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Thread: Ethics of hoarding points for free?
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Old Jan 4, 2010 | 12:18 pm
  #4  
Aitchly
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Join Date: Jul 2009
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Originally Posted by veggie_lover
Over the past few years I and my family have accumulated $35k worth of points for free. I have also redeemed them for travel worth around $15k. It is incredible to receive so much for free. I have some scruples now about doing this. Is this ethical?

I see it as the cost of doing business for large companies. Also in a way you are capitalizing off the stupidity of average Joe's. The average Joe signs up for the credit card and only accumulates debt. Thereby their loss is your gain.
Send it to the Ethicist.

Yes, you are capitalizing on Average Joes, but how is this different from any other advertising campaign?

You could ameliorate your guilt by spreading the word about good money sense. Of course, that would put these companies out of business and there wouldn't be sign-up bonuses anymore.
Last edited by Aitchly; Jan 4, 2010 at 12:20 pm Reason: added Junior Achievement link
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