Situation
From 4/97 to 9/02, I was completely loyal to American, 100% rate on flights where AA flew the city pair, and often flying to an alternate city 50-75 miles away rather than changing planes on a cheaper carrier.

I fly 35x/year for work. From late '99 through 9/11, I had enough long-haul to average 5k/month status miles for work on American. That made EXP a possibility for 2000 and 2001. In 2002 and 2003, however, 90% of my travel is to New England. For 2004, who knows - it'll depend on my next project (my role in my current one will tail off around September 2003). I might have 2 trips/year that are B/Y type fares, everything else is as low as possible on a major (ATA is not a realistic option, but living in Chicago, I have to consider AA, UA and WN)

I have work constraints on hotels, as I need hotels that will honor or beat government rate even though I'm a contractor, and need to try to stay under $125 in Boston at 2.5* or better.

I try to go to Europe at least once/year, but now that I'm out of systemwides that might become once every other year as I don't want to fly Y any more.

I've saved up for 2 J seats for a Oz/NZ/Hong Kong/Japan trip either late in 2004 or early in 2005, and 2 F seats to Europe for my parents in a similar time frame.

I take 7-8 leisure trips/year domestically, big cities, visiting friends/relatives, or finding cheap golf. Sometimes alone, sometimes with a cousin or friend. I usually buy at 4-5 cents/status mile if alone, 5-8 cents/status mile if visiting or traveling with friends or relatives.

I don't like to take mileage runs, but I will add a segment about once/month (usually on a Thursday night return home) to earn an extra 500-700 status miles. But I may do a couple of mileage runs on American this year, probably nonstop daytrips to the west coast.

Strategies
Barring the unlikely prospect of a new project west of the Rockies late in 2003, there is no way I could get back to EXP on AA in 2003. There's not enough work mileage and not enough vacation days as I try to travel no more than 122 days/year. 2004 will depend on my next project, for all I know I could be driving like I was in 1998 and 1999. So, since I can't make EXP, and AA cut my current project city to all-Eagle, I picked up a comp on UA to provide me pricing flexibility and mainline exit row seating.

My plan is to fly my 60 shortest work segments on UA, then fly 50k on American on all my longer work flights and vacations. That'll get me a PremEx/Platinum combo for 2004, which will put me in the best position to take advantage of either airline for my next project.

I have 725k in American right now, and will earn about 110k in 2003. 250k of that 825k is earmarked for my parents, the other 575k is my upgrade and free trip budget for the next five years.

I have 25k in United right now, and expect to earn another 75k this year. If UA looks stable, I'll keep enough miles there for a J award trip to Oz/NZ. Otherwise, they're going to Hilton.

The first choice for my work hotel stays are Hilton. Between work and some vacation stays, I had 36 stays and 74 nights at Hilton family properties in 2002. If I can't find a qualifying rate at Hilton and it's a 3*+ zone on Priceline, I'll go that route at the highest star level. My average Hilton room night is about $95, so I'll earn 140k this year to add to my 210k balance. My plan is to spend some of the miles in Anchorage this summer, and end 2003 with 275k towards expensive award stays in Sydney, Hong Kong, and Tokyo in 2005.

For domestic vacations, I use Priceline in big cities where I know I'll get a bargain, and Hilton/Hampton when Priceline won't work well (such as Ottawa, IL, where a 2* might get me the Comfort Inn).

My Sprint PCS miles (until March 2003) and HHonors airline miles go into Northwest, which is my backup account for family emergencies. I used 25k in September for an emergency trip for my aunt when all the airlines wanted $600, so I'm building it back up.

After years of 80% Hertz, 20% National, I switched to a mix of Avis and Budget this year - Budget when I'm by myself (I like the Ford Ranger, since I drive an Explorer at home), and Avis with colleagues. The Avis miles go into American, and the Budget points are being saved up for using on free weekends.

I have an HHonors Visa that I use only for Hilton stays and buying gas at Sam's Club. My primary affinity card is an Amex with Membership Rewards, where I spend about $2k/month. I cleaned out my balance when TWA merged with American. Those points are being held in reserve, to go to Marriott or Starwood as needed for award stays if I'm going someplace where Hilton doesn't have good coverage.