Benét will serve as deputy to Senior Credit Cards Editor Sarah Silbert.

I decided long ago not to promote credit cards because I felt that pronouncing how you can “travel for free” is disingenuous at best. Travel is not free. Travel has never been completely free in terms of cost — even in the best of times and in the “good old days.” Although it may not be you, someone is paying for that “free” travel.

Even worse are the stories of readers of those articles who decided to take the plunge and acquire those credit cards — giving the writer of the article a nice commission for selling the product — only to earn those tens of thousands of points but paying far more in interest payments than the cost of those points or of the “free” travel in the first place. I did not want to be associated with that chain of shared irresponsibility. If I ever decide to promote credit cards in the future, I plan on including a clear disclaimer pertaining to financial responsibility and culpability — which to me is not really all that much different from articles which promote gambling or drinking. I likely left a lot of money on the table over the years as the result of my decision; but at least I can put my head to my pillow at night and sleep soundly.

The main reason why I have not promoted credit cards for a commission is because I did not want any outside entity to affect or control the editorial content of The Gate for the sake of money — and thus forsaking you as a reader who seeks information. Although I have committed errors along the way — as any normal human being would do in the span of almost 13 years — I have strived to gain and earn what I believe is one of the most important things I can receive from you: trust.
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I do not want to simply parrot the euphemistic musings of public relations departments and disguise them as articles here at The Gate. That is not my job. I hold myself accountable to you — not to corporate entities. If I see something with which I disagree or if there is something which might potentially affect you negatively, I strive to include that in the articles I write — not to bad-mouth them; but rather that I provide information for them to improve the products and services which they offer to you.

The good companies understand my philosophy and continue to work with me; the not-so-good companies disassociate themselves from me, take their toys, and go home.