Ads from airlines and hotels on flyertalk postings
 

Have you noticed that several airlines such as Alaska Airlines and hotels now have advertisements actually embedded in flyertalk postings? Any concerns about this and how it could affect the impartiality of the postings?

Impartiality? On FT? You have GOT to be kidding! FT is all ABOUT opinions. All about expressing what you like and dislike. And your likes and dislikes are affected by every flight, every rule change, and even by advertising. This is the place to express opinion. Often, poorly thought out opinion.

Impartial? Not here!

No effect at all on my thoughts or opinions posted on FlyerTalk. As you might guess, like the poster above me, what i post is based upon actual experience with a travel provider.

Now, I may be influenced to try a particular travel provider whom i see advertising on FlyerTalk or register for a particular bonus if it is offered since I find it easier to see these things on FlyerTalk than buried or forgotten in some email from one of my programs.

For instance, I noticed the pretty big bonus miles for the new USAir credit card that is advertising on FT. I'm considering it as i had not heard of it before.

But effecting my impartiality? No way.

I would hope as long as nothing downright false (e.g. 'Wings falling off Alaska Air planes at alarming rate') the mods will let the debates go without any interference. But something that outrageous would probably get deleted even if the accused company weren't an advertiser.

This isn't really 'the latest frequent flyer program buzz' so MilesBuzz really isn't the place for it.

I considered technical issues, but it's not a technical glitch -- Flyertalk has ads unless you subscribe to insideflyer.com (free with magazine subscription or $12/yr including full magazine content).

There isn't really a suggestion, per se, so suggestions doesn't seem the right forum either. And it isn't seeking input from the member-elected TalkBoard so TalkBoard Issues doesn't seem to fit either.

Instead I'm going to close this thread. bizclass is welcome to send me a PM to discuss where this might appropriately be posted.

Regards,
Gary
aka gleff
MilesBuzz moderator