What is the most useful frequent flyer blog?
#1006
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: 787
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 1,306
Its a freaking link farm with chase and amex ref codes at this point. He used to have some good information but not its "hey, must have credit cards for you" and "Update on my application for cards that are good for you". Jebus
#1007
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: LOL, ROFL & ...
Posts: 37
I unsubscribed from Darius' Million Mile Secrets when he added referral links.
Why?
Very simple. Before he added referral links he righteously promoted the fact he did not include referral links and overtly hinted that those who do should be ashamed. I saw the writing on the wall, and sure enough, he changed his tune.
I don't regret the decision, especially after finding out he stuck another knife in the coffin of a debit card / money order earning opportunity.
There are plenty of other blogs with new an unique content, and his sure isn't one of them.
Also, I couldn't take the ridiculous bow tie photo any longer. It reminded me too much of Matthew Lesko (the guy in the question mark suit with a bow tie unscrupulously selling "Free Money" books)
Why?
Very simple. Before he added referral links he righteously promoted the fact he did not include referral links and overtly hinted that those who do should be ashamed. I saw the writing on the wall, and sure enough, he changed his tune.
I don't regret the decision, especially after finding out he stuck another knife in the coffin of a debit card / money order earning opportunity.
There are plenty of other blogs with new an unique content, and his sure isn't one of them.
Also, I couldn't take the ridiculous bow tie photo any longer. It reminded me too much of Matthew Lesko (the guy in the question mark suit with a bow tie unscrupulously selling "Free Money" books)
Last edited by ftizzy; Aug 22, 2012 at 9:17 am Reason: added bow tie complaint
#1008
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
I think it's unreasonable to critique based on a bow tie and consider this more of a personal attack than constructive criticism
I think to Daraius' credit he does the best job of at least trying to give honest card reviews and show alternative better offers. I don't think having credit card referrals is bad - as long as it doesn't become one long pimp show.
I think there are other blogs out there and we all know who they are that have basically become shill advertising for Chase and Amex and other products. I don't think MMS is at this level
I think to Daraius' credit he does the best job of at least trying to give honest card reviews and show alternative better offers. I don't think having credit card referrals is bad - as long as it doesn't become one long pimp show.
I think there are other blogs out there and we all know who they are that have basically become shill advertising for Chase and Amex and other products. I don't think MMS is at this level
#1009
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 359
I'll bookmark as original, well thought out content.
#1010
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 24
FWIW, I've met and spent a fair amount of time w/ Lesko one day, he was really pretty nice and reasonable. Offered to mail me a copy of his book (which I did not take him up on).
#1011
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: LOL, ROFL & ...
Posts: 37
I think it's unreasonable to critique based on a bow tie and consider this more of a personal attack than constructive criticism
I think to Daraius' credit he does the best job of at least trying to give honest card reviews and show alternative better offers. I don't think having credit card referrals is bad - as long as it doesn't become one long pimp show.
I think there are other blogs out there and we all know who they are that have basically become shill advertising for Chase and Amex and other products. I don't think MMS is at this level
I think to Daraius' credit he does the best job of at least trying to give honest card reviews and show alternative better offers. I don't think having credit card referrals is bad - as long as it doesn't become one long pimp show.
I think there are other blogs out there and we all know who they are that have basically become shill advertising for Chase and Amex and other products. I don't think MMS is at this level
But to take your bait, lets use some constructive criticism. He should remove the photo, or replace the bow tie with a necktie. That better?
#1012
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Posts: 1,887
Lol, what a circus today with the new SP offer ending. Can't wait for the announcements of the new offer. This is almost as good as the British Airways 100K ending, last chance, wait it's not ending for another month, ok now it's ending, this is you last chance, really it's your last chance, etc.
#1013
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 359
This does makes me laugh because back in the day, when a supervisor would go on a rant about an employee ("and..and..and...and") I often would wait until s/he paused for a breath and then very seriously ask "and does his mother dress him funny too?" At that point we would then focus on the one or maybe two major issues about the employee's behavior that needed to change.
#1014
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 267
I myself have been in a position that I was helped by MM with obtaining the 2 browser AA cards. I was denied one of them and he gave me the name of an upper mgnt that approved the card instantly. Yes that is the same dreaded MM that gave out the WM Mo deal.
#1015
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 9,981
I really don't get the "you don't like what they say so don't read them" mentality.
As in politics, science, or any area, reading that which you don't agree with is very important. Maybe it's less important here, but if it's part of your world, it pays to be knowledgeable about it.
Further, no one I've seen complains they are "forced" to read these blogs. Why do we need to remind people that they can just not read something? It's really not pertinent to this discussion and it misses the point entirely.
The real issue many posters here take with these blogs is that they are publicizing issues and deals. Can we make that distinction, and stop with the "so stop reading these blogs" comments?
As in politics, science, or any area, reading that which you don't agree with is very important. Maybe it's less important here, but if it's part of your world, it pays to be knowledgeable about it.
Further, no one I've seen complains they are "forced" to read these blogs. Why do we need to remind people that they can just not read something? It's really not pertinent to this discussion and it misses the point entirely.
The real issue many posters here take with these blogs is that they are publicizing issues and deals. Can we make that distinction, and stop with the "so stop reading these blogs" comments?
#1017
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: 787
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 1,306
That is the funny thing about these posters. It is like Howard Stern-people call all the time and say how much they hate him but they still listen day after day. Posters here will say they no longer read blogs or they quit this blogger or that blogger only to later quote them word for word of what they wrote recently. I myself do think that bloggers can give a little too much info out at times but then it is a service oriented business that requires them to give out info that their readers can use.
I myself have been in a position that I was helped by MM with obtaining the 2 browser AA cards. I was denied one of them and he gave me the name of an upper mgnt that approved the card instantly. Yes that is the same dreaded MM that gave out the WM Mo deal.
I myself have been in a position that I was helped by MM with obtaining the 2 browser AA cards. I was denied one of them and he gave me the name of an upper mgnt that approved the card instantly. Yes that is the same dreaded MM that gave out the WM Mo deal.
#1018
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
Programs: AA, BA, UA, Spirit, Delta, PC Plat, SPG Gold, HHonors Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,735
Can you point me towards some form of documentation that says this is not true, and that I am misinformed?
If this was in fact the FTC rule, why on earth would any for profit blog post "advertisement" or "sponsored" on every post that is being paid for by a sponsor? Why wouldn't they just put a disclaimer somewhere on their site and leave it be, drawing attention away from the fact that they are advertising. Today, Gizmodo posted this, a sponsored post and clearly labeled it so. http://tinyurl.com/crf44nk
If this was in fact the FTC rule, why on earth would any for profit blog post "advertisement" or "sponsored" on every post that is being paid for by a sponsor? Why wouldn't they just put a disclaimer somewhere on their site and leave it be, drawing attention away from the fact that they are advertising. Today, Gizmodo posted this, a sponsored post and clearly labeled it so. http://tinyurl.com/crf44nk
This blog states that FTC made some revisions (concerning bloggers in Para(s) 255.1, example 5 and 255.5, example 7) in May 2012. This is how the blogger interprets them:
1. The FTC can fine both the blogger and the company for not disclosing an arrangement where the company compensates the blogger for a review, positive mention, or sponsored post. Wouldn’t that be a bummer, to not mention your arrangement in the post and then find it costs you a new client? So not worth it.
First, let’s define an “arrangement.” According to the FTC, compensation happens when you:
Receive a free product and review it
Link to the product’s website and receive a commission (called an affiliate program)
Receive money, product or services for posting about a product
Review a product or service that comes from an advertiser on your site...
2. The definition of “disclosure” is more specific. It’s not enough to make a general disclosure on your About page anymore. The discloser must be contained in the post itself. “So long as the disclosure clearly and conspicuously conveys to the reader the relationship between the blogger and the advertiser, the disclosure will be adequate,” states the article. That means you can write something as simple as, “Company ABC gave me this product to review” and you’re done."
First, let’s define an “arrangement.” According to the FTC, compensation happens when you:
Receive a free product and review it
Link to the product’s website and receive a commission (called an affiliate program)
Receive money, product or services for posting about a product
Review a product or service that comes from an advertiser on your site...
2. The definition of “disclosure” is more specific. It’s not enough to make a general disclosure on your About page anymore. The discloser must be contained in the post itself. “So long as the disclosure clearly and conspicuously conveys to the reader the relationship between the blogger and the advertiser, the disclosure will be adequate,” states the article. That means you can write something as simple as, “Company ABC gave me this product to review” and you’re done."
Now, unlike this blogger, I didn't find a single use of the word "affiliate" in the FTC document, but I think that the spirit of those rules does include them. It would be very interesting to hear from some attorneys (and I know we have plenty of them on this forum) what their take is on it.
Don't think this ruling would be a tragedy for honest bloggers who don't intentionally push lame ducks while there is a better offer out there, but I think it's gonna be a pain to accompany every single affiliate link with that disclosure. Or maybe not.
Anyway... my bad
Last edited by mia; Aug 22, 2012 at 3:52 pm Reason: Formatting
#1019
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,882
I unsubscribed from Darius' Million Mile Secrets when he added referral links.
Why?
Very simple. Before he added referral links he righteously promoted the fact he did not include referral links and overtly hinted that those who do should be ashamed. I saw the writing on the wall, and sure enough, he changed his tune.
I don't regret the decision, especially after finding out he stuck another knife in the coffin of a debit card / money order earning opportunity.
There are plenty of other blogs with new an unique content, and his sure isn't one of them.
Also, I couldn't take the ridiculous bow tie photo any longer. It reminded me too much of Matthew Lesko (the guy in the question mark suit with a bow tie unscrupulously selling "Free Money" books)
Why?
Very simple. Before he added referral links he righteously promoted the fact he did not include referral links and overtly hinted that those who do should be ashamed. I saw the writing on the wall, and sure enough, he changed his tune.
I don't regret the decision, especially after finding out he stuck another knife in the coffin of a debit card / money order earning opportunity.
There are plenty of other blogs with new an unique content, and his sure isn't one of them.
Also, I couldn't take the ridiculous bow tie photo any longer. It reminded me too much of Matthew Lesko (the guy in the question mark suit with a bow tie unscrupulously selling "Free Money" books)
If I remember correctly, all he did with the debit card money order spending was to issue caveats so we not get burned ! I applaud him for his concern for us.
#1020
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: TPA
Programs: spg gold
Posts: 405
These blogs are in business, and I have been in business all my life. I love my customers they are the reason I can eat. When I go to a restaurant and my food is not right I send it back, and they say were sorry and they fix it. I just can't understand a blogger that says if you don't like what I do go away. Name any other successful business that is run with that type of attitude,and they wonder why people don't like them.