Originally Posted by
pinniped
I think of them as kickbacks.
If I'm negotiating a contract for my company and a vendor slides me a duffel bag with a 10% cash bonus under the table, that's considered unethical and likely illegal.
FF miles and hotel points aren't much different. I agree to consolidate my business travel with one vendor, and I get a nice personal kickback for doing so. It doesn't matter whether another vendor has a cheaper flight or room. Once I'm on the "status train", I'm not getting off.
The use of FF programs as described by pinniped above does have some ethical issues. But regarding "taking advantage of the Average Joe" because he is enticed by the offer of miles but doesn't successfully exploit the opportunity is not an ethical problem, as far as I can tell. Joe would not benefit, as far as I can see, if you did not exploit the miles opportunity, and he does not suffer more because you do use the miles. As far as I can tell. Someone else may be able to enlighten me...