I see I have a reputation around here !

I appreciate premex2000's comment and many of the responses.

DHacker makes a good point regarding where to draw the line and I think different people will of course draw the line in different places. There are important distinctions, however. For example, some ideas are fraud or plain stealing, while others are, in my mind, overworking a legally legitimate 'loophole' that will dilute benefits and/or cause program changes.

The former I abhor unconditionally.

The latter I fear, when combined with the power of the internet to spread information, will cause great harm because there are people who come to FT and take whatever ideas are tossed about here and carry them to extremes (I consider millions of Goldpoints for buying thousands of magazines extreme and harmful but not illegal).

Therein lies the rub. FT is about sharing ideas for maximizing participation. We all want to do well with the programs. However, without some form of self limitation, at least by most, I believe the programs will be damaged.

Then of course there is the issue of fairness, one that is by definition personal. I find some of the technically legal 'attacks' on promotions and programs unfair. They don't pass my 'pillow test' that is, when I lay my head down on the pillow at the end of the day will I rest easy knowing what I did was fair.

On top of this, I am dismayed by the arrogant and grasping nature of some participants... they hack off a huge chunk of flesh, and before things even have time to run their course they're howling bloody murder about how poorly they are being treated, faxing CEOs, and so on. That is ungracious in the extreme. It's a total laugh these people consider themselves good customers... they only came calling because they knew they could screw the business they were dealing with, then they want to be thanked for it!

Taken as a whole I believe the dynamic is one that threatens to the reasonable and fair person, the person who is a customer for more than simply to gouge out some points.

It has been heartening of late to see some of the more ridiculous and purely fraudulent schemes shouted down (and without my help!)

The larger challenge/issue is whether as community, in overall balance, we interact fairly with the businesses that offer us perks for our business so that we both can prosper.