Quote Originally Posted by Cheexsta
That does happen. Try offering one thing at a time; trade rights first, then alliance, and finally an exchange of maps. No money needed.
On the map exchange: I have noticed that if you have equal or more territory than a neutral group they will always accept a map exchange. Though if I am allied with a faction and offer a map exchange, they will replace their map info for money and never give up map info to me. I always have to ask for map info before asking for an alliance.