Friday, March 9@7 p.m.
Randy: Greetings all, sorry for the delay, had trouble logging on at home and had to break a few speed records to get to work!!!

Randy: Some very familiar names whom I owe my continued thanks to for your support of FlyerTalk...

Randy: So, what might any of you want to chat about tonight?

delta50: Who/what is Internet Brands?

Gleff: Just to be clear... this 'sale' thing we've heard so much about... the transaction has closed and we can't talk you out of it, right?

Empedocles: LOL

Mshaikun: Randy -- will FT remain free? Was that part of the deal?

Ewrfox: So is FT still going be the same FT/?

Randy: Internet Brands is a company located right at the LAX airport, which was formerly carsdirect.com in the dotcom days. They survived the bust and raised some money and put it to work forming portals of Web sites around topics such as cars and real estate and most recently travel.

Randy: Yes, the deal is closed and I tried to talk myself out of it many times

gfowler-ord-1k: Will the deal affect our invitations to the Freddies this year, and the future

Randy: FT will remain free. I have a very dedicated goal to keep FlyerTalk as near what I started as I personally can, which is why I’ll be directly involved over the next four years.

Ewrfox: So is OMNI going be around?

Randy: Tell you all what, if any thing changes regarding fees for accessing FlyerTalk - I will personally pay your fee, but I do know I really won't have to.

Mshaikun: I'm printing this one!

Randy: Actually, they really like OMNI and among the casual topics we had was making it open for all... needless to say, that was my first directive to the group - I will decide that and so will the TalkBoard. They understood it was the end of that conversation.

Ewrfox: I’m safe..

Empedocles: They LIKE OMNI?

Ewrfox: Who doesn’t?

Gleff: How does this affect your outstanding crew, Tim and Mikel? Will they stay with you at the House of Miles, or does I-B get them as part of the deal?

Mshaikun: What "improvements" should we expect in the next year or less?

Randy: Actually FT has nothing to do with my normal businesses and InsideFlyer sponsors the Freddies so I will continue year after year to try and feed you, ply you with alcohol and hopefully entertain you as well - nearly 450,000 votes this year.

Randy: Yes, they LOVE OMNI. Go figure... but then again, it really is popular.

Ewrfox: Yea I was wondering about that, will the Mods and TalkBoard members all stay or will there be someone new coming in?

Gleff: Speaking of the Freddies, believe it or not I just learned, searching through my spam folder, that I never confirmed my vote. My vote didn't count! I demand a re-...

Randy: Sorry if I miss anyone's question as this scrolls by. If so, just yell at me - I’m used to it by now.

Randy: Mods and TB are off limits to them and I continue to have very specific language in the term sheet that all current practices continue with their support.

Ewrfox: So there isn’t going to be a Men’s Only then... hehe

Mshaikun: So what new do we have to look forward to?

Randy: Ask gleff, as president of TalkBoard, any changes I know of will continue to come from our member-elected Board.

Mshaikun: Yo Gleff. Any plans?

Randy: IB will take at least a half year to get with what FT really is all about but it would take anyone that long - including sometimes our newest members!

Empedocles: Do you think the (eventual) surrender of control will be seamless/transparent//etc.?

obscure2k: I can assume less "downtime", better technology and fewer glitches in the search system. Moreover, Randy will have more time to dedicate to FT members.

Gleff: mshaikun, you tell me -- what would you LIKE to see?

Ewrfox: I like to see Omni open to all...

Mshaikun: Am pretty happy as things are. Improvements scare me. Have seen too many from delta and amex!

Ewrfox: but maybe that’s cause I’m the only omni here...

Randy: As well, a few members posted that we had done thing to spruce FlyerTalk up for sale and clamp down on things. Rather than listen to that drivel, I ask any for you to ask the TB (even Dovster) or any moderator and I think they'd tell you none of them knew anything until early this week and there have never been any instructions from me to change anything that was not already in practice on FT.

obscure2k: I am hopeful that RP will be able to answer questions in ORP in a more timely fashion now that he doesn't have to deal with so much tech stuff.

tom911: I actually agree with OMNI open to all....though you may need sub-forums with the growth that would occur

mshaikun: Opening OMNI and maybe some junk posts in travel forums would gravitate to OMNI.

Empedocles: I'd rather the waiting period for OMNI remain, my wife is registered on FT now...

Randy: As for surrendering control, honestly, most of the deal is based upon me staying over four years to make sure FT continues as is. I have some incentive to continue to work with you all and I can tell you, there is nothing in the deal that is based on revenues. Far less pressures that way and of course FT really is not that kind of Web site now.

Gleff: I can understand why growing OMNI would benefit IB -- page views, ad revenue. But I like to keep it closed somewhat, there used to be many more troll fake handles there than there are now, they'd usually pop up on the weekend.

Randy: There would be nothing better for me than to enjoy FT more as a member and hang out with you all, but the back end of this thing is very daunting and I don't envy having others deal with the mechanics of FT.

Randy: OMNI really is not a major or even minor topic for them. The news is that they have several other new travel Web sites and they are busy with them. As long as we stay the same, there's no reason for them to even come around....

tom911: From the technical side, though, you would expect a better FT experience?

Randy: I expect they have more expertise than we do in certain areas - they have nearly 400 employees and all are Web site based. I think we can get FT much faster. I was facing another three servers or so and that gets expensive, as I haven't paid off the other ones yet...

tom911: Will the site remain on your servers, and at some point move over to theirs?

Randy: On our servers for the time being as I have a large contract for bandwidth. I'd say that maybe 3-4 months from now they might take them over and move to their platforms, that really is part of an ongoing transition team function.

obscure2k: Welcome John McG!!

JohnMcG: Thanks...just checking out the chat and saying hi!

obscure2k: Appreciate your responses in ORP

JohnMcG: Will be writing to all the moderators shortly and hope to communicate regularly

Gleff: Welcome, JohnMcG.

Randy: Evening John and welcome to chat. I was just telling everyone how great Internet Brands is and I think they get the idea that I am a very happy guy to be working with you all.

GoingAway: Do you plan on participating in a forum similar to an ORP?

Randy: John is the General Manager for Travel for Internet Brands - a great skier and a super outdoorsman guy who goes hiking a lot.

Ewrfox: I think its time people get to enjoy OMNI in its all glory... Being open to all might make it pretty civilized and more fun... Instead of the daily politics threads, new users can really open it up to something new, than what we are used to on a daily basis

JohnMcG: Well, I think we're the happy ones...great site, great community, Randy and his team staying involved.

obscure2k: OJ.

obscure2k: Sorry, meant to say Only JohnMcG.

JohnMcG: I'm happy to communicate however is most helpful. Though we don't have a lot of news or answers yet.

Scoow: IB does not (as of this afternoon) include a link to FT on their homepage. Do you expect this to change in the near future? (Like maybe Monday?)

JohnMcG: We hope to be students first, and learn the ways of FT.

Randy: Right answer John!

obscure2k: Some nice mentors, here, John

JohnMcG: We will get that up at some point

tom911: Hopefully we'll see you at some FT events....all over the world and in the U.S.

JohnMcG: Yes, I plan to attend the Moderators Do 4/28 in Arlington

Randy: John, tonight we have with us, gleff, the member-elected president of the TalkBoard for FlyerTalk

obscure2k: Excellent!!

JohnMcG: Heck, since I'm buying the breakfast now, I guess I should enjoy the food.

obscure2k: More smoked salmon, please

JohnMcG:

Randy: tom911 is one of our most helpful members and obscure2k is our most charming and valuable moderators.

Ewrfox: What about me?

Ewrfox:

Randy: The fox is my personal bodyguard and confidant

Mshaikun: JohnMcG -- Hang around and you'll become addicted. Your travel costs might drop as well! You'll also learn that many of us can't type or spell.

tom911: John--are you a frequent flyer, or member of hotel programs, yourself? I know Randy belongs to a whole list of them, but do you have some personal experience in this realm?

Ewrfox:

Empedocles: I noticed John made his inaugural post on the AA forum.

JohnMcG: I love a bargain! Though I wish I had more time to travel than I do!

Randy: Very funny.... we purposely don't have spell checkers on FlyerTalk...

JohnMcG: Yes, AA since the mid-80s (remember triple miles?!) and UA almost as long

Empedocles: Hoo kneads spill chick?

JohnMcG: Yes, I’m old

obscure2k: I'm older

gleff: Around here we remember sextuple miles.. and that was just 2004.

tom911: Great...a fellow AA FTer

mshaikun: Spel checkers, which would take all the fun out of random typing

gleff: (paging gfowler)

ewrfox: I’m not old

JohnMcG: Yeah, AA Gold occasionally...not as often as I'd like

gfowler-ord-1k: you rang

Randy: Just in time, evening!

GoingAway: The support guys from HOM have been great .... would you mind sharing if they are remaining HOM employees or have transitioned to IB and also whether they are the long-term support for FT or does that transition over entirely to IB at some point? They've been great and I'd hate to lose their support and participation

Mshaikun: University of Louisville/ Pittsburgh game is just starting. Hope it doesn't go two overtimes.

Randy: They will stay associated with FT for some time and they remain on my payroll - I just could not think of ever losing them.

JohnMcG: Randy can answer as well. His team is continuing on for now. We'll take on some of the work at some point, but very slow orderly transition.

JohnMcG: I've been to the HOM a couple times...Randy has great people there!

Randy: I've got just as great members on FlyerTalk....

obscure2k: slow and orderly is reassuring

GoingAway: Thanks Randy and John.

Randy: then thanks is always to you and the others

JohnMcG: Yeah, obscure2k, if anything this whole transition is going to be non-newsworthy. That's the plan anyway.

GoingAway: John - can you discuss how your other sites are supported - do they have a dedicated team or is it a general support staff for all the sites you have?

ewrfox: John so do you guys offer some discounts to say Fellow FT members?

Randy: john, I'm pretty sure you are being set up now so I’ll let you answer!

empedocles: Yes! That's what we need, car discounts!

ewrfox: If we want to use one the Internet Brand services?

JohnMcG: Our sites have a mix of dedicated and shared support. Sales is by vertical (cruise, vacation rentals, etc.) Customer service is generally site-specific. Accounting and such are shared.

2Ruse: so john - what's in this for you? as u can see u have a built-in loyal base - how can we help u and get some perks etc in return?

JohnMcG: Well, as for discounts, all our sites are free to the users.

Randy: Good, good answer

JohnMcG: perks?

Randy: oh you know, I usually give out 10,000-mile bonuses to our evangelists every Christmas.

JohnMcG: We don't transact travel...we assist people in planning travel.

obscure2k: One good positive fallout is that I actually checked car prices on their car website instead of going to Edmunds. seems like a win-win

JohnMcG: We do sell cars.

JohnMcG: Not my area, thought

Randy: it's working already! the deal is successful. All with no changes at FlyerTalk, thanks O2K.

obscure2k: Most welcome, Randy!

JohnMcG: though (geez, now I’m mis-spelling!)

empedocles: I actually had no clue carsdirect still existed until this week...

gleff: Hmm... Perhaps we can leverage this, I'm thinking that since TalkBoard members are elected to two-year terms, each term can come with a new car lease.

empedocles: That would encourage me to run again, gleff.

Randy: you have my vote.

empedocles: I'm cutting and pasting that.

gleff: I grew up in the car business. We had a whole lot full of used Yugos...

obscure2k: Wouldn't mind getting out of my lease a little early

GoingAway: John - you mentioned attending the Mod Do, do you plan to attend the Freddies as well?

JohnMcG: Hoping to, but I'm already putting in about 70 hours a week here, so getting there by Thursday is just a maybe at this point. Would love to if I can!

obscure2k: Possibly, as an introduction; nothing more.

JohnMcG: What, no award for me?!

JohnMcG: Best newbie?

mshaikun: This chat sends loud sounds to my speakers. Every message is a click. A person leaving is a loud noise. Is that normal? Delta50's leaving woke me up.

gleff: So, I have a question. I am very reassured by Randy's comments that much of his interest in Internet Brands as a buyer for FlyerTalk is a desire to keep FlyerTalk as it is. And JohnMcG's presence here is reassuring as well. But I do wonder... the community of FlyerTalkers is both a boon and a nuisance to many giants in the travel industry. Randy has always supported members speaking their minds, no matter what the pressure. How will Internet Brands feel if a major corporation sends a legal letter about this or that discount being posted on FlyerTalk?

2Ruse: great question gleff!

obscure2k: For the next four years I would not anticipate a change. But, I'm not JohnMcG

JohnMcG: I'm not an attorney, so I can only answer from a business perspective. To shed some light, check out another of our sites, CruiseReviews.com. There are lots of user posts complaining about every aspect of various cruise liners. We post them all without censoring (except for profanity and such).

Randy: just like us....

ewrfox: can we do away with that...

Randy: what, the profanity or the censoring of profanity?!!!!

ewrfox: how about a free-for-all?

obscure2k: ewrfox?

Randy: must be speechless

FlyingOnceMore: How important was it to IB that FT is a worldwide community ?

Randy: another good question - John?

ewrfox: actually you know what I really like to see, I like to be able to open the chat and still surf FT on the same page

JohnMcG: Great question, and honestly it's too early for me to have a great perspective on that.

JohnMcG: We do have a growing international presence in our travel sites, and that will continue.

Randy: ewrfox - bigger monitor.... iMac with 24i inch screen!

JohnMcG: I'd put the question back to the leadership of the community...what do you think?

GoingAway: are your other communities of a similar size to FT? and as diverse a community geographically and by demographics?

gleff: With I-B hosting WikiTravel, do you see any changes to the FlyerTalk Wikis? (Were those sold, or just the bulletin board? I guess that's the first piece of the question.)

Randy: they lead, I follow, gleff?

gleff: In typical leader style, I think I missed the question. (Or as they say in my hometown, "I have no specific recollection of that, Senator.")

obscure2k: OT, is this discussion time-limited?

Randy: I’m in for a while, whatever the members would like

ewrfox: Can’t it be done on one screen? If I want to look at FT and still be in the chat without being closed, I have to open another IE window and its somewhat annoying

JohnMcG: Some of similar size, some smaller. Wikitravel and World66 even more may be at least as diverse geographically. And demographically for sure...seems that FT isn't as diverse as some sites...probably a skew toward higher income and education than some sites.

JohnMcG: gleff, as for the wikis, we're just digging in and haven't really discussed that much yet.

KosraeTV: What percentage of FT is international? I mean out of the hundreds of thousands of people who are signed up on FT what % is not a US mainland account? Just curious about the current demographics of FT. It seems to me we have every airport covered in the world.

gleff: Hmm, I'm flipping back and forth between chat and FT and have been for the past hour. Not sure what the modification would be to make the system easier to use?

JohnMcG: I hope I'm not sounding evasive...we're leaning on Randy and his team, and are just starting to come up to speed on some things.

gleff: KosraeTV, it really was an amazing thing, the dialogue between Dovster and BEYFlyer when Israel invaded Lebanon...

empedocles: Not in any official FT volunteer leader-type (not for lack of trying ), but I perceive the global reach of the community as one of the strengths of the forum. It actually seems easier to get just about anything answered here than in other similar forums.

Randy: I can't remember about the intl. mix but nearly 40% is international

KosraeTV: I agree with the Dovster comment.

JohnMcG: Our World66 site is 75% int'l. -- strong usage in Europe and elsewhere.

gleff: We do have it well covered, local knowledge on the ground from Beirut to the Mariana Islands...

JohnMcG: Wikitravel is in 15 languages, so that will become our most int'l. site.

KosraeTV: 40% international has to be pretty good no? And that doesn't count the amount of travel to strange locations that mainland people travel too.

obscure2k: John McG, very much appreciate your participation tonight. Now, this family is hungry and needs dinner. Look forward to seeing you in D.C. at ModDo

Randy: the thing about FT is not so much the intl. mix since this group is so transient. our reach of intl. is probably better than almost all.

ewrfox: Right now I’m on the FT chatlog.php page and if I click on anyone of the forums it closes... Is that how it is for all?

mshaikun: My favorite source of travel info is FT. TripAdvisor is second. Guess I'll have to check out some of John's sites. Hope we post links somewhere.

gleff: Certainly cross-promoting the wikis will be useful, the knowledgeable user base here would likely love in many cases to contribute to wikitravel to extent they become familiar with it. And newer members are likely to learn a great deal from it (since it's easier than using FleyrTalk's search function... )

GoingAway: ewrfox - just minimize that window and open a new for surfing

gfowler-ord-1k: ewrfx: yes. you need to have 2 windows or tabs

empedocles: Time for me to go, I have a cat wanting attention perched on my keyboard. I appreciate Randy and John's time in answering our questions. Adios.

JohnMcG: yes, we're fans of good cross-linking

KosraeTV: I can understand that World66 might have a higher % of overseas accounts but that is a mostly European site isn't it? I'm still learning IB here so correct me if I'm wrong.

mshaikun: John -- Thanks for stopping by. Randy -- appreciated your email. Best to us all. Gotta go. Louisville needs my help against Pitt. We are up by one.

ewrfox: since the chat is a popup window cant you make it possible to surf on one page? Instead of having 3 windows open, can it be just 2?

2Ruse: yes thanks randy for your time (and for all the great opportunities - I was 1 of the lucky ones who did the Concorde magazine deal a few years ago)

JohnMcG: World66 is strongly European, but as an English language site it has worldwide users.

gleff: Yes, thanks to Randy many folks got to fly the Concorde (and then in many cases BA first class return) for ~ $1k

gfowler-ord-1k: ewrfox: as a techie I can see how that would take quite a bit of work to implement

gleff: I understand he's still paying that one off -- maybe that's why he sold FT!

Randy: it was a very, very, very expensive lesson I learned!

2Ruse: you'd be in hock until the fourth or fifth millennium for sure

Randy: but anything I can do for FlyerTalk!

2Ruse: it was a dream come true for many of us

Randy: I’m glad you got to go. you know I bought 210 million miles that year!

2Ruse: whoa

GoingAway: that’s a lot of miles!

ewrfox: If you make the FT chat an IRC java chat it would only be 2 windows right?

jfe: Who's here?

Randy: you are!

jfe:

jfe: Nice job on the sale

jfe: Where's my cut

Randy: warming up for April Fool's day!

jfe: I am a fool everyday

Randy: we were just talking about that, since I’m still paying off the Concorde tickets from a few years ago - you owe me!

jfe: I could, I've wasted lots of bandwidth

jfe: So, you going to hand online more?

Randy: any more questions from our members?

gfowler-ord-1k: that is a lot of debt, 210M miles @ $.0125???, ouch

gleff: The other hidden gem, though, was the Diners Club offer you had matched with the 100% BA transfer bonus

GoingAway: thanks to both Randy and John for their time tonight ... and Congratulations to both of you, as well.

Randy: the cost of a mile was much more than that - that's what Citi pays. Heck, even hotels pay nearly 2 cents with tax these days.

2Ruse: yeah thanks randy and john

gfowler-ord-1k: thanks John and Randy, see you at the Freddies

Randy: thank you again and again!

Randy: plat = AA or CO or?

plat: starwood

Randy: you lucky one!

tom911: Good night, all. Thanks to Randy and John for stopping by.

FlyingOnceMore: OK Randy, spill the beans, been dreaming of any new toys

JohnMcG: Good night, all...looking forward to talking and meeting soon.

Randy: toys? I'm newly married didn't you know.....

gleff: If hotels really are paying close to 2 cents that further bolsters my theory that -- following on the award chart devaluations the chains have made for hotel night redemptions, we're going to see devaluations in airline mileage transfer rations. As points become less valuable for hotel stays, people will transfer to out miles more... and those transfers are MORE costly than the hotel redemptions were, even before the devaluation. So devaluation could increase rather than decrease a program's costs... unless they change their transfer ratios.

jfe: Quick question, what is going to happen to OMNI and SPAM, are they going to stay the same?

ewrfox: Yes

gleff: Good night, John. Appreciate your joining us for the evening!

ewrfox: that was my first question

jfe: Ah, as always I am the last one to know

Randy: you can figure out some of the costs, look at the tax you pay per bonus mile with the car rentals.

Randy: jfe: all things remain the same. they really don't want to change anything because it's a given this is a successful Web site the way it is.

Randy: evening missy

gleff: Evening, missy!

missydarlin: howdy

missydarlin: and what brings the boss into chat on a Friday night?

missydarlin: hi gary

jfe: There was a rumor that FT was sold, so Randy decided to clarify things

plat: looks like I missed the chat with John, anything interesting come out of it?

missydarlin: no tequila to sample? Sheesh

Randy: oh, I got lots of that, up to 143 bottles now!!!!

scoow: Randy - will any of this chat be posted? Could some of your & John's answers be added to your thread in ORP? Or perhaps a new 'transition Q&A' thread?

jfe: Dude

jfe: Cholula, how are you

Randy: you guys tell me. Do you think it would be of benefit to post these transcripts once I do the spell check?

missydarlin: so if a person wanted to re-apply to be a moderator in a couple of months... do they still go through you?

Cholula: Doing well. Thanks..

missydarlin: hi dave

Cholula: Hey Missy

Randy: I’m still your boss for at least 4 more years! sorry to have to break the news.

Cholula: Works for us, Randy.

Randy: where is my pizza?

Randy: I ordered it one hour ago.

Pizzaman: Chuckle, running late

missydarlin: hi inko

gfowler-ord-1k: yes, please post the transcripts since we are just a handful of the FT community

inkoherent: hello

Pizzaman: Oh, good, so I won't miss the earlier comments. Where will it be posted?

Randy: cool, will do that on Monday unless I can get the tech guys going earlier.

Stephen loves Starwood: I wouldn't mind reading the transcripts as well - Thanks

Dudleydog73: howdy all

missydarlin: it’s the weekend, let the tech guys have some time off!

Randy: I’ll provide a link from ORP and I will post up every transcript though I do not think IB will be on every one of them.

ewrfox: will there be new moderators say OMNI and if so where do I submit my application? Or will the mods be you and the head mods?

Randy: I know, I’ll break a server and that will get them running in!

Pizzaman: chuckle

jfe: OMNI mods, which will never work

ewrfox: it might work, say the mod is from the Omni rank..

Randy: I’ll probably stay as the Mod for OMNI, as noted prior, it's a place that can burn out others and I don't think that's fair. Besides, if we appoint a new mod in there they will want their own RV.

Pizzaman: I would think Mod for OMNI is more than a fulltime job, and a thankless one at that

jfe: indeed

jfe: Never got paid

ewrfox: ill be more than happy to work omni

ewrfox:

Dudleydog73: if I get a RV I would put my name in

Pizzaman: Been here 3 years, never stepped foot in OMNI

tkey75: I vote Greenery to mod ONMI

KosraeTV: Greenery ?????

tkey75: Hehe

Pizzaman: Who was on from IB?

2Ruse: john from IB

Pizzaman: I assume same John that posted in ORP, JohnMcG?

gleff: Yes, yes

tkey75: I heard he and Randy were here. That's why I stopped in.

skye1: probably no better place than FT chat to see what he's gotten himself into

Pizzaman: Too bad I missed, have to catch the transcripts

Stephen loves Starwood: Gleff, just reading over your comments regarding the hotel devaluations actually increasing the costs to the hotel programs and you are right that there will be increases in the transfer rations from hotel to airline programs - my only thinking is that airlines are better set up to have 'award sales' so people will not scream as much .

ewrfox: the RV is only reserved for Randy's closest Omni pals... It’s a special group..

Pizzaman: chuckle, yes. A pretty solid indoctrination

tkey75: Truth be told, I've never logged in when other people are here - in almost two years.

jfe: OK, Canarsie is here, let's all leave now

Cholula: Except for mod chats on occasion, I've never been here either.

Dudleydog73: a special group eh?

Canarsie: Story of my life, jfe

Randy: well, we're not that special!

Pizzaman: Speak for yourself

tkey75: I've been here, Cholula - it's just been a one sided conversation - with myself

jfe: Me, too, the voices won't stop

missydarlin: HEY! **I** am special

Dudleydog73: its not a little yellow RV is it?

Stephen loves Starwood: I'm thinking out loud here, but with all these point programs dieing out wouldn't it be nice if FlyerTalk had a points program - say one point for every WORTHWHILE post which you can then transfer for free flights

tkey75: We're all a little special, aren’t' we?

missydarlin: not sure about the rest of you peeps though

Cholula: Problem is I can't type fast enough for chat. It's strictly hunt and peck with me.

Pizzaman: Stephen, that only works if we get to take away for any stupid posts

Stephen loves Starwood: So, like two points lost for a stupid post ??

tkey75: Me, I just kind of mash the keyboard and let the typos fly. It's a little harder with Canarsie breathing down our necks, though.

Pizzaman: Any points harvested as the result of stupid posts would be deposited into a larger account for disbursement to clueful members

Randy: sounds like a replacement for reputation?

ewrfox: Some get the honor of taking a road trip with Randy.. lucky b(stards

gleff: Or maybe a loyalty program a la e-miles for watching ads in the posts, sort of the reverse of FT Premium?

Canarsie: Okay - did I miss the serious portion of the chat, or is this it?

Randy: hey, the RV trips are great. It was just a problem when parnel was with me and the toilet overflowed!

jfe: Great idea, let's bring reputation back. ^^.

Pizzaman: Heh, silly me is an InsideFlyer subscriber, but didn't know about FT Premium until the ORP IB thread

tkey75: Hey - I like e-miles. A few of their little ads have been pretty decent

missydarlin: you missed it Brian

Stephen loves Starwood: I hope I am up one mile and not down two now

missydarlin: we still have the option of Premium FT right?

jfe: All hell broke when I showed up

Canarsie: I came to discuss the weighted average cost of capital pertaining to FlyerTalk and the results of its regression statistics

Dudleydog73: indeed

tkey75: Can you dumb it down a bit, Canarsie?

scoow: NOW your talking...

Randy: yes, I got that into the deal for no changes right away and they actually think it is a very clever idea.

Randy: FT Premium that is

Randy: is that regressive or aggressive?

Pizzaman: Right, but they don't own Inside Flyer, so is there still a connection between magazine sub and FT Premium?

Cholula: FT Premium is the best thing since sliced bread IMHO.

ewrfox: what does FT premium offer?

Stephen loves Starwood: Are there thoughts to add benefits or whatever to FT Premium?

Canarsie: No, regression - which describes some FlyerTalk members.

gleff: Maybe you should offer FT Ultra-Premium in order to access OMNI...

jfe: Well, guys, it has been fun, but I need my beauty sleep, so I must hibernate for 30 years now. Randy, you are more than welcome for ELP DO 3, whenever it happens again, too bad you missed the first one.

Randy: We still own 100 % of InsideFlyer and will do right by all of you if there ever was a change I did not control.

missydarlin: I can think of some other ways to describe some FlyerTalk members

Canarsie: Will there be transcripts of the chat?...

Canarsie: ...the serious portions, anyway.

Pizzaman: Yeah, Randy said probably by Monday

missydarlin: Yes

missydarlin: You missed that part too brian

Cholula: FT Premium is embarrassingly cost effective for FT members so I don't see how add'l bennies can be squeezed into the equation.

Dudleydog73: When the IT slaves get whipped into shape

Randy: Yes, I’ll post up maybe this weekend for everyone. will be listed in the announcement and in ORP

Canarsie: Thank you, Randy.

Pizzaman: Speaking of e-miles, I'm almost to my first 500. Thanks, Randy!

gleff: I know there are technological solutions to avoid the ads, but $1 a month is sooooo worth it.

tkey75: Yeah, thanks, Randy

daph: I agree!

Pizzaman: In fact, just earned 5 miles and got a 20% off Borders coupon

Randy: Glad that e-miles works. I know some of our members were hesitant at first but I know the folks there real well and have some influence.

Canarsie: Was there a good turnout here tonight?

tkey75: I'm up to almost 500 e-miles, too. I've considered taking up Enterprise on the 20% off offer I got from them. Too bad I hate Enterprise.

Pizzaman: Huh, why would someone be hesitant? Maybe you might not think it's worth your time, but if you're trying to keep an account alive, I think it's a great idea

Dudleydog73: Hasta luego folks

Cholula: E-miles keep the account topped off and active for us retirees.

Pizzaman: Keeping my UA account afloat

Canarsie: Wow - I know how to clear a room...

Randy: You should have seen it before!

Cholula: Canarsie's here???

Stephen loves Starwood: I guess I'm thinking that for additional benefits the costs can also increase - but since Randy doesn't need the money anymore maybe it's not a thought in process anyway.

tkey75: What happened, Cholula - fall asleep at the keyboard?

Gleff: Best way to keep an account afloat is to be a Starwood Platinum, which allows transfers of a single point... I've been known to do 1 points transfers out of SPG

Cholula: I was distracted. Sorry.

Pizzaman: Really? Another gleffism I can take to the bank

Pizzaman: Never knew you could do that

Stephen loves Starwood: Ya, great idea. SPG does have its benefits

Canarsie: ...I think I will go catch up on some FlyerTalk threads. I really had no real questions about Internet Brands acquiring FlyerTalk, as I already had asked most of them on a separate occasion. I do think it is funny how people confuse Internet Brands with the parent company of Twinkies and Wonder Bread...

Pizzaman: And yet people keep saying the program is dead after the recent deval

Gleff: Airline transfers are still amazing with SPG. 1:2 with LanChile, 60k SPG -> 150k LanChile. And check out LanChile's oneworld RTW awards...

tkey75: That's Interstate. Supposedly a guy is a two-year study into the inner workings of a Twinkie. Very interesting what he came up with.

Cholula: Got too much invested in Marriott Rewards to change horses in midstream. Plus Bill made me lifetime Platinum a couple years ago and I kind of owe him something.

Stephen loves Starwood: Well changed for sure but I don't think dead - Anyway look at what's happening over at Marriott (and with no warning)

gfowler-ord-1k: I don't think SPG will be winning any Freddies (again) this year

gleff: They've really been pushing the Freddie’s, too. They want it BAD.

Missydarlin: Who wants it bad.. Marriott or SPG

Randy: well all, hope it's OK to scoot, got the bride ringing on the BatPhone. I hope you are all getting comfortable with this and if you do have questions, any questions don't hesitate to contact me. IB is a pretty good bunch and I do plan on keeping FT the same - or better!!! Evening....

Gleff: SPG

Missydarlin: Night Randy

Canarsie: Why is the banned Delta logo here? Where is the original Delta widget?

Canarsie: Bye all

Missydarlin: Well they pretty much got owned last year

Gleff: G'devening, Randy, and thanks - as always

Cholula: Take care, Randy.

Randy: Cheers.