Hopefully we can pick up where this left off...Nick, let me assure you that we are not burdened by many illusions here at InsideFlyer. We know what we are as well as anyone else does. Our first goal is finding information. Reporting. Advocacy has a different agenda, and as I said, I'd like to see us do more of it.

As reporters, of course we "deal with" the programs. We have contacts, they give us information. This makes us prone to all of the same conflicts of interest that are present in the "mainstream" press, from White House reporters on down. We have to honor the wishes of our contacts at times that we'd rather not, or risk losing their trust. It would benefit consumers to have that info earlier. So we're not advocates in that sense. But, of course, if we are able to get that info out SOME TIME before it would ordinarily be posted, and not lose the source by doig so, then we are doing something that's beneficial for consumers. As an example, Diners told me in February that they they WILL be doing their BA deal again this summer. There still hasn't been any official announcement, but I've passed the info along.

I hope it happens.