A common position and perhaps even accurate in most cases but not always. Programs do become enhanced with more partners and routes and the fares do go up (or fluctuate). I'm guessing there are more routes today you can redeem with AA miles than 5 years ago.

My approach is to use systemwide upgrades on paid fares (AA) to requalify and use miles for business/first awards on partners. My balance usually is around 400,000 miles in the primary account and 150,000 on a couple other carriers/alliances.