Just wanted to pop in and sort of introduce myself and say a huge thank you to the founder, the mods and the knowledgeable posters whose writing I've been reading now for the last several hours.

I am obviously a newbie (number of posts and join date make that clear) but I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time here ...

I am about to make my very first MR a week from Monday and before today I didn't even know there was a name for it!

Realized that I was going to be 1200 miles shy of Silver on US Air (I know it sounds like small stuff in comparison to what a lot of regulars here have, but I think it will still be a good first step).

When I told my co-workers about it, they all had the same reaction: "So where are you going to go before the New Year to get the bump?" And they ALL agree it is totally worth it (we all travel a LOT for our job).

My husband thinks I am stark-raving mad but he doesn't travel much for his work.

So I'm flying down to Florida to do my holiday shopping at my favorite mall and when I come back I'll be Silver

And now the sky is the limit ... who knows, next year at this time I could have worked my way up to Platinum at Marriott (I think I have a good shot at that one) and whatever the next step is with US Air (our winter vacation is to the Virgin Islands on United so I know I can get partner miles for that, a good start!!!)

So again, thanks in advance for the advice, words of wisdom and just plain assurance I'm not nuts ...