mia

...with no posts between July and February. In my experience when everyone supports an idea it doesn't drop off the stage for six months.

Ultimate Rewards meets, barely, the minimum criteria that I would use to consider a separate forum. However, I am not a TalkBoard member, and my criteria are not important. I do think those who advocate creation of a new forum, any new forum, have the responsibility to demonstrate that FlyerTalk members would be better served than by the current arrangement. I have not yet seen this, but if TalkBoard formally considers the proposal the publicity will surely elicit more input.

ma91pmh

Because it was pretty much poo-pooed on last time

Put it to a Yes/No referendum. I predict right here and now a landslide "yes"

nsx

I went back and read the forum creation guidelines and concluded that for Ultimate Rewards it comes down to one question:

I have spent a few hours reading the Credit Card Programs forum. That is one very active forum!

Three of its 4 sticky threads relate to Chase Ultimate Rewards. This indicates a high level of repetitive questions and concerns about UR. Approximately 10% of recent threads relate to Chase UR and its cards (Sapphire, Ink, and Freedom). Unloading that content would leave a still very active Credit Card Programs forum while improving its usability for discussion of other cards and general churning techniques.

On the flip side, why doesn't discussion of Chase Ultimate Rewards and its cards have value to members holding other cards? Why would I consider it "noise" to holders of other cards? What's unique about Ultimate Rewards? As I have posted before:

1. UR points are highly flexible. They are arguably more useful than Amex Membership Rewards points. UR members and prospective members need to know about options like UR to BA to IB, but that information isn't particularly useful to non-UR members in the Credit Card Programs forum.

2. UR points can be transferred to top off award balances for a spouse and in some cases for others. Some members have apparently sold their UR points and had their UR accounts closed for multiple transfers to people with different names. This is a relatively new problem. The rules and their application are not yet completely clear. Thus the stickies.

3. Different UR cards have different specialized bonuses. Again, this information has no utility for non-UR members. But it has great utility for holders of one UR card who are considering obtaining other types of UR cards for their category bonuses.


Based on my observations, I favor creation of a new forum for Chase Ultimate Rewards and UR-earning cards, analogous to the Amex Membership Rewards forum.

JimLtravels

Thank You!

nsx

Can anyone list additional arguments in favor or (or against) creation of a UR forum? I feel the need to put together just a little more rationale before asking for a vote.

JimLtravels

We have diners and membership rewards as separate forums, for which I am thankful. UR and possibly thank you fall into similar categories. Though I could make arguments both ways on thank since their transfer program is quite limited. UR has transfers to all alliances. The program is clearly the up and coming of all programs. Chase has done an excellent job of quickly moving their program forward and appears to be the most popular among more frequent flyers. While their program, to me, leans to Hyatt and united, neither of which are my main programs, the strategies to maximize UR points are the most appear to be the most written about.
Since flyertalk talks about most programs, this one seems to fit the qualifications of having its own forum.
I will make the same argument more vigorously for thank you once they have more transfer partners.
Until then, I would like to see better organization of UR on this forum as there are numerous strategies to maximize these points.
Thanks

windcloud5

We strongly request a separate forum for UR. UR points are more valuable than MR points and it is the talk of the town now. Please give what the people want and not be a dictatorship. If there is one forum that people must have, I bet more people will vote UR than MR. You don't trust me? start a poll.

Mary2e

Dictatorship? A privately owned IBB can do what it likes and feels appropriate. As well, you can ask for a refund if you're not satisfied for the service they provide.

mia

The decision to create new forums is not made by Internet Brands, but rather by the volunteer TalkBoard which is elected by the members of FlyerTalk. I suggest that name calling does not increase the probability of persuading TalkBoard to act. I further suggest that personal animosity toward those who hold a different opinion is unwarranted.

Mary2e

That's not entirely true. The community director, or even IB, can create, and has created, forums without going to the talk board. Most do go through the talkboard, but not all of them.

lin821

What mia said. ^

In case you need more info about TalkBoard, this post about TalkBoard Guidelines will tell you how TalkBoard operates. If you can get the majority TalkBoard members to share the same views as you, you"ll see a motion made then passed with flying colors. If not, no new forum get created.

Or you may try what Mary2e suggested, communicate to our Community Director directly (via PM or email I suppose) and see if you can win her over. Do keep in mind the underlined text though:

Flying Machine

I personally would like to see an American Express Forum that includes Membership Rewards information. Seems to me that it is hidden in the Credit Card Forum. I would like to share ideas with other travlers that use the AMEX Card. Thanks and Safe Travels

mia

There is already a separate Membership Rewards forum. Click here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...p-rewards-410/

Flying Machine

Thanks mia for pointing that out.. Thanks and Safe Travels..

SuperKirby

The Credit Card Program is simply one of MANY sub-forums here on FT. If the Airline Sub-Forum can have 55 different programs ranging from the very popular UA (2.8 mil posts) to the least popular AirBerlin (2,044 posts), then why can't the Credit Card Sub Forum be similar? I am sure Chase UR would gain more than 2,044 posts.

Yes it goes back to the argument that Airline sub-forums are more important than credit card sub-forums because FT is a frequent flyer based forum. However, that argument loses credibility because:

1. You have a Car Rental Program Sub-Forum with 7 programs, including the non popular Thrifty (2,000+ posts).
2. A Hotel Sub-Forum with 12 programs, once again ranging from popular to un-popular programs.
and 3. Your Other loyalty program sub-forum has more programs (3) than the credit card sub-forum (just MR and Diners).

As a new FT member, I expected TONS of programs listed under the Credit-card sub-forum and was very surprised to see a consolidated "other credit card programs" forum.

It seems as though FT is trying to single out MR and Diners due to its "exclusiveness". Who cares if MR has a billion posts and UR has 3,000. Your other sub-forums prove that being a popular program is not a prerequisite to owning its own forum.

If you are to keep the Credit Card program sub-forum as is, then I suggest you change the Car Rental programs to just Hertz, Avis, and National because clearly, the other 4 rental programs deserve only an "other car rental programs" forum. Same goes for all other similar sub-forums.

My 2 miles.