PTTravel,
thanks for your response! See, told you I was a noob. For example, I incorrectly thought they ALL would allow me to share the miles one to the other.

Seems like I always end up either on AirTran or Delta.

And I agree, but admittedly only after reading up on here, that clearly the status and perks that comes with it is very important. Just, until I ever imagined actually earning a reward, the 'cheapest' was always the most important thing as well as closeness of airport along with length of trip.

It was only after coming here and learning about MRs and seeing how for a relatively low rate, clever planning, and time spent on the MRs that one can earn the miles to fly to Hawaii (for example) that it even ever crossed my mind to do such a thing!

I don't fly for my job and have never stepped foot on a plane that didn't have a vacation reason. But I am very willing to learn and act upon that knowledge. I am at the beginning which is where we all start, but very excited to see that perhaps I could focus on one airline- do some runs-and earn 'free' tickets to Hawaii, which is probably a best stated first goal for me.

I literally have read and read but unfortunately some of the abreviations lost me at times. Also when reading in some of the Primer and 'beginners start here' threads some of the links were dead...

Let me ask you this if I can. I want to focus on Delta. But since I'm so new then at this point it wouldn't hurt to go with a different carrier and would want to pick a good one. Seems like so many on here to UA. They must be good. Anyways, keep in mind I am NEW lol, but love flying, how can I get my feet wet? Dont most miles expire end of year, I only have a few thousand on Delta but fly with them again in 2 weeks. Actually that may extend the miles again.

I do need to book my family to Fla in mid December too.

With the goal I have in mind can you recommend a course of action to get started? I read here holiday runs are good, I could do something any time in November. I don't want to write or ask the wrong question but am dying to pick your brains. Please tell me if I'm in the right forum category or asking the wrong things.

Again, THANKS!!