I really don't understand why Gary thinks the AA changes were minor or why he defended them and allowed them "one free pass." AA's "surprise" at the anger was even more pathetic.

Ending all stopovers, eliminating the entire OW Explorer award, and massively increasing anytime awards isn't small at all.

Maybe I exaggerated calling it a MAAsacre, but how were the AA changes minor?

Gary has a relationship with the AA program folks. Apparently (as we just learned) he does not have a relationship with the BA program folks.

Coincidence?

YOU decide. :)

It's an interesting debate.

Is it better to go soft to maintain a high-level contact or tell it how it is and risk losing said contact?

Does the community benefit more from telling the industry how it really feels or by maintaining a connection that may prove useful in the future?

Replace "the community" with "Gary", and I think you'll have the answer to your question.

The above linked VFTW post sounded like a little kid excusing his behavior with "Oh yeah, well you MADE me do it!"

Sure, BA could throw some devaluation out there with little to no notice, but that doesn't mean that every little snippet someone comes across is evidence that the hammer is about to fall. He jumped to conclusions and has egg on his face. Now he's trying to say the egg on his face is the fault of the hen, who laid a cracked egg one time back in 2011.

Something along the lines of what you suggested above would've been classy, professional, and restored some credibility.

I can't think of any time where we received any actual benefit. And I don't count an "exclusive interview" where nothing of any substance was revealed.

And really, it's unlikely any of these high level AA contacts are going to reveal anything juicy unless he agrees not to disclose. "Hey guys, I have inside word that US-Europe in F will be increasing 25% next month!"

Most of the assertions made by gpapadop/TBB in the 27 Aug post and comments are not factually accurate.

It is unclear whether the group cares about the meta-analysis of the bloggers being a work of creative fiction versus just taking issue with the other bits, but there it is.

Which one? He made 2 posts yesterday. And, more specifically, which assertions?

I just finished an interesting PM back and forth with sbm12 and am tired to repost my arguments again :)

Just a few notes. My site was never about "facts", I get enough "facts" from so many expert bloggers trying to sell me something every blog post it appears! My site is about entertainment mostly, some educating and rarely some inspiring. I leave the "facts" to the true experts, cough!

As readers of BA blogs, we would like to know more about how they make their money. I think it will help us make better consumer decisions. I believe this space lacks transparency BIG time and then we get called on for not getting our facts straight? In a hobby site nevertheless? When some others in BA going totally nuts on Amex cards suddenly trying to convince us they just became a better value lately while another one disputes this "fact" selling the same cards? I mean, how ludicrous is that?

I am not angry, just amused.

Sorry you are so tired. Take a nap then come back and post the controversial bits!

I did notice that suddenly the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express is getting a lot of digital ink. VFTW's commercial was by far the worst: SkyPesos still suck. But here's my affiliate link because you get 50k of them.

Pretty funny stuff.

At least OMAAT spent some time to come up with some reasons why his readers might want to want to click on his affiliate link for those skypesos....

Of course the irony is that Gary's bad commercial was definitely more accurate: skypesos still mostly suck.

The ones about revenue at Boarding Area.
And yet you present your criticisms and "analysis" of the blogs as some form of truth. You can say "it is just entertainment, not real" as much as you want. But that's not actually what you're presenting and if we're going to call people out for sharing bad info on blogs then it has to cut both ways.

I am not at all surprised by the defense mounted nor the deflection attempted. Rather than admit you got it wrong you're fighting back with:
1) I'm not really trying; and,
2) I don't really know and I disclose that.

Pretty weak IMO.

I won't pretend to defend the posts about the value of SkyMiles and the CC bonuses for signing up. No need to beat that (already very, very, very) dead horse. But that's not what was presented by gpapadop as the basis for several of the erroneous claims made.

Didn't he cite a source for that? Loyalty Traveler, which is a BA blog?

So is this a case of a blogger getting it wrong then that wrong information being picked up and talked about by another blog as gospel truth....AGAIN?

He cited a source and then made up a bunch of stuff based on an oblique reference. I've read the original material and the additional theories which it precipitated. I remain quite comfortable in the assertion that the information presented by TBB is a work of fiction.

That seems to be the P&M blog theme for the week: take a piece of benign information and then extrapolate fiction out of it. @:-)

Anything fact or fiction that drives Tabloid Buzzards Amazon links is fair game! :rolleyes:

And if bloggers are going to be called out for that then they all should be. :-:

So let it be written, so let it be done. :)

(Of course, that's assuming your implied assertion that BA revenue is not down this summer is correct, contrary to TBB's assumption...not sure it's wise of me to make that assumption given all of the false assumptions that have been based on false assumptions this week!!!)

Pretty hilarious reading this when so many big time businessmen expert bloggers did exactly that with the Avios debacle! :D
This is EXACTLY what my eyes see every day in so many blogs I follow (353 to be exact!).

And mine was preceded by this disclosure ON TOP:
Warning: I have a very strong imagination and like to make up things and then channel them into my blog. It makes me feel better “letting it all out” and also makes me feel important. This is my way of dealing with my inner inadequacies and insecurities. Whatever. Brace yourselves!

Okay so let's zero in what I DID write:

>>>>>>>>>>>Loyalty Traveler (who I very highly respect) let that slip in his blog a few days ago which led me to comment further and, oh boy, are we seeing a turn in BA blog content lately or what?

Nailed it! I see it every day in Feedly.

>>>>>>>>>>>MORE posts trying to get views to soften some of the revenue losses ( I am guessing) and, brace yourselves big time, if you thought BA was already very credit card sell happy…you haven’t seen nothing yet!

Nailed it. I see it every day in Feedly.

>>>>>>>>>>>Actually, you are seeing a prime example in the amazing BIG TIME pump at One Mile at a Time in just the past few days!

Nailed it again.

>>>>>>>>>>> As you know, I am used to this stuff but even I am just blown away

Yep...I am!

>>>>>>>>>> I think in rough down revenue times from advertising sources you see the true colors of our favorite bloggers who do it for “friends and family” :-) Sadly (again), the good responsible bloggers (like Loyalty Traveler for example) are the ones who get hurt the most in these developments…

I stand by it. Sometimes I drink late at night when I blog but not that night. I had run out of booze :D

>>>>>>>>>>I would not be shocked if some of the BA biggies decide to go it alone. Actually, I am very surprised they haven’t done so as The Points Guy, Million Mile Secrets and Frugal Travel Guy are cleaning up the vast newbie market all to themselves!

Stating what my imagination dictated to my brain which directed my fingers on my keyboard. No arguments about MMS TPG FTG cleaning up on the newbie market I would venture to say...So, so far I am doing pretty good hey?

I then have the link to LT's post that begins with "Apparently ad payouts for blogging are ‘down the toilet’ summer 2014." I trust Ric so it does not appear an oblique reference to ME. It's not like you BA bloggers talk about this stuff openly you know...but let's continue along...

>>>>>>>>>>What I also would like to know is to find out what happened? Why did these advertisers suddenly decide to stop paying handsome prices?

BA has some pretty high ad rates, Randy has done a great job at that.

>>>>>>>>>>>The industry is known to be having some pricing challenges but the drop off at Boarding Area seems to be way too high than most anticipated?

I stand by it. Ric saying ad rates going down the toilet was one hint. I better stop there wearing my journalistic hat for a moment...

>>>>>>>>>>Of course, just like Amex, they could come back in a flash and oh happy days are here again as the advertising revenue does provide some meaningful income (from what I hear) to most bloggers.

Expressing my hopes because I love all of you. Except Delta Points :-)

>>>>>>>>>> I think of all the new bloggers who came aboard recently, especially all the ones at prior2boarding. I have no doubt that getting ad revenue was the big draw (heck, I would love it too!). Were they warned that this may not be the case any longer in the future?

I stand by it and asking a hypothetical question. Can we do THAT?

>>>>>>>>>>Or is this the reason for suddenly opening the gates to accept more bloggers to keep the traffic hit numbers up to stave off the revenue hit?

Asking another question. I think I can do that in my blog.

>>>>>>>>>>>Questions, questions looking for answers.

Got any answers instead to correct my "erroneous" claims?

>>>>>>>>>>> If someone at BA like to comment please do so below or directly to me. I will always honor your request to be off the record if you so desire.

It worked ^

>>>>>>>>>>>It is fascinating to watch all this happening…

It sure is.

Anyways, I don't want to link directly here to my post. If you are looking for it the title starts with "Breaking News: Boarding Area to be renamed Credit Card Area" which was intended as a joke in a site that is a joke.

I am falling behind on FT, too many effing blogs to keep track lol.

I'm directly aware of the situation regarding revenue within Boarding Area. The situation presented in that post is not entirely accurate. There's also the part where the comment made on LT was not specific to Boarding Area, but no one wants to consider that because it isn't nearly as useful to the story line being played here.
And they screwed up, too. They were called on it here and you should be too. Nothing good comes from having one set of blogs held to a different standard.

Among the claims I find suspect is the suggestion that there has been a sudden shift in content to focus more on CC posts. I do not believe that is at all true. In fact I'd bet that the numbers have been the same on average for more than a year now. Feel free to show some evidence to the contrary with counts on the number of posts, but the folks shilling for CCs have a DL AmEx post every now and then and have for a long time now. That's not new.

Heck, the actual number of posts overall on a per blogger basis hasn't even really changed. But you've claimed that as well.

Yes, you have a wild and active imagination. That's fine. But the conclusions you've drawn miss reality. Just like the Avios posts earlier in the week you were so quick to judge.

>>>>>>Among the claims I find suspect is the suggestion that there has been a sudden shift in content to focus more on CC posts. I do not believe that is at all true. In fact I'd bet that the numbers have been the same on average for more than a year now.

I believe it is true. I see it in Feedly feeds EVERY DAY! I spend enough time hurting my eye sockets to start counting...all I know is that IS TRUE. You disagree. You called me in PMs I spread lies. I think you are full of BS.

>>>>>>>.... but the folks shilling for CCs have a DL AmEx post every now and then and have for a long time now. That's not new.

The number of Amex related posts dropped significantly when Amex pulled the plug and jumped again when they came back. Look at Delta Points :D I think you are wrong again Seth.

>>>>>>>>>Heck, the actual number of posts overall on a per blogger basis hasn't even really changed. But you've claimed that as well.

I noticed frequency of posting went up after the ad revenue went down. I am standing by it.

>>>>>>>>>>Yes, you have a wild and active imagination. That's fine. But the conclusions you've drawn miss reality. Just like the Avios posts earlier in the week you were so quick to judge.

I do have a wild and active imagination, not going to deny it. I am fine with my conclusions and you clearly disagree with them, which is cool.

I am still waiting for you to enlighten me about my "erroneous claims" and lies. Much different than, based on my judgment, they are erroneous "conclusions".

This is the reply to your latest PM. Calling me for "spreading lies" is ludicrous. The rest of your arguments are not worthy addressing them as I see you did not bother addressing my points in my long post above. Shaking my head with you, wow!

C' est la vie.

I will have BAcon something for lunch with my kids ^

Are you going to steer us towards more entire accuracy? Telling us that LT and TBB have got something wrong is fine -- but it would be good to have more than "trust me" given that gpapadop is clearly sticking to his guns.

So often there is just so much that is NOT said in the P&M blogger space.

Yesterday, for example, VFTW did a new cashback card announcement/analysis/commercial.

In the comments someone pointed to a different blog that was calling out the VFTW post for not being totally forthcoming at the behest of Citi and instead just posting the talking points about the card that they had provided to him as an affiliate. Gary's response was "The claim is absurd, (1) why in the world would Citibank not want me to write about how redemption works? (2) I don’t generally make “much more than $1000 per month” from Citibank?

Why in the world? Don't generally? If he were talking about Avios, Gary himself call that "a non-denial denial." ;):p

Oh well, he was on MSNBC and Marketplace this week, so he must be the expert! ^

I read TBB pretty regularly and like the site. But LT's statement seems pretty clearly to be in the context of P&M bloggers universally*, not just BA. I think you jumped the shark in basing your writeup on a misreading of LT's quote.

*At least that's how it reads in his blog post. If he intended something different it didn't come out that way.

Nothing wrong with speculation (1/2 of FT threads are mostly that) but since the LT statement on revenues was the foundation of your speculation about BA bloggers' actions, it doesn't really hold up IMHO. Unless there is more info that someone has that the rest of us don't.

sbm12 - do you mean that LT's quoted statement isn't totally accurate as well? Or just the TBB post about it?


He must be taking lessons from politicians on how to do non-answer-answers.

But hey, it's only "not much more than $1,000" so it's just pocket change anyway

In this post over at VFTW you can find what may be the first case of a blogger telling us that it “makes sense” for a card issuer to slap on foreign transaction fees.

It makes sense for the card issuer, of course, so in that sense it's not "wrong or misleading", and at least it's mentioned. But for consumers it's definitely a negative feature of the cards (sorry, "points tools") being pushed.

Yeah, that was a weird commercial too. He's done a few weird ones this week.

The statement made by LT was relatively generic. This is just one of many articles suggesting that "ad rates remain low and continue to drop" in the industry.

Knowing Ric and having had some communication with him recently I believe that this is mostly what he was referring to in that post.

And, despite the assertions by gpapadop/TBB that he's seeing different behavior I remain suspect of those claims. As I mentioned in my previous comment here I do not believe that the number of overall posts about CCs has changed month over month nor do I see an increase in post frequency despite the claim that "I noticed frequency of posting went up after the ad revenue went down." Unless there is actual evidence of a change in posting patterns by those so accused - a claim which I believe remains suspect - then it is all just noise, not signal.

Within this realm of discussion I'd like to know when, exactly, he believes the revenue numbers dropped, when he saw a change in the posting behavior (and from whom he saw a change) and how he's been tracking such. I don't care that there is some VERY LARGE number of feeds being followed.

There is a claim implied in that last quote which suggests that gpapadop has some sort of inside knowledge on the revenue numbers from the Boarding Area bloggers. I believe that implication to be false. If he's got evidence then present it. Otherwise I'll stand by the assertion I've made for several days now that he's full of crap. And an overactive imagination is fun for some, but in a thread focused on calling out "misleading" information I have no problem doing so.

Put another way, tell us what you know about the revenue numbers, gpapadop, or STFU.


He can "stick to his guns" all he wants. I'm not going to tell you the specifics of my revenue numbers to that level. I suppose you'll have to decide if you trust a guy who claims that his blog is really just a big joke where he's making stuff up the whole time or someone who actually knows the reality of the situation and who has access to the real numbers.

I understand that gpapadop has built quite the reputation as a "man of the people" by challenging the bloggers at every turn. But those challenges have always been made based on inference and conjecture. In many cases he's admitted that he doesn't actually know what's going on behind the scenes.

I can only say that I know for a fact that the assertions made recently are false and I've never really been one to play the "game" as so many see it. You can believe him or you can believe me. Insomuch as I know what I've seen on the numbers I believe me more than him. Feel free to choose differently.

dupe; sorry

>>>>>>>>This is just one of many articles suggesting that "ad rates remain low and continue to drop" in the industry.

That is correct. BA is in this industry. Ad rates have gone lower-------> Ad revenue has gone lower. It's not rocket science!

>>>>>>>>>I do not believe that the number of overall posts about CCs has changed month over month nor do I see an increase in post frequency despite the claim that "I noticed frequency of posting went up after the ad revenue went down." Unless there is actual evidence of a change in posting patterns by those so accused - a claim which I believe remains suspect - then it is all just noise, not signal.

I stand by what I wrote and I think you are wrong. Are you denying that Amex related credit card posts did NOT increase since Amex came back in the fold? Are you denying that OMAAT suddenly has gone all cc link happy? 13 Chase cc links on a question of a reader about the Chase Ink Cash Card.....the Chase INK Cash card!!!! I am seeing it ever since November 9, 2012 and I have not missed a day in Feedly since then. I may be delusional about a lot of things but this one I am NOT.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>There is a claim implied in that last quote which suggests that gpapadop has some sort of inside knowledge on the revenue numbers from the Boarding Area bloggers. I believe that implication to be false.

You can believe whatever you want dude. I better stop here...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>If he's got evidence then present it.

Yes I have it and no I won't!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Otherwise I'll stand by the assertion I've made for several days now that he's full of crap.

I respect it. I disagree :-)

>>>>>>>>>>>>And an overactive imagination is fun for some, but in a thread focused on calling out "misleading" information I have no problem doing so.

I went line by line copying my post and what I said still looking for those "erroneous claims". I see you chose not to dispute what I WROTE. I can conclude whatever the hell I want. All you bloggers do so anyway and you are the "experts"! Geesh!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Put another way, tell us what you know about the revenue numbers, gpapadop, or STFU.

I know what I know. Think!

>>>>>>>>>>>He can "stick to his guns" all he wants. I'm not going to tell you the specifics of my revenue numbers to that level.

Why not? You are all so hot about this out of the blue sending me PMs calling me a liar and questioning my character. How much did YOUR ad revenue go down? Enlighten us dude! Make me STFU. If your ad revenue did not go down recently I will publicly apologize to you and all BA bloggers (well, except one, you know who you are).

>>>>>>>>>>>>>I suppose you'll have to decide if you trust a guy who claims that his blog is really just a big joke where he's making stuff up the whole time or someone who actually knows the reality of the situation and who has access to the real numbers.

My blog is about entertainment. Fully disclosed up front in every post. It is obvious you have not been reading me and that explains your reaction...I think.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I understand that gpapadop has built quite the reputation as a "man of the people" by challenging the bloggers at every turn.

Lol, "man of the people". I kind of like it actually, thank you very much. I have been following this quirky space for almost 20 years and I am very saddened it has turned to a giant cc pumpization free for all. I always really admired you for not going along with this! And I had you in my ridiculous "Blogs I Like" list. You are a unique dude Seth, I always admired how you spoke your mind. And I was amazed how I had escaped your wrath. Until now that is.

>>>>>>>>>>>> But those challenges have always been made based on inference and conjecture.

Maybe I should come to BA so I can feel like home then!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>In many cases he's admitted that he doesn't actually know what's going on behind the scenes.

Yeah, I am too busy keeping up with Feedly lol.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>You can believe him or you can believe me.

Yep, it's a free country!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Insomuch as I know what I've seen on the numbers I believe me more than him. Feel free to choose differently.

I am willing to lay it all out what my revenue is (not much lol). You want to shut me up? You know what to do. Until then I can make conclusions based on what I have seen. They may be wrong. Until there is FULL Transparency I guess we may never know.

Have a great weekend everyone!

My how Tabloid Buzzard can dish it out but not take it himself! :rolleyes:

Just shocked a Amazon link was not tossed in the mix a few times even here!:o

Tabloid at BA - what a joke! :p

Like I said...it would fit perfectly :cool:

Of course you can. But your blog is just entertainment and satire, right? Or is it an attempt to be accurate and analytic?

Seems you're having trouble deciding as you waffle between different defenses of the recent content.

I have no problem with either version, but if you write schlock which I know to be untrue then I'll call that out. Just like all the other posts in this thread identifying other "wrong or misleading" posts.

I've never claimed that my blog is just for entertainment. Nor have I suggested it is just my imagination running wild. And I've owned up to the mistakes I've made. Seems you've avoided all of that with great gusto on this one. Why??

Just to be clear, and some still say Tabloid Buzzard does not censor here on FT for some insane reason (what is censorship) but Tabloid Buzzard does:

* Censors by removing links in comments (and more)
* Per latest comment may remove Seths blog from like list for calling Buzzard out for false posts
* Shills Amazon links more than all BA blogs talk about CCs combined!

Oh how the Angry trolls hero has fallen! :td:

Why ask why, Bud Dry! :D

Well Seth, it appears we are going round and round on this one and not making any progress at all.

We disagree. Thank you for taking the time to communicate with me on this topic, I sure learned a lot about how you think.

I stand by what I wrote. I gave you a chance to make me STFU. You missed it...again. I think you must be very upset by the ad revenue drop yourself, I would certainly be if I was a BA blogger!

Enjoy your holiday.

There are few bloggers I respect these days, but when Seth speaks up, I listen. He's earned a lot of credibility over the years, his thinking and info has repeatedly been shown to be sound.

-iceman77_7 aka helixcardinal (First!)

Sorry, but you don't get to slam TBB for being inaccurate and then FAIL to provide any data yourself (especially since you likely have better data being on the "inside" than TBB).

If YOU have proof of what you say, then it is your responsibility to provide it. TBB clearly explained he saw it with his own (bleeding) eyes with his 323 blogs on his Feedly list. But maybe he's imagining it's more prevalent simply because he's suddenly become much more sensitive to the rampant pimping? I don't think so. I see the same trend.

So put up or shut up. TBB is entitled to his opinions and conclusions, just as you are. But you don't get to claim they are wrong without supplying facts of your own to refute them.

I didn't ask for or expect any detailed numbers. I was hoping you would share some comparative insights: have you seen rates per view/click/conversion change significantly in any direction in the past three months, for example?

Of course you do. Many of us might also be inclined to do so, but you're at risk of alienating us.

You came into this scrap with gpapadop with some huge advantages:

* You've established yourself over several years as someone we listen to and expect sense from.
* You have a stack of experience (and actual data) on the stuff being argued about.
* Your prose and formatting tend not to make my brain hurt.

At the moment you don't seem to be making much of those advantages.

A couple facts which may help in the discussion:

• Over the past three months VFTW has had 157, 158 and 159 posts. Hardly a sudden influx meant to increase revenue in light of supposedly declining yields. At first blush I'm seeing 22 of those posts focused on CCs in August. That's roughly the same rate as in the past.
  
• OMAAT has had 158, 183 & 198 posts over the past three months. Similar to VFTW I'm seeing ~22 which appear to be about CCs. Again, same rates.

That's some real data, not just a hunch. Sorry it took me a few days to get there; I've had a bit of trouble with my site which tracks all of the posts.

Any other blogger you want me to pull stats on? If I have the data I'm happy to share it.

A claim has been made that there was a sudden realization of reduced eRPM rates and that posting habits have changed on account of such. I'd like to know exactly when such a realization supposedly occurred and where the evidence is of changes in posting frequencies or styles. Because I've got real data here and I'm not seeing it.


Given the evidence provided below do you still feel that way? Because I don't see where the number of "pimping" posts is increased at all.



VFTW Posts past 3 months:
OMAAT Past 3 months:

I am definitely seeing more content that enables the excuses to add credit card affiliate links. I would love to see comparisons of the NUMBER of credit card links which I think will show the differences to be even more profound. Or maybe I am imagining things. We 'll let our readers decide that.

Can you answer this question by farwest101 ?

>>>>>>have you seen rates per view/click/conversion change significantly in any direction in the past three months, for example?

One more from me:

Are you upset a little bit about the BA ad revenue drop and how BA has handled it?


Again, I am pasting below what I blogged about.
I stand by my claims:

I am seeing more posts.
I am seeing more credit card related posts (and many more credit card affiliate links, especially Amex since they came back :D ). Especially OMAAT (which saddens me------>Seeing 13 Chase links in one post about the Chase Ink card would NEVER have been posted last year in this blog! The Chase Ink card...shaking my head! ).

I am inferring/concluding (BA bloggers do that A LOT!) that there may have been an ad revenue drop in BA which may be directly responsible for the two claims and some BA bloggers may be upset. So, to cut to the chase (pun intended), have you seen a drop in ad revenue and are you upset about it? Make me STFU. Anyways, I hope BA gets back on track because it hurts non cc pumping bloggers.


-----Text of blog post at TBB on August 27th--------
Warning: I have a very strong imagination and like to make up things and then channel them into my blog. It makes me feel better “letting it all out” and also makes me feel important. This is my way of dealing with my inner inadequacies and insecurities. Whatever. Brace yourselves!

Loyalty Traveler (who I very highly respect) let that slip in his blog a few days ago which led me to comment further and, oh boy, are we seeing a turn in BA blog content lately or what? MORE posts trying to get views to soften some of the revenue losses ( I am guessing) and, brace yourselves big time, if you thought BA was already very credit card sell happy…you haven’t seen nothing yet! Actually, you are seeing a prime example in the amazing BIG TIME pump at One Mile at a Time in just the past few days! As you know, I am used to this stuff but even I am just blown away! I think in rough down revenue times from advertising sources you see the true colors of our favorite bloggers who do it for “friends and family” :-) Sadly (again), the good responsible bloggers (like Loyalty Traveler for example) are the ones who get hurt the most in these developments…

I would not be shocked if some of the BA biggies decide to go it alone. Actually, I am very surprised they haven’t done so as The Points Guy, Million Mile Secrets and Frugal Travel Guy are cleaning up the vast newbie market all to themselves!

Here was the quote that most missed. Nothing goes past TBB. We speak our mind and we follow doctor therapist orders to “let it all out”! What do we have to lose…our Amazon link? ROFL!!!

http://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea....-weekend-2014/

Apparently ad payouts for blogging are ‘down the toilet’ summer 2014. Do credit cards really need to advertise on blogs when the travel bloggers already personalize the commercials for them in their content?
So expect lots of catch phrase titles with less content as the travel blogosphere struggles with the new normal of lower advertisement payments.

What a s#%t storm I stirred up!
 

I am not going to contribute any information about BoardingArea revenue.

Here is a comment I posted on my blog in response to a comment from gpapadop August 2013.

159 posts from VFTW and 198 posts from OMAAT in August!

Loyalty Traveler has 77 posts for August.

I do not live to work, I work to live in the way I like. I have been out whale watching around Monterey Bay twice this past week instead of writing.

I heard excitement in the voices of six-year-olds yesterday as I informed them in first grade they were doing algebra by finding the missing number in a math sentence. Several school kids talked to me about the story I told them last week about eating spaghetti in Rome when I was 14 and why I rarely eat spaghetti since then.

An elderly woman I spoke with yesterday, upon learning that I am going to Norway next week wrote down the name of a town where her father emigrated from in the early 20th century. She said she would love to see photographs of the town. I actually had a hard time finding it on Google maps. I think the town may not exist in this day, but I have a destination to seek out, not too far from Bergen where I will be spending a week. I'd love to show her photographs of where her father came from in Norway.

Next week I will be walking the beaches of Norway and writing about the places, people and little alterations I see between Norway and California.

If you want to learn the real value of Choice Privileges points, check out my blog over the next few weeks.

Have a great time in Norway Ric. I hope I did not put you in a bad spot as that was never my intention. I am so behind in my own number of posts...if only Seth would just leave me alone :D

Screw it. Taking my kids bike riding and then grilling ribs to say goodbye to this short summer!

Love means fighting for what we believe in — and that may not be easy, but it’s what we have to do.
https://medium.com/@adrianpure/not-y...em-bc91d80d887

Wow, I wish there was a like or love button for this post. You have something that 98% of BA bloggers are lacking. Integrity. This is why I read your blog and two others from BA and ignore the rest.