Willing to learn
 

I am totally new to the idea of collecting frequent flyer miles. I aspire to one day be the owner of 1 million miles, however, until that time I am asking for help from anyone who is willing to help a newcomer. I would like to start out slowly with something easy like the HC offer. I am eager and willing to learn. Thanks in advance for your help.

A good start would be MileageAddict's site:
http://www.mileageworkshop.com/

It kind of depends on what your travel profile is.

I suggest reading "The Penny Pinchers Guide to Luxury Travel". This book discusses the original intent of the FFlyer programs which is to insure loyalty to the airline concerned. In short, it's a two way deal.

I have found that it works. By flying my airline of choice, exclusively, I garner and get substantial benefits over those I might obtain if I handed them out willy-nilly.

Sometimes this results in a change of planes on my airline, when another would offer a nonstop. This is more than made up for with business class accomodations (upgrades) on a regular basis.

Keep reading the Flyertalk Buzz and you'll catch on quickly.

Cheers, Woody