I tend to save my miles for vacation usage. Last year, I used my miles to take my girlfriend and I to hawaii ( great deal too....it was 55000 miles for two coach tickets on hawaiian airlines using American miles) and this year I am using some contiental miles to go take us to Cancun. I have also used 4 tickets to fly cross country last year. While I love to use my miles to vacation, I have also given away my American VIP2 certificates (upgrades to anywhere American flies) to friends on their honeymoons. I find that people are so grateful for little gifts like that.