First things first...I love this forum!!!

Having said that, I am a fairly new traveler. I don't have a status anywhere on anything. The only person who knows me by name is the girl who keeps my dog while I'm gone, and the guy at RDU FastPark who keeps asking me for my number. Hoping over the next few months to combine my growing love of travel with some work assignments (oh, and I am looking for a new job that requires me to travel more, if anyone has inside info).

My point balances are ones that 75% of you would heckle at. I have balances in (sorry, I haven't learned all the acronyms yet) DL (8K), United (3K), AirTran (2), Midwest (2K), and UA (5K). As you can see, my highest amount is with DL, mainly because they offer the cheapest and most regularly scheduled flights out of RIC/RDU/DCA. I also have my HHonors account (~19K) linked to DL. Also, I usually tie my car rental to DL as well.

I have been reading here a lot lately about the distaste and disgust with the SkyMiles program. I have never had any bad experiences with DL, just want to make sure they will benefit me in the long run. Should I stick it out, or should I try to focus on building a balance with another program? What can I do with the 8K in my SkyMiles account? I only fly occasionally, about twice every other month mainly to OMA and IAH, but will have way more hotel stays than RT flights.

I know FTers probably see 10 of these a week, but any insight would be appreciated.