Mileage Makeover Help
 

Like most Flyertalkers, I've become moderately obsessed with managing my miles (though not nearly as obsessed as some!!). After cashing in some NW miles for 2 free domestic tickets this week, I took a look at my FF accounts, and decided I could use some help/advice.
Here's the situation: I'm moving to DTW shortly, and my company travel will all but cease. When I do travel, my company favors UA and NW, but I'd estimate my personal/business travel will shrink to under 20,000 miles/year, at least in the short term (and I think my wife would frown upon mileage runs).
I was hoping to build up Delta miles to get 2 biz class tix to Bali on SQ (as well as top off some of my other accounts), so here's where I stand now:

United (2P): 36,000
Delta: 160,000 (also have Delta Amex)
Northwest: 6,000
American: 17,000
Continental: 17,000
USAirways: 14,000

Note that other than 12,000 HHonors points, I don't have any other hotel programs.

So... I need some advice. Should I concentrate on building up Delta, or perhaps DL and NW (since I'll be living in Detroit)??
Thoughts? Suggestions? Comments?

But.... if you're looking to get tickets to Bali, and you'll fly under 20K a year, it would take you forever to reach that with any program other than DL.

True, but I'll pick up approx. 30K miles/year with the Delta Amex card, so I'll get the 220,000 miles needed with the card alone in about 2 years (and that assumes I don't use any other partner bonuses or fly DL).

Exactly..... I thought you were asking if you should start shifting the 20K a year to NW... at that rate, it would take years upon years to earn 2 Biz tickets to Asia.

So, don't take mileage runs then ... but does your wife frown upon you flying to say, Seattle, to meet up for a gathering of Flyertalkers? How about two months from now in Chicago? And two months after that in California? Come on, I'm sure your wife will understand you want to meet all your Flyertalk buddies?

It looks like you should be fine with DL. If I were you I might try and lean towards UA simply because the connections will at least hopefully bring Premier within your reach, with maybe a few trips to see all your good Flyertalk friends in various locales. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif