My redemption strategy for 2004 is far less complex. It is, in a nutshell, to take advantage of United's Australia award level. I can't imagine they won't jack up the mileage required for that award in the near future, so the decision to burn 60,000 on that one this year is a no-brainer, IMHO.

Not to stray off the topic at hand, but if anyone has cancelled their Mileage Plus Visa and then applied again later, I'd be interested in hearing whether they got the bonus miles twice. Thanks.

In general, I have adopted a use-them-or-lose-them philosophy of mileage redemption whether it be for upgrades or tickets. I've always felt like banking miles year after year for emergency domestic trips is unwise given the devaluation of miles in many of the programs. If an emergency comes up and fares are high at the last minute, why not just priceline it?

But I guess if you average one or two or three such emergency trips each year, than that's another story. I just don't have that many emergency trips come up.

[This message has been edited by jmartin (edited Dec 30, 2003).]