I've never hoarded miles or hotel points. I'm more of a last minute traveler and very flexible. Because of that, I've been very successful at getting standard award tickets. I'm a NW flyer having been in their elite program for going on 10 years....nearly all platinum. This past year I was bumped back to silver....whoa....they treat you like crap unless you're platinum...LOL. Now I'm back to gold and will most likely make platinum before the end of the year. At any rate, I say use the miles as you get them....I've used over 1.5 million on NW for myself, my wife, and family. It's a great perk even with the devaluation going on. I also collect intercontinental points and I use them every time I need a room for personal reasons. Just last night I was about 800 miles shy of the necessary miles and ICH comped me the miles and gave me the room. I know it's easy to grip and complain about these programs and where they've gone....but the fact is any time you get a free ticket or room....it's FREE!!! Enjoy! BTY...I just had a nightmare flight on NW because of weather and they comp'd me 10000 ff miles out of courtesy without me even asking....NICE!

Tracy