Years ago, the blog felt like it was a blog about a hobby. And you could learn a few new tricks. But I feel like there was a specific point several months ago when it started just credit cards, copying content from other blogs, TSA, and Bloomberg-style aviation business news.

I get it: Lucky travels and lives in hotels full time, so you won't be able to compete with him on that. Ric knows more about hotel programs, has more original content, and actually makes trips that others can follow - road trips through national parks, etc. He is also getting into the credit card business. The list goes on.

So what can you do? Well, you can "leverage your brand and scale to bring your business to financial maturity". The blog not only reads more like it's from a wannabe business consultant, It actually reads like it has received the advice from a business consultant.

I don't blame Gary. I would probably do the same thing. If you can make a living consulting, speaking at conferences, and going on TV, then by all means, good for you. On the other hand, it doesn't necessarily mean you actually know anything more about the subject. You can be clueless and be in a magazine; you can be clueless, and be a consultant.

Again, it makes perfect sense for Gary. I get it. But the charm is gone, it feels less authentic, it feels like being handled, it feels like an assembly line. It's hard to be an authentic product and be the size of Olive Garden or Procter & Gamble. (Lucky will find this out soon, too, I think. Some of his guest writers' posts are embarrassingly inaccurate and some are just useless - reviewing first class on a Delta CRJ? What?!)

Anyway, not that it matters what I think. I am sure Gary will be successful in this repositioning. But I, personally, I am not interested.