[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

I don't dispute anyone's right to try to accumulate as many frequent flyer ("FF") miles as possible, redeem miles, etc. Indeed I was a heavy accumulator, and user, of FF miles during the days when US-based airlines had a perceptible level of civility and predictability--pre "9-11." As to using FF miles in a post "9-11" world: I sometimes wonder if people fully understand what they're letting themselves in for. If something goes wrong, and you've taken your first flight, you could, in theory, be on the hook for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars (the cost of full-fare "walk-up" tickets.) With load levels averaging around 75%+ of fare-paying passengers the only available FF seats, for most people, are at times like 5:00 AM, on a Wednesday in February, for a flight to Islip, New York, when your final destination is Manhattan. As to those “fare, plus miles” deals being pushed: Even outside the “Alice In Wonderland” terms of most Contracts of Carriage, one’s rights in small claims court may be diminished if your ticket was purchased, even partially, with consideration other than legal tender—such as FF miles. For those few "triple platnum" customers FF programs may make some sense, albeit limited, because of the absence of restrictions on usage. Also, as I indicated in another post: Are (accumulating) FF miles REALLY worth being locked-up, on a trans-Pacific flight or a flight of any length, with a flight attendant who thinks she is the Director of the Spanish Inquisition? How do you know you won't run into someone like this when you REDEEM those miles?? For those who are fortunate enough to have a sizeable FF balance with Southwest, taking a chance with their Rapid Rewards program might be worthwhile.