Don't forget some airline programs have a double dine program giving 10 miles per dine for up to five dines by the end of March. And, yes, the miles seem to post more rapidly now, though the bonuses like the double miles often require more steps (in this case, rating the dine within 30 days of dining) and may be "swept" periodically, such as monthly and when the offer ends.

If one needs to build status, break the bill down (e.g. a drink prior to dining in the bar, on the credit card; the meal on the credit card, and oh, wait, I forgot I wanted dessert and a coffee, let's run it on the credit card!) If one were worried about this strategy, which has been reported as working several times in this forum, merely use different registered credit cards. You will be up to eleven spends in no time at all.