There currently is a disscussion over in travel buzz about whether the use of discount codes by members outside of the group constitutes a crime. Based on the discussion there and my own legal knowledge and education this is most likely fraud.

Now I have noticed that there are times in various fori where posters will post a discount code that they have had good luck using to obtain a discount for various services. One that comes to mind is the thread in the Avis forum about the various AWD codes that people have used. Many of these codes are/were never intended to be used by the general public or large numbers of people. However, others were intended to be used by the public for example fund raising purposes. Further the publication of these codes, could in some states, constitute assisting in the crime of fraud, or render FT liable for civil damages for allowing these codes to be posted.

Thus I would like to propose a rule to both protect the FT community and promote the proper sharing of discount codes where appropriate. This is much like our rules in the TOS regarding copyrighted material.

When posting a discount code on FT for the purposes of sharing the code number with members of the FT community we ask that you follow the following guidelines. 1. State the organization to whom the code is associated with. 2. State how you obtained the code (email, friend, company travel desk, etc.) 3. State who is authorized to use the code (Company employees, family members, business use only, personal use only, etc).

I think a rule like the above would promote the sharing of codes, while limiting any exposure to FT for the misuse of the codes.

This is just a thought.