There are a million benefits. From never having heard of this website 6 weeks ago, I am now planning a 30,000 mile run for a weekend in Dusseldorf and/or Frankfurt Germany if the timing allows, on:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/000474.html

and have just proposed an F.T. Around The World Flight for anyone interested, on the first One Airline (UA) operation to offer it this century on:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum50/HTML/002428.html

Apart from other wonderful bits of input and great knowledge, I have just worked out how to completely and legally get myself upgraded and confirmed in my favourite seat 15B on a Jumbo from SYD-SFO-JFK-LHR in both directions (=30,000+ paid miles) for absolutely no cost to me instead of the 100,000 points it should have cost.All due to the superb input and advice of one board here, so the info to be learned and shared here is astounding to keen Frequent Flyers. Long may it reign, and long may the "Mileage Moron" type Trolls and his alter ego he seemed to change to soon afterwards, stay well away.