Joe is one of my favorite reporters.
He is often factual on a number of topics and not afraid to speak his mind right or wrong.
So many reporters are fearful of what they say.
Joe doesn't hold back ^
While I don't always agree with what he has to say I have enormous admiration for him and his contributions to Inside Flyer over the years.
Love em or hate em Joe has much to say and I certainly like to read whatever he writes.
Even when I don't agree I find him to be one of the most entertaining guys out there like Alan Richman the food critic.

If Virgin America launches here in the US as planned programs may have a reason to be more generous to their customers.
They will need them more then ever before as they flock to Jet Blue and the new guy on the block.Joe brings up something that many of us already know which is the migration from earning in primarily airline programs and shifting much of that over to the hotel programs.
I have been actively seeking this course over the past year or two and will continue to do so until I see an improvement in airline programs seat redemption and more financial stability.
I have millions parked in a variety of global airlines and while I still add on a daily basis the shift is already in place as I pursue hotel programs primarily.
In fact this year I plan to put the largest effort effort to avoiding the airline programs except where it makes obvious sense.

I dumped Continental in the mid 90s long before it became fashionable to beat on them and wisely left the program.I used to chuckle as it won Freddies for some time.I was convinced those that voted one day would wake up and smell the roses and eventually they did.
If there was an award for stinginess IMO they would be a top contender each and every year.
Happy Holidays all
Cheers