The positives to being a FTer (the few that there are) is the accumulation of miles.

I have been AA Plat for the past 4 1/2 years and it took me 4 years to accumulate 500K lifetime miles. On May 1, I learned about AA Lifetime Gold status with 1M lifetime miles. Coincidentally, that is the day that I hit the half-million mark. I got focused, serious, and committed about earning the next 500K. Last week I hit the 600K mark without a single flight (25K from Kellogg's; 25K from MyPoints; 25K from Starwood; 25K miscellanous mileage certificates). I am taking three trips to EUR on AA which will net me an additional 118K before December 15; 3 domestic trips will net me appx. 50K; 100K on Diners Club waiting to be transferred; 28K in AA Certs from Greenpoints which I have to send in yet; etc.

I only use my miles on upgrade flights to EUR and to give away to friends for the weddings or engagements.

I honestly enjoy collecting them and giving them to friends equally!

Erik