I'd like to add a caveat or two in regards to my OP.

Those miles earned, for such cheap prices, were a result of many, many hours spent on FT and pricing out fares, mainly via trial and error. I remember on one mistake fare (YYZ-FCO-LCA in Business for $300 RT), I spent nearly 6 straight hours going back and forth between finding dates and routing and getting further info on the airline(s) involved. I didn't sleep that night, and was near useless at work. On the flip-side, three months later, I was sitting comfortably on my way to Europe (did it 3x's on that fare).

Another experience would be flying a red-eye out after work, sleeping less than 4 hours in a cramped economy seat on the plane... landing at IAD, getting a coffee, hopping onto a plane to JFK, head out to the city to meet a friend for lunch, and go back to the airport for a flight home the same night. Or possibly land at some airport late at night, find a bench or chair, sleep for a few hours till the first flight out the next AM (or get kicked out by security), and get back on a plane to go home.

In addition, I live in a location where cheap airfares come by on a semi-regular basis. That may not be the case for everyone and I know for those unfortunately stuck with only one carrier, it isn't necessarily possible to travel so cheaply.

So, what I'm really saying is, while it is great getting those high value award seats, I've had to go through a lot (in time and opportunity costs) to get them. I don't want to paint these awards to anyone with rose colored glasses, and then have those people become disillusioned once all the sacrifices and time/money becomes apparent.

Of course, the best gig to have is a job that pays you to travel (in first or biz, preferably), so you can then enjoy the miles on your employer's dime (I believe many of our fellow FT'ers do).

Regardless, good luck to your new hobby! I gave up my golf to focus on things to do from FT (mainly travel on the cheap)