When new offers pour in by the handfuls from every major credit card company, how many people join the ranks of FF award hunters? It seems like the ranks are swelling-- new 70K offer from Delta; 75K from Amex PRG here and there; 100K Avios... blogs with readerships that increase 1000 readers a month (MMS subscriber data). Now, the AA search engine shows so many more awards on partner airlines, it seems like even the most amateur miles hunter can nab an award.

So, my questions are: Are the airlines increasing the number of award seats in response to all the new offers/new members? Since airline programs are clearly a very desirable perk for nearly every credit card holder, it seems that they might offer up a few more bones to keep the customers coming back. OR-- do most people just sign up for a card, use it here and there, maybe get one trip under their belt after a year or two of casual spending, and fade away after the yearly fees start to dim their enthusiasm? (that's the demographic of many people that I know)

Also, just for speculation's sake... how many new card members do you think sign up during the hot promos? Any clues?