Here is a scenario.

Someone discovers ANYONE can make Exec. Platinum on AA for a few $100 and a few days of flying in Guatemala on some regional airline. All 100% legit, and you get the It'l upgrades etc and all the EP benefits once you are done. Half of FT would be at least INTERESTED to learn the details. I sure would.

These moderators have now posted saying that one would need to read the AA board to now learn about it. Or the Mileage Run board. I have never read either. Of COURSE such an amazing sleuth deal should be posted on The Buzz. If the moderator reads the Baht Pass there is a stream of FT'ers who have and still are flying to Thailand to get their 1K card and handful of Systemwide upgrades due to this weird but 100% legal loophole.

Even to get to Star Gold or Premier Executive, and double miles etc on UA requires only 6 days flying and $500 or less. DOUBLE MILES on United. For the next year. Isn't that a 100% perfect Miles Buzz topic? But no longer will we see those threads there it seems. Hmm.

What if in the past these folks had never flown UA? Would they have discovered the loophole? Almost certainly NOT as they would not have any reason to read the UA Forum. Isn't such a thread and idea a "BUZZ" ?????

Seems to me the effective banishment of the General Travel Talk forum to a quiet and not often visited corner of FT is why so much posting now takes place on Miles Buzz.