He might even have been more successful overall, had he not plagiarised others' reports and photos, because now there is the equally loud voice talking him down for it.

I would be absolutely aghast if one of my trip reports (when I used to write them) ever became this famous. But clearly he wanted the attention, and he got it.

On the flipside, the combined retail value of all the premium award flying in the last 8 or so years would easily buy a house by now. In London. I know of several people on here who could have bought a small nation on the same basis.

$23k? Amateurs