I've been lurking on flyertalk since I realized I was in striking distance of ExP and have been looking for the cheapest least painful method for getting there. I'm in DC every other weekend so it was relatively easy to do the coast to coast deal on Halloween day ($166.40 for 9680 miles). The gate agents at LAX won best dressed hands down, especially ours who was the 'Queen of Denial', but she got us in first class with food since she thought originally there wouldn't be any, but she fixed that. I priced alternatives for awhile before I decided on the Frankfurt trip to go over the 100K top (which hasn't posted the DEQM yet). I would have preferred Rome or Paris, but there were no deals there. It would be nice if the miles would post before my PR trip on the 1st, but I doubt it'll happen - I've never known AA to be quick on anything other then prices increases.