Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Community > Only Randy Petersen
Reload this Page >

Advertisements promoting illegal activities?

Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Advertisements promoting illegal activities?

 
Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 5, 2008 | 3:45 pm
  #1  
brp
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 34,038
Advertisements promoting activities in violation of T&Cs?

Hi Randy,

I'm not sure if this question is best directed at you, or Internet Brands but, as there is no "Internet Brands Only" forum, this seemed like the appropriate place.

When refreshing my page, I saw an add for a site called AwardTraveler. The subnote indicated that they buy frequent flier miles. I checked the site. Sure enough, they pay for one's FF miles, then have the person being paid book award tickets for their clients.

We all know that the selling of frequent flier miles is against the T&Cs of the FF programs (at least for the ones I'm familiar with).

In this case, why are such advertisements for "forbidden" practices allowed on FT? I assume that they are not here by accident, and someone has made a conscious decision to allow such advertisements.

Cheers.

Last edited by brp; Feb 5, 2008 at 3:51 pm
brp is offline  
Old Feb 5, 2008 | 3:54 pm
  #2  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
20 Nights
30 Countries Visited
3M
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 36,859
Being actively engaged in the Internet advertising business, I can tell you that there is no way a site owner can monitor every ad that an advertiser shows. Most of the time the site owner will take action after someone (such as you in this case) draws attention to inappropriate ads. I'm sure that this will happen here as well.
vasantn is offline  
Old Feb 5, 2008 | 4:03 pm
  #3  
Moderator: Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards
30 Countries Visited
40 Nights
5M
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,635
It may not be a problem. Bartering awards is also against the T&Cs but it is openly promoted and facilitated on Coupon Connection. No difference, really.
At no time may AAdvantage mileage credit or award tickets be purchased, sold or bartered. Any such mileage or tickets are void if transferred for cash or other consideration. Violators (including any passenger who uses a purchased or bartered award ticket) may be liable for damages and litigation costs, including American Airlines attorneys fees incurred in enforcing this rule.
dayone is offline  
Old Feb 5, 2008 | 4:26 pm
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: American, United
Posts: 118
Yes, as vasantn says, these come through ad networks and we block them when reported. Since they are in conflict with the site T&C's, we'll get them blocked. Thanks for pointing this out!

-- John
JohnMcG is offline  
Old Feb 5, 2008 | 4:30 pm
  #5  
brp
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 34,038
Originally Posted by JohnMcG
Yes, as vasantn says, these come through ad networks and we block them when reported. Since they are in conflict with the site T&C's, we'll get them blocked. Thanks for pointing this out!

-- John
Cool...I did get to the right person this way

So, a follow-on question- how do you vet the ad channels, in general, to see that the advertisements that they're going to put on your site live up to your standards? Do they get "demerits" for something like this?

Cheers.
brp is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2008 | 10:55 am
  #6  
brp
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 34,038
Site advertisements still around

Just to follow up. Almost a week later the ads for a site that will buy frequent flier miles and procure awards for others is still showing up on FT. Seems that this has not been addressed as yet.

Cheers.
brp is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.