Originally Posted by
ceverett
I try to get out of the country a couple of times a year, and I have some flexibility to do MRs, though I would need a double or triple mile promo to reach top tier status.
If you only want a few trips a year save the money you're blowing on mileage runs and just wait for premium cabin sales. Also, focus on free and cheap offers for miles (e.g.,
Pile on the Miles from DL/NW,
NW 10,000 mile shopping bonus,
40,000 mile Grand Slam bonus from US), eventually you'll build your accounts up to get free biz/first awards, it may take a few years, but that's alright, you may be surprised what comes along by being active in all the programs, but you should be able to earn enough to get a free biz/first class ticket every year or two on various programs that way.