Hi insaneTim - I think that you are getting stuck on how can this work financially? Here is an old article that might help explain the concept: http://travelsort.com/blog/flying-fi...-ben-schlappig

Here is also a video that helps to explain it: http://vimeo.com/7167640

In the first article, Ben (One Mile at a Time) was averaging about a $0.01 per mile in cost. Since that article was written, the airlines do not do as many promotions, airfares have risen and the earning rates have changed. Ben mentions flying coast to coast for $250 - this is now closer to $400 to $450 - and if you add segments, they increase the price.

But, you can still do some inexpensive flying. This year, I picked up a EWR-MXP for $186, and JAX-OSL for $486. These are mileage "jogs" - I use cheap fares to determine where I am going to visit.