Most importantly: Exactly. In other words, if I’m understanding it correctly, you could earn and spend (for example) 990,000 miles and then with your next 10,000 miles earned, get lifetime status even though you only have a balance of 10,000.

Doing many of the things that are discussed in these forums:

- BankDirect. I’m fortunate enough to have the funds to maintain significant balances in 2 accounts there, one solo, one joint. (I sure hope they don’t limit it.)

- Citi Credit Cards. Personal Mastercard Oct 09, 25,000 bonus, first year free. First statement had solicitation for linked AmEx, 5,000 bonus, which I got in Nov 09. Bummed in fall 2010 when 100,000 bonus personal applications were rejected. Decided to start a business, 100,000 bonus business card, sole proprietor, approved. (BTW, I called in Nov 2010 to cancel personal cards to avoid fees, rep said they could give me a “statement credit” equal to the annual fee. Since Citi churning might be a thing of the past I chose to keep the cards. As I read here a month or 2 ago “every mile on AA is an EQM”!) Called yesterday to ask about available promotions, got 2 miles per dollar for 3 months. Said they couldn't do better cause the annual fee was credited. (BTW 2, that business never did get very far, what a bummer. )

- Charity Donations. Started about 3 years ago. I was in the military so USO was a no brainer. Did a couple of others also. Just required a change in which charities I gave to (always with a credit card!).

- Citi Savings and/or Checking accounts (although as chronicled elsewhere in the forums, Citi is a pain about coughing up these miles).

- Starwoods Pref AmEx a year or 2 ago. 10,000 point bonus and 15,000 bonus for $15,000 in 6 months, used it for charity donations. $15,000 spend netted 40,000 points (10k bonus+15k spend+15k bonus) which equated to 50k AA miles with the 25% Starwoods to airline transfer bonus.

- Ameritrade add to existing account. I’ve had an Ameritrade account for many years and for the past 2 years or so I get a call every few months from a local rep who wants to chat with me. I called him last fall and said I’d be interested in adding to my account if he could get me approved for an airline program even though I’ve gotten those promotions in the past. At the time there was a Delta promotion, met with him and said I’d “really prefer” AA. He made some calls and made it happen. 5 minutes of paperwork and a month later, 75k miles to my AA account, for transferring some mutual fund positions that I’ve owned for 10 years and will probably own for another 10 years.

- Fidelity. Had an account there a few years ago, probably miles thing. Went to the local branch last month and asked if I could take advantage of the “miles for account opening” promotion. Rep looked in the computer and said no record of prior account and I could do the promotion. Transfer completed yesterday, hoping to see the miles in a week or 2. (Also some mutual fund positions that I’ve owned for many years)

Like I wrote, all the ways to do it are in this forum. Each of us has his/her own way of making it happen. I’m single, with no business travel or spending, so my credit card spending is not that high. (Although I think I've finally convinced my sister, who hates credit cards cause she got into some trouble with them years ago, to let me charge some of her expenses and she'll pay me back by check or cash. I think I've finally convinced her to let me use some Delta miles to upgrade (if I can, it's a group trip and unknown availability) her for a flight to Europe next month. She's a fearful flyer so any talk about flying is difficult.) On the other hand, I’ve been working and saving for a while so my assets are significant.

Hard to believe I inspire anyone but thank you very much.