the gold card idea is a good one.....however, while I have to pay for my hotel and get reinbursed, my ticket purchases are direct billed. do you still think it worth getting the gold card for additional miles?

BTW, I'm saving every single vacation day for SE Asia trip in Nov....so, I don't think I'm going on any leisure trip until next year (unless it turns out that I only need a few more miles for premier ex status.)

thanks for your replies.