-When was it the best it has ever been?...
was it last year, was it 2001? or maybe way back?

I wanna know when people think the whole miles and poinst game was at its best and maybe hear a few examples too

So go for it; and kindly onsider these things or add on some more or even alter my question(s) if you feel there is a better way to put it out there:

-When did the points and miles you could earn actually be veiwed as the most valuable they have ever been?

-When did getting a free ticket actually mean just that?

-When was it both easy to earn and easy to burn?

In my opinion, much has tightened up and changed for the harder (to redeem) in 2003, but the earning possibilities are enormous, indeed.

For me, I keep thinking that maybe 1-2 years ago, the earning potential was great but it was still rather easy to actually get award travel and fly.

Several years ago, you could walk up to an airport desk and give them a certificate for free award travel you had eventually earned, and just get on a plane. BUT it was much harder to earn in those days too.

I mostly fly economy and not very often on the same carriers. So by the time a person like me actually EARNS enough points, things have inveriaby changed with that carrier's award structure. Thus, it can be a frustrating and never ending chase of a game. I almost NEED promos like that BA Jaguar thing to thrust into a certain level of needed mileage (just to see them up thier anti as well)

On some airlines, by the time I get there, several 'blocks' of these earned miles are nearly about to expire! (Singapore Airlines does not continue your whole account balance just because of new activity within some 3-year period... I currently stand to lose over 10k of older mile earnings if I dont redeem by Sept 03 and yet I only recently GOT to 25k on that airline!)

------------------
If speed is not your thing, distance may as well be. Enjoy and embrace it all!