Not only do I disagree for the general public (who, by and large, has no clue and does not read the little ads in inflight magazines), but I don't even think we FT'ers know the rules. Look at Coupon Connection: at least half of the proposed sales on the front page violate the T&C's of the airlines or hotels. (I know hotels don't actually pursue violators like a few airlines do, but that's not the point.) How 'bout that one offering 90,000 miles in one program for 70,000 in another? How 'bout those systemwides: the guy wants to hawk the certs, but doesn't want them to be resold on eBay. Why does he care? Probably because that airline lurks eBay and will be on his case if his SWU winds up there.

Since I know the host of this board doesn't knowingly want to violate the rules of the programs, that leads me to believe that the people here trading SWU's, miles, certificates, free nights, etc. don't really know what is allowed and what isn't. Or the moderators don't know the rules. Every single one of those certificates has the same language on the back about bartering/selling - deep within the fine print. (Even my innocent 2-for-1 dinner certs for Marriott have it.)

I'm not saying that Coupon Connection is wrong. I think we should all be allowed to barter at will without fear that the airline will hold us in breach of contract. The guy who gave me his old CD's can't be sued by Sony. (I know what you're thinking, but it was 10 years pre-Napster.) I'm just saying that there is a lot of confusion out there as to what the airlines/hotels absolutely will try to stop you from doing, what they frown on, and what they are totally okay with.