I have flown ~45K/8 trips this year strictly flying for fun. I did take my first mileage run a couple of weeks ago: CLE-TPA-IAH-LAX/LAX-IAH-SDF-CLE for $235/16.5K miles including bonuses ($.014/mile). I was upgraded 4 of the 6 segments; the other two segments were on jets with only one class of service. I have purchased trips to London, Ireland and Denver for later in the year. I've also booked a reward trip to Scotland over Labor Day. Fun, fun, fun...

The wanderlust comes from being the daughter of a retired US pilot...I just have to pay for my tickets now. I guess mileage rewards and elite upgrades are the next best thing to free...