Until recently, I've been a user - the economics made sense in the days of $1800 transcons in Y w/o Saturday night stay. Now, tho, if domestic awards are available, it's likely that I can probably find fares of $300 or less, so I'm hoarding. For many years, I distributed my flying among lots of carriers so it was hit or miss with status; now I'm UA 1P so it's hard to turn down the lure of EQMs and double miles to take an award flight. Hope to be able to take the family to Europe in C or F next year by burning miles, but it's a real challenge to find available award flights.