Should there be some kind of censorship?

[Daver6]

At times, airlines, hotels and other companies might have loopholes that allow us as the consumer to benefit. These loopholes are most likely unintentional. Perhaps the companies are even aware of it, but figure because it isn't being abused it is easier to just let it exist.

A recent example that comes to mind is the DSC promo and vouchers. This has been around for a while, but with the recent promotion has been discussed, repeatedly and openly to death. Previous years it was discussed in undertones and being sufficiently vague terms. Those discussing had, IMHO, the good sense to keep it that way in order to not bring it to the attention of the company on question.

Now, there is the obvious benefit of doing that. On the other hand, it isn't unreasonable for people wanting to know more and understand. It can be discussed openly with the same questions being repeatedly asked, bringing even more attention to it. In the end, the likely outcome is the loophole will be closed and no one benefits.

On the other hand, if it's going to be a free for all, some people who find a loophole might be less inclined to share it, knowing it's going to be closed down with such public talk. Again, as a community, we don't benefit.

The alternative is there is some form of moderation and an unspoken rule. Lets call it the Fight Club rule. People could offer to be a source of information and perhaps inform other via PMs.

Thoughts on this and a way forward?

This thread is NOT about discussing the specifics of the DSC promotion of vouchers please!

 

[samh004]

I've always felt the big drawcard for AFF was that the information was freely available and nothing was hidden away. While I realise deals disappear when shared, they're also not well utilised if no one knows about them.

I have said this frequently, but I believe it needs to be said again. In my opinion our greatest asset is our community, and the many social events that members can attend. At these events I know for a fact that deals are shared, loopholes explored and the community is richer for it. It's not hidden, all you have to do is attend and information is freely shared.

 

[drron]

An important and difficult question.It used to be one of the great things about AFF the willingness of members to share information.However there have been some who have abused that.One I particularly remember pushed things hard resulting in the disappearing of some useful quirks in loyalty land.They did not ever inform others of anything they found but would just boast.
Certainly now if I know of a way to get status quicker or premium cabins cheaper but know there can be a limit to the numbers who can take advantage I will not publicly point it out.If someone asks a question that some of that info could help and They have been around for a while I would PM them or now start a conversation.
However there has been some who have recently joined who have contributed good info or who seem totally overwhelmed by the intracies of loyalty land that I will do the same for them'
I will also if I have time try to help people to find awards where the info is generally available but they are unaware of the resources-ie because I belong to AA,JMB and now BA I can search OW awards reasonably easily and whether newbie or not will help when I can.

However I dont know I would call this censorship.

 

[admin]

This issue has been brought up before and has been discussed (at length!) with the moderator team.

Our view is - and remains - that AFF is all about sharing information. Provided a post meets our Terms of Service it is valid and should not be censored in any way.

AFF has never limited access to publicly posted information - any AFF member (be they paid or not) has full access to all forums and threads. (Other than the GOLD member discount offers which are available to GOLD members only).

It is obviously up to the poster to decide what information he/she wants to share. At times, it might be more appropriate not to post something publicly and rather discus it in person at one of our many social functions. Or you can communicate about it via private messages.

I realise some members might not agree with this approach, but it has served us well over the (20!) years.

 

[drron]

I've always felt the big drawcard for AFF was that the information was freely available and nothing was hidden away. While I realise deals disappear when shared, they're also not well utilised if no one knows about them.

I have said this frequently, but I believe it needs to be said again. In my opinion our greatest asset is our community, and the many social events that members can attend. At these events I know for a fact that deals are shared, loopholes explored and the community is richer for it. It's not hidden, all you have to do is attend and information is freely shared.

The problem is that some of us travel so often we are not around for social events!

 

[Vic]

Interesting discussion based on an interesting example.

Why should people who take the time to experiment with possibilities have there hard work and risk shut down because people are indiscreet? Openly discussing something in detail is pretty poor form. People who find loopholes are going to be less inclined to share them in future if they keep getting killed off because of indiscretion. Where is the benefit to members if people who know things just will not share them?

 

[burmans]

However there have been some who have abused that.One I particularly remember pushed things hard resulting in the disappearing of some useful quirks in loyalty land.They did not ever inform others of anything they found but would just boast.

The individual still lurks from time to time!

 

[LadyC]

I think it is important to remember that this is not the only forum on which these things can be discussed - so whilst AFF members may be discreet or decide not to share - it doesn't mean these benefits won't be 'enhanced' anyway.

 

[Deleted member]

One almost needs a “Dark” thread for the really secret stuff.

 

[Boca68]

One almost needs a “Dark” thread for the really secret stuff.

I thought there was anyway?

Don't paid up AFF members have a private forum? If you pay, then its private. Or you could just pm people. If there isn't, maybe Admin could look into doing that, just a thought. (BTW, I'm not a paid member, looked at it, but the benefits/freebies/ discounts mostly had anyway)

anyway back to Daver6's question, its the risk you run with an open forum. Whilst you might be slightly peeved at the (possible?) outcome, others are happy to know. Its all about sharing on a forum. It has its pro's and con's.... as they say.

 

[samh004]

The problem is that some of us travel so often we are not around for social events!

I dream of travelling as much as you, and hope to pick up your tricks so I can one day enjoy the luxuries you take for granted when you travel!

One almost needs a “Dark” thread for the really secret stuff.

As the post above yours points out, all it takes is one person in that dark thread to tell someone not in the thread and it all starts unravelling. Nothing stays secret forever, not these days.

I thought there was anyway?

Don't paid up AFF members have a private forum? If you pay, then its private. Or you could just pm people. If there isn't, maybe Admin could look into doing that, just a thought. (BTW, I'm not a paid member, looked at it, but the benefits/freebies/ discounts mostly had anyway).

Nope!

See post #4.

 

[drron]

The first trick Sam is never take anything for granted.
The second is to do something you really like and pays well.
The third trick is to keep working.I am 71 and today I have started the next 8 week working stint.

 

[codash1099]

One almost needs a “Dark” thread for the really secret stuff.

Well, maybe some things could be restricted to paying members. Whether that's a dark thread or not is open to question.

It may result in more paying members, which should please admin.

 

[kpc]

I'm in 2 minds.....great tricks / promos etc come to light on AFF often by an innocent comment / question by a newish member but discussing it to dearh on an open forum brings it to an abrupt end ala the vouchers dbl SC promo.

 

[kpc]

The third trick is to keep working.I am 71 and today I have started the next 8 week working stint.

i admire you....I hope to be long retired by then

 

[oz_mark]

Loose lips sink ships..

If someone comes along and doesn't respect fight club, there's not much you can do about it.

So, in the end, I say 'Make hay while the sun shines'

 

[drron]

i admire you....I hope to be long retired by then

But we wanted to travel in Style.
Helps that I really do love what I am doing.

 

[JohnM]

I'm in 2 minds.....great tricks / promos etc come to light on AFF often by an innocent comment / question by a newish member but discussing it to dearh on an open forum brings it to an abrupt end ala the vouchers dbl SC promo.

And dare we say anything about the sharing of paying the ATO using credit cards (and, ahem, the 'accidental' abuse of that)? It was only a matter of time before the CC companies and banks were going to put the kybosh on that.

 

[Captain Halliday]

I’m also broadly in support of keeping things as open as possible. But I also self declare being a member of a dark thread. Edit: in other words, I use PM/conversation function when discretion is required.

One of the difficulties is that people don’t know what they don’t know. Some of the posters asking questions about the flight deposit method had low post count which I suspect is an indication they are new to the FF/status/points game. So I doubt they even realised what they were doing.

A couple of suggestions:

1. Members who know how things work could jump in quickly with a PM to gently point out a perceived indiscretion, yet still offer to help. I know in my early AFF days I was asked to delete a post or two by members who felt I was letting the cat out of the bag on certain things. To their credit they also taught me a thing or two.

2. As we love a good acronym on AFF, perhaps we should have one that would indicate deals that should be discussed in a discrete manner. Perhaps we mark them NFP and people can contact the poster via PM for details. The OP can then make a call case-by-case.

And as I type this I realise that dot point 2 completely contradicts my opening line. Oh it’s such a vexed issue.

 

[oz_mark]

2. As we love a good acronym on AFF, perhaps we should have one that would indicate deals that should be discussed in a discrete manner. Perhaps we mark then NFP and people can contact the poster via PM for details. The OP can then make a call case-by-case.

Or talk in riddles, like some of the fuel dump folk do!