This is my reaction to a great post from fellow BA blogger and consumer advocate Elliott:
As a travel/points blogger on BoardingArea myself who unfortunately cannot get affiliate links on my site (meaning I’m not biased), I’d have to disagree with the premise that the bloggers are to blame for the uninformed decisions of those applying.
Yes there are those who shove the latest Chase card down everyone’s throats every chance they get but come on, what happened to being responsible with one’s finances?
This is the same problem I have with people who took out ARM mortgages and blamed the banks when they couldn’t refinance their million dollar house at an affordable rate even though their reported household annual income was 50k. Those people were trying to flip a house for a profit much like a points player is trying to churn points for a free ride. Both got caught, both are unhappy and looking for someone to blame.
To be clear, this is separate from predatory lending practices that duped consumers into taking out subprime loans that no one underwriter in his right mind would approve. This has to do with irresponsible people who get in over their heads because they see “2 Free Hyatt Nights” and go out and buy a plasma TV to meet the minimum spend. In fact, if they were paying more attention to the BA bloggers and understood MS better they wouldn’t wind up in their current predicament.
As a final example, take the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) a law intended to protect consumers from overzealous debt collectors. Some consumers manipulate their debt by trying to file suit against the debt collector simply because they don’t want to pay the debt they rightfully owe. These plaintiffs who usually file pro se run this scheme over and over until it is the debt collector who is paying the debtor.
In the words of Mike Ditka, “Come on Man!”
And having just spent all this time writing this comment, I think I’m going to post it on my blog to further the discussion.
Till then,
Keep churning my friends.
#ThePointsOfLife Legal Disclaimer: Only those who are disciplined with their finances should partake in this hobby. Otherwise, you may find yourself submerged in credit card debt, staying for free in a double room that will certainly not have a view of the ocean but may have a complimentary gym.
I agree with you 100%. I just recently started playing the game, but I was always taught by my parents to never carry a balance on a credit card. I have a spreadsheet to track due dates so that I don’t miss a payment. Maybe I’m in the minority, but people need to take responsibility for their actions. There are some bloggers that I do feel are a bit shady, but for the most part I think they are all fair and disclose the risks associated with the hobby.
Spot on.
The only bloggers I distrust are those who don’t tell about the best offers, which is a disservice to newbies. Those of us who have been around a while and follow multiple blogs are unlikely to be tempted by these offers anyway.
Is there a worse feeling than getting a lame sign up bonus?!
I recently changed all 13 of my CC’s to have the due date be on the 1st of the month. Makes everything a lot easier!
I do the same. I wonder if I have to write a post explaining the obvious.
I could change the due dates, but I love watching my reward balances increase throughout the month. I might just be weird though! 🙂
Today is like Christmas for me because all my due dates are the end of the month. So I hit award wallet update all and see so many glorious changes.
But then you have to wait a whole month before you get that joy again. I’m sure at some point I’ll get tired of having all the different close dates and will switch them all to the 1st. That in itself might be a lot though even with most of my statements closing with a 0 balence. Maybe spit them and have half close on the 1st and the other half ton the 15th. Hopefully some has tried both and can speak to which one they like better.
@richard The peace of mind knowing that I’m not missing a payment when I have dozens of cards open makes it more practical but I see your point.
Thumbs up on your response to the article. Waay up! I’m One of those evil bloggers with affiliate links who is making peanuts from them. Blogging is a ton of work as I’m sure you know. Some make a killing on the links, most don’t. The ones who do happened to be in the right place at the right time, but they also have worked their butts off. Many have become corrupted, but that’s the nature of the beast.
I don’t get this hypocrisy in our little corner of the web. When you purchase a tour package from a travel agent who makes a cut on it, and then get into debt, is it the agents fault? When someone buys a knife at the store and then stabs a person with it, should the clerk who sold it be held accountable? Ridiculous. OK, I feel better now.
Precisely. Get paid!