I have long advocated this strategy (for relatively high mileage collectors), but for different reasons. In my case the reason is being able to find availability from one of several airlines.

Also - AA gives lifetime elite for 1M miles collected (from all sources) so it is worthwhile to designate AA as your secondary airline if you can hit the 1M target.

As an exception - I'll take affinity miles on my primary airline if there are associated bonuses.

BTW - I've always redeemed saver awards too.

[This message has been edited by PG (edited 11-13-2002).]