I think for the first time ever I am leaving a year with close to ZERO mile balance with any airline.

I've had 12 months of paying ridiculous amounts for reward redemption on DL, UA and AA. I've found DL to be the worst. I'm embarrassed to publish how many mile i'm using SJC-SLC in F. UA is a close 2nd with also ridiculous redemption rates in F SJC-DEN. With AA I've always been able to find something decent in F or J but using 1 stops instead of non stop or going out of SFO but coming back into SJC etc. For international AA has done a decent job of putting me on BA instead of their own metal with much better redemption rates and availability. UA also usually gives me a better shot on LH as does DL with Virgin.

Just remember airline miles are just like Sushi. If you don't eat it quickly it goes bad.