Just another welcome....

I may be on the other side of the world.. but like you I travel ONLY for recreation... never for work. From what I've learnt here on FT I adjusted my travel to maximise the benefits.... hit "Gold" on my FF program in the first year of using those tips... and requalified easily this year for 2010...

I am spending more on the travel (natch) ... but the benefits -to me at least- are worth significantly more than the extra costs...

..like having flown 75% of the time in Business class this year instead of Coach! ^ At less than twice the price of the cheapest discount Coach travel. Lounge access..... priority for upgrades clearing etc... got to love it....

Good luck....have fun!