At the risk of sounding un-democratic, I'd probably respect the Freddies a lot more if a small, independent board of voters selected them.

We, the great unwashed masses of the traveling world, cannot handle the responsibility. We proved that pretty loud and clear this year.

I'm being serious: it's not that we're stupid, it's simply that we don't interact with all of the programs. There were...what...20 hotel programs listed and probably even more airline programs listed for most geographies? I'll admit it: when I vote, I'm completely and exclusively comparing SPG, MR, and HH. For airlines, I'm comparing UA, US, and AA. I'm totally ignorant of anything that, say, Kimpton Hotels or Alaskan Airlines does.

I know the "value vote" is intended to counter any advantage that a massive program has vs. a little one. But even that is a somewhat arbitrary number. How can I assess the value of a Marriott Travel Package on a scale of 1 to 10 if I have no idea what 15 of the other 20 programs would give me across that same number of stays/nights? I mean, I think it's a 9. Or is it an 8? You think it's a 10? Who's right? We both are? What was your methodology to determine it was a 10? Mine to determine it was a 9?

Instead, I'd rather see a board do the voting. That's how most prestigous award are done...sometimes it's a large board (e.g., the Heisman or the Oscars), sometimes it's a small one (Hall of Fame Veterans' Committee). But in any case, letting Joe Sixpack vote is usually a bad thing.

We simply can't handle it.