This thread has touched on a raw nerve it seems with some, or at least has brought out an underlying debate that I suspect is common to most such online forums/groups.
Each person has their own usage, but I suspect mine is not very different from many of the more enthusiastic members.
I probably spend almost an hour a day on this site, partly to learn tricks, partly to "socialise" from afar with intelligent people who share passion for travel, partly to see where I can "give back" to the AFF community by sharing my own experiences. It is my relaxation, my hobby. And I know that if I have a question, people will have me an answer/experience/tricks/advice on this forum of a quality that I could not dream about getting any other way.
For a yearly membership of $50 or whatever it is, this works out to 13 cents per hour. ABSOLUTE PEANUTS for what I gain from it in knowledge and enjoyment.
A few years ago, only due to this site, I managed to fly with my family in the "first" seats in that old beautiful Wunalla Dreaming 747 as we made our historic family move to South America. It was FANTASTIC! Wrangling those special seats is something my wife and children will never forget. I would never have achieved that without AFF knowledge.
Put a value on that? THOUSANDS $
Made me want to be a member (paid) for life.
And that was just one thing....