I tend to hold onto my miles until I have enough to take an international trip. I don't fly that much so it takes a long time to earn enough. I booked LAX-NBO for a safari with friends to Kenya/Tanzania last year. This year i booked SFO-DEL for a two week trip through Northern India. These are all in coach. Since it takes me a long time to earn milles, my thinking is I'd rather go twice in coach than once in first class. Makes for a long, tough flight, but worth it all the same.