PG-
You have simply added another question to the TRANSPARENCY issue.
* WHY don't airline and hotel programs better control their access to earning miles/points?
I don't think its instructive to blame idine or Inside Flyer or ozstamps, etc. for their ingenuity or resourcefullness, when the programs are in fact COMPLICIT in approving these promotions.
Further, such promotions are utilized by a miniscule number of people; they are not the blame for program changes or lack of access to awards.