I never frequent the AC Forum, but this is an interesting discussion.

Apparently AC SWU's can only be used by elites, and as I understand it many believe that when offered for free, the AC forum makes sense because in CC there are many responses from those that can't use them and/or other AC elites that could use them don't frequent CC.

I understand why CC is the main method for any "mutual gifting" or anything else other than a total giveaway.

Now with that said when an employee brings up a concern I always say "well tell me why we should change the policy"? What I see here does not warrant changing the policy, but does (IMO) justify looking to make things better, by trying it, and maybe changing policy in the future (if it works).

So I would suggest why not test drive it? The Rules: 1. Subject of a thread, "Free SWU", 2. The body, "Nothing required". 3. Anything such as I'd like Drink Chits etc. then off to CC. Absolutely free, with no strings attached only.

Personally I can see why there are some valid points of "total" giveaways staying in the AC forum (or even other forums). Not enough to change the policy, but enough to try it out. Now maybe without any Moderator in the AC forum its harder to manage but based on what I read items are being moved based on Randy's "overall policy" not necessarily because there aren't valid arguments to do something otherwise.

1K_From_SNA writes:

The actual policy, as I understand it, is that all gifts, even total giveaways, must be confined to the CC forum. Even Ozstamps' "Thank you for the gift" was not allowed outside CC.

Personally, I do not have a clue why CC is the main method for giveaways of restricted certs. Would you please be so kind as to share your understanding of the policy. Hopefully, I am wrong in my understanding. If so, I would appreciate your enlightenment.

I once tried to give away (for free with no strings attached) some NWA certs that could only be used by AS elites on CC and, despite the fact that the terms of the certs were clearly stated in my offer, I receive dozens of e-mails from folks who didn't have a clue about AS status. I simply do not have the time or the inclination to explain to 48 different people, why they can't use NWA upgrade certs that are restricted to AS elites if they aren't AS elites.

I would happily offer the upgrades on the AS forum to folks who understand the rules and could actually use the upgrades, but since I can't, I just throw them in the garbage as soon as they arrive in the mail.

For me, the real question is how does this unduly restrictive policy enahance FT?

posted byPunki
I once tried to give away (for free with no strings attached) some NWA certs that could only be used by AS elites on CC and, despite the fact that the terms of the certs were clearly stated in my offer, I receive dozens of e-mails from folks who didn't have a clue about AS status. I simply do not have the time or the inclination to explain to 48 different people, why they can't use NWA upgrade certs that are restricted to AS elites if they aren't AS elites.




This analysis actually rings quite true.

That said, the logical compromise that reconciles Punki's legitimate time constraint issue and Randy's CC policy.............

CC offers that are program exclusive should simply say in the first line:
INQUIRIES REPLIED TO ONLY IF YOU HAVE (fill in the blank FFP program fill in the blank specific status.


Sample:

Heading: AC SSWUs Certs

Thread: INQUIRIES REPLIED TO ONLY IF YOU HAVE AEROPLAN SUPERELITE STATUS. I have 2 SSWUs exp. 2/05.

Basically, the more SPECIFIC a CC description is, the less unqualified inquiries will be received, or that one would feel obliged to respond to.

.....this thread has got me thinking.

Maybe CC should be converted to a standardized fill-in format; easy for both those offering and those wanting. Default info on left in red; fill in on right in parentheses.


Sample:

WHAT I HAVE TO OFFER:
- Program Company/Name (AIR CANADA AEROPLAN)
- Offer (2 SSWUs)
- Expiration (2/28/05)
- Eligibility (ONLY AEROPLAN SUPER ELITE MEMBERS)
- Contact me via: (PRIVATE MAIL OR EMAIL OR POST HERE)

OPTIONAL/ WHAT I WOULD LIKE:
- Program Company/Name (UNITED MILEAGE PLUS)
- Offer (25K MILES)

MISCELLANEOUS INFO: (WILL CONSIDER OTHER STAR ALLIANCE
MILES.)


This is just meant to be a start, not a final template!!

I attempted to start a thread concerning the definitions of the offers presented in the Coupon Connection forum, to whom those offers apply and how they may be used, in The Definitive Coupon Connection Glossary thread, but to no avail...

But dont you think posting "2SSWU available. PM me" in the AC forum is so much simpler, easier and more effective?

FatBoy-

My post was simply trying to reconcile competing interests. What's most 'effective' and what's most 'doable' are often two different animals.
I'm just trying to make peace!!

The reality is that if you post in CC using Aeroplan-speak like 'wallpaper' for SWUs or 'rolling paper' for SSWUs, or 'toaster money' for non-SE miles you pretty much will only get follow ACers, because the rest of the rabble in CC won't have a clue.

Canarsie brings up an intriguing issue; there's a lot of 'vernacular' on CC. This is a tough issue. For me, I like the vernacular, because only people who really understand what I'm offering (or what I need) will respond. But in the spirit of FT, having full disclosure about what an offer means has merit as well, hence Canarsie's instructive definition list.

That said, I think it should be POSTER'S CHOICE how to articulate an offer.


For those posters that want as large of response as possible, they can offer, for example:

Super Elite/Elite Systemwide Upgrade certificate
Validity:
- on scheduled flights by Air Canada, Jazz
- one way upgrade
- code share flights excluded
-not valid with award tickets, companion tickets, promotional pass travel or industry discount fares
-You must hold Super Elite or Elite status at time of travel
- Change restrictions apply as per original booking class
* no Maple Leaf Lounge access

Transferability:
- certs may be used by SE or E member OR one traveling companion traveling with SE or E member on same flight

Fare booking Eligibility:
Within Canada Freedom Y, Latitude MUA, Fun RIG, Econ BHVQL
Canada-USA (exc Hawaii) Freedom YM Latitude UA, Fun RIG, Econ BHVQL
All other destinations YMBHVLQ

Expiration Feb 28, 2005

..that would be a generous description to post or to give to Canarsie to put in the definition page.

OR you could simply post

2 AC SSWUs and leave it at that.

...that would effectively limit your audience to the same folks who check out your forum.


To further bridge the gap between Randy's policy and AC Forum wishes, how about simply putting a STICKY at the top of the AC forum that says, 'Aeroplan Cert Offers on CC; Check it Out" as a reminder for existing posters and a nice referral page for newbies.

Oh, beaubo, thank you for your efforts, but I honestly just don't want to post anything on Coupon Connection. It results in way too many responses from people I have never heard of, and I certainly am not interested in completing a form as complicated as my income tax just to give away a certificate.

If I can give it away in my program forums to my program mates, fine. If not, I can either give them away through another vehicle or let them expire. It is usually quite easy to give them away. The four that expired earlier this week were an exception. We had committed them to a friend who had a last-minute change of plans.

Now I'm totally lost. First the expiration of these certs was just another example of the great sadness that has beset FlyerTalk, now it was simply a last-minute change of plans that was responsible for the certs' expiration?

No, I'm not lost. I'm not lost at all.

OK, what are you after? How does the above relate to the subject of whether AC certs can or cannot be traded on AP forum? Or are you just trying to sidetrack this discussion away from an uncomfortable topic? Sad, really...

Well said, really! What is disturbing, however, is that for some time now this thread has been in the "Only Randy Petersen" forum and Randy has yet to make a comment. Randy, I don't know how to say this... Aren't you afraid of the perception that you are hiding behind the mods?

More than likely, Randy has more important things to worry about than another round of whining about moderation.

I think Randy is away, which is why the sniping and off topic comments weren't cut off sooner .

See, it is this attitude that just makes things harder on you guys.

We all know that Canada doesn't want moderation, but the whole anti-moderator attitude doesn't look very good on you.

Do you honestly think Randy is hiding because he is scared of what you'll say to him, or what you think of him?

Or do you think his monthly magazine, countless consulting projects or other business ventures might have a priority over the montly rant fest that takes place here in his forum?

This is about giving away a couple of coupons, it isn't a life or death situation, nor is it something that honestly can't wait a week, I'm sure you'll hear from him pretty soon...

10 lines of text. Must be a pretty sad tax return this year. Perhaps try using the 1040EZ next time.

And honestly, for someone that is both a founder, and a moderator of a competing board it is sad that you didn't consider your "program mates" over at [http://www.moremiles.org/ubb/ultimat...=forum;f=3]One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure [/url]. Seriously, I see coupon trades as recent as last week there, was there any specific reason you couldn't pop over there and offer them your coupons?