Didya ask him why he can't ask that question here since he read your post here? ;)

Because loyalty counts? Because FT/IB is “the competition”? Because if he posts on this thread, then he can put something on the spot in such a way as to bait an FT TOS violation? Because they have a personal relationship?

So many possibilities That's why I asked. :)

But always nice to be reminded that this forum is MUST reading for points, miles and credit card bloggers.

After all, how else would they get to read what the Thought Leader in Points and Miles Blogs, Seminars, Charters and Websites has to say!!?!?!? :D

As the CSR becomes the card to push in 2018, VFTW is trying hard to eliminate one of its benefits:

Great, now another benefit will be discontinued soon.

As long as Gary gets sign-ups in the meantime, what's the problem?

Are people still signing up for credit cards simply because a blogger says do it?

Would Gary be in business otherwise?

I'm really now expecting a post entitled, "The Sapphire Reserve--Does the Card Have Rounded Corners? And Seven Reason You Want That in a Credit Card."

And Lucky will be right behind with his.

Yesterday we had: 9 benefits you didn't know you had with the CSR.... so you are pretty close :p

Why am I not surprised that VFTW is one of the blogs trying to pump the pathetic new Barclay Arrival Premier like it's the greatest thing since sliced bread? Contrast to Rapid Travel Chai and even some other BA blogs that are more honest about calling it what it is.

"3x everywhere" seems to be the chant out there.

What a crock.

Interesting to see people shouting "Deceptive marketing" at Chase for the IHG card changes but not at the Barclay blog posts...

Yeah, interesting approach as a business model by Barclay, and I'm sure other CC companies will be watching with interest to see if they can ramp down their initial offer bonuses, but there is no blogger who should be pushing this card--unless, of course, the referral bonus or the affiliate fee far outstrips your credibility--duh! For the consumer, you go from getting a 25-100K signup bonus for spend for an annual fee, even if charged in the first year. Then you can decide whether the card itself is worth paying the annual fee after that. I've done that with a number of cards, including those that waive baggage fees or that provide some other discount, such as the Chase BA card that gives me 10% off on each flight I book. That's not valuable to everyone, but it's valuable to me. And I don't have to spend a single additional dollar on the card to get that benefit.

With this card, I've got to spend tens of thousands of dollars to get the additional spend bonus, and it appears that the sweet spot would be with Japan Airlines. That's a lot for $150 per year.