Burning and earning are not mutually exclusive. I burn 'em (got a couple of biz seats to Turkey a couple of days ago--with a stop in Spain, for August, amazingly enough).

But, I also use the Citi card and fly AA on paid tickets.

I don't save my miles for a rainy day, though. Cause it is pouring.

By the way, I'll be in NYC soon. Is turning AA miles in Hilton Pts for a NYC hotel good value compared to internation biz or F?