I know that on one else will understand this. But I hope they don't do this again. But then again - I do as well. I think.

After my last redemption raid (2008 for 2009 redemption) I had secured two coveted F's to Oz and 150k left in the pot. Not enought to do anything really proper. Then we were told about the sale.

I explained it to The Boss. I was given clear instructions from 'er indoors not to risk the booking and cancel and rebook. Everyone else was.

I was down at my station early in the morning. The belief emerged that I was the only person awake at that moment. I heard the floorboards creep upstairs whilst "the boss" reminded me of her sleepy presence. I logged on. My finger hovered over "cancel existing booking". And so it did several times, and kept missing. I was suffering terminal finger shake. My finger kept missing. The floorboards kept creeping. Eventualy the enter key was hit and the exisitng booking was cancelled. I now had no bookings.

At this stage I was so nervous I completely forgot how to make a booking.

I kept looking at my account. No miles. No certificate. I then logged out and logged back in. Miles plus certificate. I remade the booking. Exactly as it was. I reserved the seats I had previously vacated. I could now see us sitting there.

I now had the original 150,000 miles that I originally had in my account and now the newly re-injected same again - for those not of a mathematical bent - I then had the magical 300,000 miles. I have now rebooked for 2010. Visas (done) Hotels (done).

I sat shaking like a jelly.

The creeking of the floorboards increased and The Boss descended. I explained what I had done. "You risked my trip to Oz" she thundered! "Yes" I said meekly. "But I can do the same again next year". Her face lit up slightly in mild recognition. "OK" she said "But don't do it again". I shaked for weeks afterwards.

Do it or not, but please try hard not to tell me.

ps For those of a mathematical bent. If the redemption flights are free, and they give you half the miles back and you get the next flight free, then what is "half of free?"