What happened
The author reflects on the 20-year evolution of the miles & points hobby, arguing that while it has become more mainstream and lucrative, it is also less 'fun' due to increased monetization by airlines and broader audience saturation. Key trends discussed include the shift from niche bulletin boards to social media, the influence of younger generations valuing travel, and the impact of lucrative credit cards. The piece contrasts past opportunities (e.g., Aeroplan stopovers, Lufthansa first-class availability) with current challenges (e.g., shut-off availability, smarter airline monetization), concluding with thoughts on the future direction of the industry