I got started after buying a SFO-ZRH rt on DL last year for $365 during DL's crazy Europe summer sale. I'd been registered here for a while but never visited. I was randomly visiting one day when I saw the sale posted in the MR forum and bought two tickets for a friend and me the next day. After that, I started paying more attention to this place. Went big on the Expedia $200 off 3-night IHG promo and took a family vacation to AZ and FL. Then did the US TIB promo for $5k and the BA 100k miles...done a bunch of credit/debit cards offer this year (UA 50k, SPG 40k, CO 50k, etc.). Got a few vouchers from the AA QF mistake and 600 EUR off a LH bump. I love the game - I get to go to places which I've only dreamed of visiting at a fraction of the cost and in luxury I can't otherwise afford. It's a very rewarding game.

Our family has always been diligent about collecting and redeeming miles (I've been traveling frequently since I was 5) so I've always known the value, but we only got big on the credit card and bumps game sometime last year. Back in the 90s, we used to fly internationally a lot in Asia and Europe but loads were typically light and flying coach was not a big deal esp. since we were flying 7-8 hour flights and getting the middle seater in coach to stretch out on was pretty common. Now that I fly long-haul, and with the deterioration in service standards and higher loads, flying up front is definitely worth it.