[frequentflyeru]

If you really want to beat high airfare, stop buying tickets and figure out how to accrue frequent flyer miles at the lowest rate. BoardingArea.com is a good resource. Few years back, people figured out US Mint was selling gold $1 coins at cost + free shipping, so people (myself included) bought them on their mileage earning credit card and just re-deposited the coins into the bank. Some people earned $1M+ miles for free. http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB126014168569179245

[fennecfoxen]

... by exploiting the government (and in turn its taxpayers) by using their services in a manner flagrantly inconsistent with the program's aims of getting the $1 coins in broader circulation.

I'd rather find ways to do something useful and make money, instead of just leeching off society like that, myself. Maybe this is why I'll never be super-rich though :b

[r00fus]

Do these kind of arbitration opportunities still exist except as mistakes? I assume that channel would have been made unprofitable after discovery...

[fennecfoxen]

It's arbitrage, not arbitration. I believe the mint began by denying orders from people suspected of being crazy-exploitative, and ultimately terminated the program altogether. (You can still order the coins, but you'll have to pay for shipping.)

[dkfmn]

Almost every credit card changed their terms so that cash equivalent purchases no longer accrued perks.