For your NW miles: Do you have a cell phone with Sprint? If so, ever $1 is a mile. Consider enrolling in the NW Sprint program for your long distance service. It is 10,000 spread out over 6 months. (They have an 18K & a 20K but its not advertised. I only found out when I called) Apply for a NW visa. Its 5,000 when approved and 2,500 for your first purchase. (I bought a stick of gum & a newspaper) Then they match mile for $1.

If you see any discount NW flight that you need to take, buy it online for 4,000 bonus miles.

I registered for the program last spring. I've never flown NW in my life, don't rent cars under my number or anything else. Just the Sprint program & the visa. I now have 40,000 miles without trying.

Just some thoughts.