Really? As a reader, it helps me evaluate the independence and credibility of the sources -- the same way it is important in print journalism whether an article is written by a outside contributor, a staff writer, the editorial board, or the marketing apartment. It's also important with BA because so many of its writers have no real qualifications or expertise.

The issue of standards isn't about obtaining credit card links (though affiliating with BA likely increases one's ability to get affiliate links, directly or indirectly). It's about (1) standards of quality, given how frequently some of the newer BA blogs say things that are either demonstrably false or misguided, (2) disclosure standards for when credit cards or other products are being sold, (3) disclosure standards when bloggers are given freebies or better treatment from travel providers.

At this point, Randy and Boarding Area are "experts" in credit card marketing. Most of the newer bloggers are not, and have no understanding of the ethical and legal issues implicated by their marketing practices.