed (*this is before my time on FT): http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...ium-fares.html
In 2010 the thread became an annual thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2010-a.html
2011: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2011-a.html
2012: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2012-a.html
2013: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2013-a.html
2014: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/premi...es-2014-a.html
Some of the metrics of those threads
2006-09: 4,000+ posts, 980k+ views
2010: 1300+ posts, 270k+ views
2011: 1900+ posts, 520K+ views
2012: 2400+ posts, 820K+ views
2013: 2300+ posts, 1.2 million views
2014: 3200+ posts, 1.5 million+ views (and the year was still not over).
*These numbers are not perfect (for numerous reasons) but hopefully they have demonstrated the growing popularity/interest in the thread.
What made the existing thread so popular in the MR deals forum? I my opinion:
1) It was the place to post and find “above average to great” airfares that book into premium cabins.
2) Instant notification would be sent out to members interested in the thread.
3) High signal (posted fares) and low noise (all other posts).
4) Ease of posting. Single posts only, no need to be concerned creating a thread with certain title guidelines.
5) Numerous fares that got posted were great Mileage Runs (the best ones certainly were).
6) The hard work of all actively participating FT members in the MR Deals Forum to post deals, help manage the thread with minimal posting, and cleaning up the thread when needed (for example: breaking out popular fares (mini-jumbos/jumbos) into there own thread).
The thread has effectively been killed with the creation of this new forum. This fact is unacceptable to me. At mod request, no new fares have been posted into the thread as of 10/25/2014: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23735837-post3272.html
If closing the new Forum brings back this very popular thread in the Mileage Run Deals forum, then I am for closure.
and +1 for the data points
Why kill something that was working so well?!?!
Nov 16, 2014, 2:24 pm
#57
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Maybe some of the new Talk Board members coming on board can come up with creative ideas on how to keep the membership updated on what they're doing in this forum, or how they're going to gather input from members who don't even know there is a Talk Board forum. I've had to explain to a number of members on one of our newer forums that moderators don't create forums or implement access restrictions. Some there seem to have no idea about the Talk Board's involvement in those types of issues.
Nov 16, 2014, 2:28 pm
#58
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,172
The Talk Board needs to come up with something better. If a member doesn't regularly follow the Talk Board forum, and the site-wide announcements aren't getting out before the voting concludes, maybe there should be a period of time that you can't vote so members can participate in the discussion. For instance, introduce a motion and require at least 5 days before the voting can commence so members can give feedback.
Setting a time limit before voting can begin is not optimal, but clearly TB needs a cool off period.
Nov 16, 2014, 2:41 pm
#59
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,607
Some history on the GDPT (Good Deal Premium Thread):
From 2006-2009 the single thread existed (*this is before my time on FT): http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...ium-fares.html
In 2010 the thread became an annual thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2010-a.html
2011: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2011-a.html
2012: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2012-a.html
2013: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2013-a.html
2014: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/premi...es-2014-a.html
Some of the metrics of those threads
2006-09: 4,000+ posts, 980k+ views
2010: 1300+ posts, 270k+ views
2011: 1900+ posts, 520K+ views
2012: 2400+ posts, 820K+ views
2013: 2300+ posts, 1.2 million views
2014: 3200+ posts, 1.5 million+ views (and the year was still not over).
*These numbers are not perfect (for numerous reasons) but hopefully they have demonstrated the growing popularity/interest in the thread.
What made the existing thread so popular in the MR deals forum? I my opinion:
1) It was the place to post and find “above average to great” airfares that book into premium cabins.
2) Instant notification would be sent out to members interested in the thread.
3) High signal (posted fares) and low noise (all other posts).
4) Ease of posting. Single posts only, no need to be concerned creating a thread with certain title guidelines.
5) Numerous fares that got posted were great Mileage Runs (the best ones certainly were).
6) The hard work of all actively participating FT members in the MR Deals Forum to post deals, help manage the thread with minimal posting, and cleaning up the thread when needed (for example: breaking out popular fares (mini-jumbos/jumbos) into there own thread).
The thread has effectively been killed with the creation of this new forum. This fact is unacceptable to me. At mod request, no new fares have been posted into the thread as of 10/25/2014: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23735837-post3272.html
If closing the new Forum brings back this very popular thread in the Mileage Run Deals forum, then I am for closure.
From 2006-2009 the single thread existed (*this is before my time on FT): http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...ium-fares.html
In 2010 the thread became an annual thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2010-a.html
2011: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2011-a.html
2012: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2012-a.html
2013: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...es-2013-a.html
2014: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/premi...es-2014-a.html
Some of the metrics of those threads
2006-09: 4,000+ posts, 980k+ views
2010: 1300+ posts, 270k+ views
2011: 1900+ posts, 520K+ views
2012: 2400+ posts, 820K+ views
2013: 2300+ posts, 1.2 million views
2014: 3200+ posts, 1.5 million+ views (and the year was still not over).
*These numbers are not perfect (for numerous reasons) but hopefully they have demonstrated the growing popularity/interest in the thread.
What made the existing thread so popular in the MR deals forum? I my opinion:
1) It was the place to post and find “above average to great” airfares that book into premium cabins.
2) Instant notification would be sent out to members interested in the thread.
3) High signal (posted fares) and low noise (all other posts).
4) Ease of posting. Single posts only, no need to be concerned creating a thread with certain title guidelines.
5) Numerous fares that got posted were great Mileage Runs (the best ones certainly were).
6) The hard work of all actively participating FT members in the MR Deals Forum to post deals, help manage the thread with minimal posting, and cleaning up the thread when needed (for example: breaking out popular fares (mini-jumbos/jumbos) into there own thread).
The thread has effectively been killed with the creation of this new forum. This fact is unacceptable to me. At mod request, no new fares have been posted into the thread as of 10/25/2014: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23735837-post3272.html
If closing the new Forum brings back this very popular thread in the Mileage Run Deals forum, then I am for closure.
Nov 16, 2014, 2:58 pm
#60
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
made the existing thread so popular in the MR deals forum? I my opinion:
1) It was the place to post and find “above average to great” airfares that book into premium cabins.
2) Instant notification would be sent out to members interested in the thread.
3) High signal (posted fares) and low noise (all other posts).
4) Ease of posting. Single posts only, no need to be concerned creating a thread with certain title guidelines.
5) Numerous fares that got posted were great Mileage Runs (the best ones certainly were).
6) The hard work of all actively participating FT members in the MR Deals Forum to post deals, help manage the thread with minimal posting, and cleaning up the thread when needed (for example: breaking out popular fares (mini-jumbos/jumbos) into there own thread).
1) It was the place to post and find “above average to great” airfares that book into premium cabins.
2) Instant notification would be sent out to members interested in the thread.
3) High signal (posted fares) and low noise (all other posts).
4) Ease of posting. Single posts only, no need to be concerned creating a thread with certain title guidelines.
5) Numerous fares that got posted were great Mileage Runs (the best ones certainly were).
6) The hard work of all actively participating FT members in the MR Deals Forum to post deals, help manage the thread with minimal posting, and cleaning up the thread when needed (for example: breaking out popular fares (mini-jumbos/jumbos) into there own thread).
Now however, I can check the forum and see in an instant if there is a fare I might be interested in by just scanning the titles.
I prefer the forum structure of the thread structure, with the caveat that thread titles MUST BE UNIFORM and mods must AGGRESSIVELY ENFORCE the rules.