consider bootlegging booze in the 1930s or 1920s. That's what miles are in a way today.
I figure we are just a bunch of rum runners who happen to have the skinny on the best route from Canada or something. We FTers know more than Tom, Dick and Harry, and for that, there is a cost.
The entire miles racket is not only not free, but often involves as much pain, suffering and gunslinging and glory as was enjoyed or endured by guys and gals with names like Sal and Mugsy back in the day, see?
(They even talked funny and had a tooth pick in their mouth and were wearing sharp pin stripe suits and pointy hats)
Miles crap is a racket. A racket that knows no tax (that's good so far) and has no accountability except by those who run the show, see? Them are the big majors, see, and they are gonna win this game unless we beat 'em to it, mac, and that's that!
But there IS a cost and these airlines should know it. I intend to tell 'em what for...
Their CSRs should know what we go thru and whenever one tells me I am lucky to have a free ticket, I'm liable to smack 'em one, see?...
Why I oughta... (think: Moe, Curly, Shemp, Larry...)
Anyway, if you add up time on the internet and phone, mail-ins, waiting., frustration when things dont post my favorite gripe), sign ups and buying things from partners (the corrupt part1) and wishy-washy award levels and availablity when you actually need to redeem them, then you can clearly see what I mean.
Credit cards, interest rates, rebates, tax payments, blood donations, dining, cars, hotels, surveys... It goes on indeed. All are costs.
We didnt start the fire.
Even the money order or gift card gigs had a cost. And so does our collective and shared knowledge on these subjects, which, if someone wanted to learn it, they might pay good money to ramp up more quickly and get sum for themselves. (As some know, I found that out, by the way, but that was then).
So screw 'em if they think it's free, buster! It aint, I tell ya! It just aint!
Now that we're talking about the roaring 20's, can Boston have Babe Ruth back?
MM gangsta
GO Red Sox!