I sell a lot on eBay and play the FF game at gold or plat level annually and would have to say that this looks like a real turkey. Mightn't they have avoided it by having Randy consult on it and listening to him?

Lots of people will be confused and disappointed by the conversion rates (13,889 Aadvantage miles for 10K anything points? 20,202 (!!) Midwest miles? And HHonors points might as well be redeemed for AOL trial discs!)

At less than a penny per airline mile, it's subpar compared to redeeming for things like gift certificates through Amtrak Guest Rewards, or to Membership Rewards.

It'll also be an administrative mess that could fall down on customer service. I don't know if eBay will try to do anything in-house, but given how they hate to do business over the phone, they're in for a rude awakening with a program that'll create situations that people will want to talk to a person over the phone to untangle (eBay wants to know everything about YOU but doesn't want you to even find out a phone number for THEM).

What they really need to do is give out points for every dollar spent on eBay and PayPal fees! But it'll take meaningful competition to pressure them into that.


[This message has been edited by RustyC (edited 05-15-2003).]