my two cents worth is that the marketing ploy is allowed to go on for a reason ... which is to bring more people to try ICs as an RA ... and get them hooked, and perhaps gain more loyal clients.

as for myself, i am just a lowly gold amb only and only stay @ ICs where they are available, as such, have not managed to gain RA.

bottom line, its all about more business for them, and not to discriminate RAs.