You think you're confused NOW?
Just wait until all of this starts making some sense and you realize what you're looking at. THEN you're gonna feel confused!
Seriously, like BigLar said, just keep reading, the light(s) will come on. Now, just some random thoughts based on your post.
Her credit card...her company will issue it and she will use that for most of her charges. If it is an American Express corporate card, check to see if it is eligible to earn Membership Rewards points. Some corp AMEX cards are, some aren't. If it is, sign up for MR. If not, see how strict the policy is on using the company-issued card is. Perhaps she could get an affinity card like BigLar suggested.
Focus is, indeed, key. When you have some idea of WHERE the travels may be to and from, then you can make an intelligent choice which airline would be best for her travel patterns. You mentioned travel using miles, so if Continental is an option, check the CO board on how easy/hard it is to REDEEM those miles. This may make a diff. Likewise, if Delta seems a prospect, get smart on the potential difficulties she may have (or may not have) in getting elite status with them as it's become much more complicated recently and not all are happy with the changes and restrictions.
The last things I want to mention are about KEEPING up the FF lifestyle or all of the above is moot: (and, this is just personal feelings/experience/bias, so take for what it's worth)
* If there are problems with the water heater, her relatives/your relatives, the kids, the car, what ever, don't ignore it when you talk over the phone. Mention these things, deal with them, and get on with your lives. It's okay to just "whine" occasionally!
* Talk often. I would say, talk nearly every night. Get a cell phone plan that lets you do this without worrying about your minutes. Communicate!
* Help her to make time to do family/marriage things even if she's done a 60-hour week, plus travel and is beat to death. Do whatever you have to do, but make some semblance of normaility when she's home. Conversely, make sure you have some weekends where you all do nothing but veg-out on the couch and don't hit a lick at a snake.
* Don't think that because she's been eating out every night that that would be the last thing on her mind when she gets home. Oftentimes, the last thing on her mind is gonna be waiting to eat until it's cooked, clearing the table, and doing dishes. I know it's funny, but being catered to by a restaurant will free up your time to concentrate on each other. Depends on your wife, of course, but know how she feels here.
* When (not if) she gets stranded at the airport and can't come home, let her know you are disappointed. But not disappointed in her...don't lay a guilt trip on her. But don't just say, "Oh, that's all right," because it isn't, and this might send the wrong message. You are disappointed in her not being able to come home, but you know that's part of the biz, and you know she is just as unhappy at being stranded as you are.
* Back rubs and foot massages are *always* appreciated...and I mean both of you, not just her!
I guess what I'm saying is work at making time for one another, I don't care how hard it is, you work at it, OK? It is gonna be a two-way street.
Allow me to also welcome you to FlyerTalk. Please accept my apologies for such a rambling and incomplete post.
See you in Breckenridge/Maui/LA/Wherever!!
[This message has been edited by hnechets (edited 08-11-2003).]