I'm just getting going on my miles extravaganza. My goal is to finish collecting a bunch over the next year in order to afford a bunch of vacations while in business school soon after. Is that a good goal?

Here's where I stand now (not terrible, I think?):

170k Amex
82k Chase
19k Southwest (spent about 80k on ski trips this winter)
52k Delta (planning to redeem for 1st class saver trip somewhere across country)
110k AAdvantage

and 3K United, US Airways, and Jetblue. So in addition to general advice, my one other question is if there's any way to redeem those 9k miles that are spread out because I don't think I'll end up with a sizable amount at any of those airlines. Can I get gift cards?