This was my first time around. I feel I did pretty well, considering:

• I really started taking it seriously around 10/18
• I was determined to only spend money on things that were useful to me
• I started this without having any USAir credit cards, hotel points to transfer, or needs for hotel stays/car rentals during the designated time period

My goal was 16 hits, and I ended up with 20. Funnily enough, I got the (coveted?) eRewards invitation a few days before the end, with a bonus for my first survey, which is why I decided to try to get to the next level.

Learned several things--ditto to everyone who mentioned planning ahead! I'm sure I can find a way to engineer some hotel stays, etc. I "need" during the appropriate period--or perhaps Mr. Fwoomp will be going somewhere. I'll definitely keep up with eMiles/eRewards during the year, too.

As far as whether or not the partners are getting anything out of this, one thing that I learned is that those Anna's cookies are really good! (In addition to being a reasonably priced and reliable hit.) I would buy those again, with or without the promo.

I also learned that it is possible to find items on SkyMall that are useful, in addition to battery-powered dog polishers.

Finally, thanks so much to Beltway and everyone else who posted. Being able to see what was and was not reliable, how long it took things to post, etc. was really helpful. (Oddly enough, OfficeMax, done late, was one of my first ones to post!)