First, thanks Randy for a great site and a wonderful magazine (Inside Flyer). That said, when I logged on, I got a message that I was visitor # ---- and had won a $50 gift certificate of my choice. Figuring that FT would not allow rogue advertizers, I clicked and was sent through a never-ending set of questions about what I might like to get for free or for a price and then was told I had to apply for some membership of my choice (credit card, video club, etc.), so I clicked through that and spent another several minutes clicking through (negatively) other "freebies" until I reached what for me was a terminal site--apply for a degree online. Well, I already have a B.A., an M.A., and a Ph.D.--all from very reputable private and public institutions--so I didn't need one from a degree mill. But shame on FT for taking advertizing, especially on the opening page of My FlyerTalk, promising freebies. Yes, shame on me for falling for it, but I expected more from FT.

Just goes to show that education <> common sense.

I'm not at all sure that sort of a smart remark was called for, or that it in any way advances the topic.

In response to the original poster, I would note that Randy has said on a number of occasions that he does not personally review the ads sold by his marketing agent, and that if someone sees something they think is improper to please being it to his attention. I think you are wise to do so; it is important since, as you say, the repute of the website lends apparent sanction to the ad, and if I might say so, to a lesser degree vice versa. Randy may want to review this himself.

Shame for advertising? Hooray for advertising; it helps fund this wonderful website geared toward helping frequent flyers.

Agreed, completely! ^

As for post number 2, I've got to agree with that to an extent (could've been worded better, but at the same time, it got a point accross). Every time I click on my bookmark for FT, I get a pop-up ad, usually for US Airways or Classmates.com or to visit somewhere exotic like Turkey or Australia. Did you really expect that you were getting a completely free (with no obligation on your end) gift card to something from a pop-up advertisement? And then you were offended by the ad enough to complain & insinuate negative thoughts about the reputation of FT? Didn't you realize that it wasn't an free gift card from FT after the several minutes of clicking?

Welcome to the World Wide Web.

Aren't we getting uppity? Your common sense <> common decency.

And bhatnasx wrote:

I expected better of FT. If this is supposed to be a sense of community, the ad is inappropriate and the slamming is worse. I was trying to make the point that this ad was below the standards of FT, not that any FT personnel were trying to lure members into someone else's lair. I have never posted anything negative about anyone else on FT and I am constantly amazed by the "adults" who think that they are scoring points by doing so. Welcome to the World Wide Web indeed!

I don't believe FT contracts with individual advertisers, but rather with a broker who consolidates ads for display on websites such as FT. As such, FT has limited control over what may appear on their pages at any given time.

I do think I saw the ad in question. IIRC, and I may be wrong, it said something about my being the 80,xxx visitor to the website. Since we are coming right up on 3 million posts, let alone visits, I didn't pay it a second thought.

It's like those IQ ads that ask you to pick one of four choices. There are no choices to be made. The mere act of clicking on the ad takes you to the advertisers site.

Clicking on any banner ad is a buyer beware situation. I'd just count it as a lesson learned.

Counsellor is right about bringing it to Randy's attention. It wouldn't surprise me if websites sites could blacklist specific ads.

I prefer my FT ad-free.

FewMiles..

I guess I am kind of a smart ....

Point stands: what do you expect from obvious pop-up spam?

Recommended: toolbar.google.com. Install this toolbar in your browser and eliminate 99.9% of popups.

Or get a Macintosh with the Safari browser (or use one of many browsers/plugins), which will likewise kill the popups.

I would like to see the folks at Webflyer make a nice profit from all the work they put into FT which we members profit from quite nicely! Advertising provides a stream of revenue; who am I to be critical of revenue.