Sharing info, (secret?) tips, was the genesis for Flyertalk.

Consider Flyertalk as an educational resource, a traveller's 'think tank'. We find posts such as "Pudding Guy's story", "Latin Pass", Ozstamp's recent RTW+>$1000, and many other tales to be inspirational.

Ozstamp, among many others, benefitted recently from MX's PVR deal and wanted to "pay it forward" with his insight into RTWs. Others disagree with this concept, and want to restrict info for fear of infiltrators.

If we discover travel opportunities, we share them first with our inner circles (family, friends, associates) and eventually post them on FT to enlighten and maybe inspire others to share their insights. If we hoard info, it eventually leaks out and ends up in the WSJ anyway; exposed in such a manner has appeared to be detrimental to FT as a community.

Flyertalk is at its best when we are inspired or we inspire others to optimize our travel experiences. Difficult task for any "list" to emulate.

[This message has been edited by anim8r (edited 08-07-2002).]