Thanks Lori_Q and goodeats21 (love that show!).

I know that you can't get a reward trip and get miles (that would be an awesome infinite mileage generating machine if you could), and so far I've been buying my own flights just because it's easier and I'm trying to save up for a trip to Alaska (though United isn't the airline for that, I'm at LAX and it's the best option for most other trips).

So I can start using the miles that I accrue this year for upgrades and trips and not worry about not making Premiere Elite this year? I would hate to use miles I earn this year and miss making Elite status (it really is the only thing that makes air travel fun again) because of that, and according to Lori_Q, that's not going to happen -- right?

Thanks!