Originally Posted by
mpcookson
I guess I won't be using any miles I earn this year to upgrade my trips this year
Welcome to FlyerTalk
mpcookson ^
I think you might still be a tad confused here. If you redeem miles for an award ticket, then indeed you will not earn status miles (EQMs) on that trip. However, tickets you buy with $ can be upgraded using miles, and they will still earn EQMs.