I thought about this queston for a while and this is what I concluded:

I love the challenge of finding and earning bonuses over the standard miles earned for flying, renting cars, etc. I get a real mental "high" when I logon to a site to check mileage balance and see an increase over my last visit. You know...thrusting your fist in the air while uttering a gutteral "YESSSS!!"

However, I have no problem spending my miles either. Oh, it hurts when actually going through the process and it kills me to think that the next time I logon to check my balance, the number will have been reduced. BUT....I start thinking about my business class/first class trips to Amsterdam...Maui...Budapest...Mexico...Vienna....K odiak Island...Paris...all of the wonderful places I would never have been able to afford to see if it weren't for the free tickets. When I think back to memories of my trips, I think about the romantic meals I had with my wife, the unexpected discoveries and the wonderful people I met. I don't miss the miles once I've spent them and have traveled.

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