Perhaps at some point the latest intrusion by advertisers into travelers lives will lead to the creation of a website called FlyerBalk.
Not FlyerTalk, but FlyerBalk, and the domain is apparently available.
Word comes that Southwest Airlines has added e-Miles as a partner in Southwest Rapid Rewards.
What this means is that members of Southwest's frequent flyer program now have a new option for earning miles -- watching and responding to advertisements.
Now, to be sure, enrolling in e-Miles is a voluntary so no one is forcing Southwest passengers to subject themselves to more advertising.
And, with airfares rising, you have to earn your rewards miles somehow.
In fact, Southwest says every time you earn 500 e-miles, you can redeem them for 500 Rapid Rewards points.
When you enroll in the e-Miles program, you indicate your interests and preferences, and fill in demographic data. You get a personal homepage and then select the ads on the homepage which you wish to view.
Participating advertisers include the likes of Groupon, iTunes, Nordstrom, Adobe Systems, Johnson & Johnson, Walmart and The Walt Disney Co.
e-Miles members view the ads they desire to see and then click to the advertisers' website to engage with the company and answer questions.
e-Miles says its members "enjoy reading and responding to advertisers' marketing messages and offers, while being rewarded for their time."
Can you imagine the joy?
For advertisers, this becomes targeting on steroids.
More than 300 data points are given up when users enroll, e-Miles says
e-Miles says the average household income of members is $100,000, 94% are college-educated and 75% are homeowners. There is a 50-50 split of the sexes, e-Miles says.
One software-maker got "1,400 B2B decision-makers" to download its new software and notched a 25% engagement rate, e-Miles says.
This type of program isn't entirely new for Southwest Rapid Rewards.
In 2011, Southwest's frequent flyer program partnered with Research Now through the airline's relationship with e-Miles' parent company, e-Rewards.
With Research Now, Southwest Rapid Rewards members earn points by participating in market research studies and "sharing their opinions," Research Now says.
FlyerBalk anyone?