Welcome to FT. Like you, I am also an IBO ^ Nice to see there are a few of us around, as I think our prespective on MR's, FF miles, points, etc. is a bit different than others.

Here's the strategy I currently use:

1. For anything in the Lower 48 US I fly Southwest Airlines. This is mainly so that I can get Rapid Rewards flights to Las Vegas. I also use their Visa CC for most purchases as this adds quickly to the accrual of Rapid Rewards. However, I am centrally located in the US, so about three hours + is the max that I have to suffer in coach on WN. In your case, you may not want to suffer coach from L.A. to NYC.

2. For flights trans-Atlantic I generally use AirFrance, business class, and bank the miles on my Delta SkyMiles account. At CDG I loiter for a day or two and then proceed on to Africa or the Middle East, again on AirFrance business class, banking on the SkyMiles account. I have Petroleum Club status on AF, which adds a few minor bennies.

3. For trans-Pacific I fly Singapore Airlines and bank the miles on KrisFlyer. I will usually fly to L.A., or S.F., on WN, loiter there for a day or two, and then fly SQ to SIN and transfer from there for intra-regional travel on other SQ flights.

4. For redemptions, other than the Las Vegas WN flights which are solely for party purposes, I use my other redemptions for what I call the "LevRev Mileage Run", which I'll explain as some future time when I don't sense a pile-on from posting.

5. I purchased a CO President's Club membership though I seldom fly CO. I use the membership mainly for the IAH lounge.

Good luck and have fun!

M8