IMH

I wasn't suggesting that CE's presence will make VTFW less dull.

I do think it will be inherently interesting to see how CE copes with the damage to his "consumer advocate" brand. He can try to package it any way he wants, but the bottom line is that he's selling his readers to BA's advertisers -- many/most of whom are selling credit cards or promoting miles/points. I can't seem him staying long.

OMAAT has announced the impending Elliott move.

Kagehitokiri

huh. informing his readers. now that would be interesting. i will admit i was not even thinking of that.

FallenPlat

Really? I think there's no way this going to be dull, at least for a while. And, despite their irreconcilable differences in substance, Elliott implies that Gary Leff called him recently to encourage the move and welcome him.

eponymous_coward

You get free travel on B6, VX and WN, too, without the "sorry, no availability for the miles", superfluous fees for things like cashing in awards, and so on. It won't get you to Bali in F for pennies on the dollar, but it's pretty easy for a consumer to understand: you get a kickback for what you buy.

What the game Elliott rips as anti-consumer is predicated on is insider knowledge of how to maximize awards, or spend OPM to benefit yourself, plus the fact that banks are willing to give away miles because credit card interest and transaction fees are lucrative enough to subsidize it. It is completely sensible to think that the game is rigged to be anti-consumer as a whole, even if some consumers can come out ahead.

To go back to the casino example I used earlier, people win jackpots in casinos all the time, and I know people who make decent money gambling when they have positive advantage in play. Do you think casinos would be in business if the average casino customer could do that? So why are frequent flyer programs that much different?

Kagehitokiri

does elliott support earning with them?

eponymous_coward

Dunno. Haven't asked. It would seem to me that a system that says "here's an X% kickback for your travel, spend it on what you would like, no restrictions" is pretty straightforward and unable to be gamed very much, which are some of Elliott's critiques of traditional FFPs, that you get miles that are dependent on airlines opening up award availability, and saying "25,000 miles round trip to Vegas*!", with the * being *(but only if the Saver bucket is open on your dates), and that you need to scheme to be able to use your miles.

kokonutz

Perhaps he is ready to sell out and start pimping credit cards!?

Kagehitokiri

eponymous_coward, i think youve missed some of his more over the top writings.

kokonutz, there are cashback credit cards

kokonutz

In CE world doesn't the cashback credit card make all credit cards a sucker's game for rubes!?

oliver2002

I'm assuming his call for donations to support his blog will end now that the BA ad revenue will come in.

ScottC

I think it is brilliant by both parties.

Kagehitokiri

both sides claim to be educating opposing side?

oliver2002

Gary and Chris, the new Waldorf and Statler of the Mupp... sorry Miles and Points show

dhammer53

Well said. ^

FTR 787

at first I was like who is this [redacted] ... is he some sorta Elliot Ness?! turns out in a way he is, and I very much support his viewpoints if only for the reason that it helps the rest of us out who play this game for what its worth.


1) if FFPs take note of his criticisms, they might actually make improvements (unlikely) so I got no complaints cause it doesnt hurt anything.
2) if most, regular folks buy what he is selling and bow out of this game, that only means our miles go further. again, no complaints in this case either.


so great addition to BA ^ let the blogger wars begin no really, cant wait for some good ol fashioned drama to ensue if nothing else from this collaboration.