What is it worth to you?

If you travel very much, you know what a hassle it is to keep up with travel loyalty programs. You want to take advantage of available rewards, verify credits and avoid unexpected expirations. On the other hand, you don’t want to spend your weekends logging into one site after another to accomplish this. To solve the problem, I started using AwardWallet last year after evaluating available solutions. Setup was easy (similar to applications like Mint, etc. if you such for viewing financial accounts in one place). The interface is sufficient and the consolidated information is a real time saver. I liked the fact that the plus version, which includes additional info for each account, was free, although they asked for me to contribute what I thought it was worth. I paid $10 and was happy to do so. Now, six months later, I get an email saying my plus account is expiring. I need to reactivate it to keep it alive even though I logon all the time (I use an iGoogle widget to keep an eye on it). The same contribution option appears, but this time I don’t up the ante. It’s worth $10/yr to me, which I’ve already contributed. I put in zero and hit submit. Here’s what I got back:

Apparently, they’ve determined that asking what it’s worth to me is equivalent to saying, “It’s worth $5, but you can contribute more, although not less.” Those aren’t the same requests or options. If you put yourself out there with a free or “what is it worth to you?” model, then do it. If you’re nervous, then don’t make the offer and require a minimum payment, with an option to pay more. I doubt anyone will pay more, but you can always ask. Those are your options. Reminds me of the time an employer told me they’d pay me hourly unless I went over 40 hours. Then they’d pay me a flat salary rate for that period, though at the same hourly rate X 40 hours. Aside from violating federal employment law, the “option” was nothing of the sort and was entirely selfish. I rejected their magnanimous offer. They decided to change their policy. Hope AwardWallet does the same – you can’t have it both ways.