Originally Posted by MileKing
I don't agree:
1. You seem to imply that because someone earns a lot of miles, they don't care about getting additional miles or are not interested in redeeming your basic 25K domestic coach award. Nothing could be further from the truth. I care about every mile I earn (even though I have 3 million banked) and will redeem 25K awards if the fare is too high to justify purchase.
2. I'm fairly well off, but would never buy a business or first class ticket to Australia. That's what miles are for. I don't necessarily buy every domestic coach ticket either. As in #1, if the fare is too high, I will use a 25K award.
3. No correlation that I can see between my time and spending miles on big awards.
4. A bit of truth to this one. I like comfort AND I like to travel frequently. But again, I'll only spend miles/points if the value is there. I'll almost never redeem miles for a first class domestic ticket, but prefer F/BC for overseas trips. Less picky about hotels and will usually opt for best deal. If I am staying for more than one night, may opt for a nicer hotel.
I think your "fresh look" needs, well, another look.
As the OP said, "it depends on individual circumstances and prefences"
1 - I also have a few million and wouldn't even think of the Wal-mart, Money Order, etc., schemes to get miles - they're just not worth my time. After eagerly following my balance up to 500K or so, and never seeing any missed flights, rooms, etc., I rarely even look at statements any more. Sure, I may miss out on a few thousand over the years, but it's not worth my time obsessing over.
2, I can't figure out. If you make enough, an F flight to Oz is a drop in the bicket and miles are an irrelevant concept (yes, I'd like to be in this situation too).
3 - I too don't see the relationship. But if someone else does spend miles to save time, I'd be interested in the logic.
4 - I'll buy this one. I used to grab the cheapest Motel 6/Super 8 when it's on my dime. Now I'll at least spring for a Fairfiled/Courtyard
There is no "right" answer, but these are interesting observations to toss into the mix.