article on frustrations/helpful strategies on earning/using miles
 

I'm writing an article for Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine on common frustrations experienced by flyers in accruing/spending miles. I'd love to get feedback from you on the following:

* has it gotten more difficult to use your miles in past year or so? If so explain.
* are there more restrictions on using miles? Are there big discrepancies between different programs (I will be talking to all the airlines but thought I'd get feedback from you first).
* Have you experienced any benefits in earning/spending miles as result of alliances?
* What strategies do you use to maximize the earning of miles and to ensure you can use them for a ticket or seat?
* Is it difficult to use miles for last-minute ticket?
* Are some routes always impossible (i.e. Hawaii?)? Beyond the obvious--avoid holidays--can you predict when it'll be diffcult to get a ticket?
* Is it more difficult to use miles for upgrades?
* what resources do you use to help stay informed/get help with programs besides this Web site?
* Do you book tickets online because mileage benefits are significant?
Thanks for your time. Ideally, I'd like to follow up with a phone call, so if you could include your number with a response, that would be helpful.