[QUOTE]So in this regard, NZ as a business has been pretty smart giving the mass market what they want - but the mass market is quite stupid.[QUOTE]

The fact that the mass market doesn't give a monkeys about the intracasies of earn and burn ratios does not make them stupid. If they can earn a free domestic flight or even a TT flight they are happy. Less than 50% of domestic and TT travellers are likely to take a longhaul flight so why should they worry about it.For many their AP$ are not earnt flying but just on Credit card spend and the flights are a bonus.If the earn /burn ratio excites you thats fine but don't assume everyone else has to share your entusiasm.

ZK-BEU