Wow thank you everyone. Here's some additional thoughts to your responses:

Age: Yes, I am in my 40s, debt free. Rare, I know. Not a trust fund kid - self made. Live within my means, happily married, and sleep very good at night.

No debt: My parents are retired and have a lot in debt, including 250K on their house. They live outside their means as do my siblings, friends, and coworkers. I don't want to live like that. I own investment properties free and clear, and the rent paid goes straight into my retirement account. I will retire with dignity.

Credit worthiness: Trust me, I can get credit. Last report pulled was 820-850 FICO range. I get offers for credit cards weekly. No interest...I suppose this 'fool' is proclaiming myself debt-free. It is for religious reasons.

With regards to alaska airlines: My card is silver. It may be old. I think it is status of 'blue' or something - not MVP. I was previously. It will be hard to maintain 25K miles with them per year, as trips from BOI to SEA are 90 minutes at the most. I would probably have to take one trip a week all year to reach 25k on that route. Furthermore, those planes have 3-4 seats wide max and are all turbo props. No seat is comfortable, but the flights are short.

What I have considered is rather than paying for the cheapest tickets, paying a few extra bucks for the 'business class' tickets. Some give you twice the miles/points, and it is under my customers' threshold for a flight. On some carriers, that may mean better seating closer to the front.

Perhaps I shouldn't try so hard to gain status on airlines, but rather focus on the hotels, then. The difference in booking a flight for 3 days or for 2 weeks is the same price usually for me...it's the 200 per night in a hotel that adds up so quickly.

Of the airlines I most travel, perhaps it would be best to stay with Alaska, Southwest, and United. If there are surveys I can fill out to keep those alive, I can put my kids to work.

Still open to suggestions that are not credit-card related, please. I really appreciate your responses so far!