[morgante]

> It corrupts everyone and everything down to each penny, on every transaction.

I'd love to know how I'm supposedly being "corrupted." I've never once carried a balance, but have flown thousands of miles for free.

[lotsofpulp]

There is no such thing as free...you simply flew thousands of miles paid for by paying an extra 1 or 2 percentage points for everything.

On the other hand, if you did not fly thousands of miles using miles and points, and you still paid the same price as the cardholders, then you helped pay for those who did fly around for free.

[morgante]

The value of the points to me exceeds the transaction costs.

For example, I willingly pay a 1.8% fee to pay my taxes via a credit card. I end up getting back 5-10% in bonuses.

[chinathrow]

> I'd love to know how I'm supposedly being "corrupted."

Yes, corruption might be a too strong word here. The way I see the whole rewards system is that the users actually got paid in order to use their payment method again and again. They pay you. They bribe you, the incentivse you and eventually, it corrupts the way you're spending.