Legend 1011, I am kinda/sorta in the same boat/plane as you . I do not fly much anymore,but still want my miles. I discovered this board AFTER I stopped flying , but as almost everyone here has already said, get the Starwood card from AMEX.
And by all means read ,read, read !! There is a ton of infomation here on almost every conceivable facet pertaining to travel.
Good Luck.
P.S. I really loved those L-1011's