Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I know it was long, but I kind of felt like I was on the cusp of beginning to understand the mileage plan, and needed some feedback.
I'll read through the info on the 2nd link you provided and try and wrap my head around it. It's important to me, as I will be travelling more in the next few years.
Not to take this too much off topic, but as far as I know, Alaska is the only airline to fly SEA to MCO non-stop. This is especially important from mid-August to end-September when Disney World has their free dining promotion
to boost attendance. Makes going to Disney World almost on a par (dollarwise when compared on a day-for-day basis) with Disneyland.