Originally Posted by 4Health

There are a lot of banks that offer higher rates on checking accounts. For example, my bank offers 4.25% on balances up to $25k. So me and my wife each opened an individual account, and a joint account, so we are earning 4.25% on $75k. Not bad, essentially a couple of hundred dollars a month. I would much rather have the money over the miles. Don't get me wrong, I'm a mile addict, but cash in the bank ($3187.50 per year) is far superior to 120k AA miles per year.