What I truly hoped to do was focus totally on jetsetter's very, very good and important question because it is one that often causes me to ponder.

I am currently in the process of preparing to teach a Frequent Flyer program at a national conference in Las Vegas next week, so this question has been resting especially heavily upon me this week. Most of the attendees will be marketing and trade show types for (usually but not always) larger companies. How much do I share with them? Do I simply give them the basics of the various types of programs and direct them to FlyerTalk, or do I share some really good secrets with them?

The same question often arises when I am posting on FlyerTalk. How much should I share?

While discretion is the better part of valor and a whole bunch of other stuff, I will most certainly share my best secret (posted above) with anyone, anywhere, anytime--a charming smile and attitude is still the best key to opening loopholes.