I learned something new from the Kellogg's 8000 number that is very good news. For three brands--Corn FLakes, Low Fat Granola and Just Right--you receive 250 miles per box.

I am buying $1000 worth (500 boxes at Safeway) of those particular brands and donating them to a food bank that will pick them up at my home. I will earn 125,000 miles, worth $2500 in my book (at 2 cents per mile). With the tax deduction for a charitable contribution factored in, I expect that my purchase will cost me only $690. For that I will receive good will and $2500 worth of travel.