Thanks, all. I do plan on earning miles by flying, but I will probably on take one, maybe two international flights per year and maybe one or two domestic flights. I am trying to concentrate my efforts with one program. I know it might take a couple of years before I earn enough miles to get a free flight which is why it would be a real bummer to find out I can't use them once I have them.

I plan on using my miles for international travel, most likely to Europe and maybe during the off season (costs 40,000 miles currently). I don't plan on using miles for upgrades. I just want to travel more.