EQMs are 'elite qualifying miles' and they are the ones that elevate one's status with an airline because they are actual miles flown, for the most part. I'm currently a 1K with UA. That means that I flew 100,000 miles last year. I actually flew more than that, but those miles are EQM miles.

Frequent flier miles are those miles that you earn by flying, buying products using a FF credit card, earn additional FF miles because you fly biz or first class, etc. FF miles usually outnumber EQMs because FF miles don't necessarily mean BIS (butt in seat) miles flown.

Does that help?

Carol - yes that helps loads, thanks.

I'm going the ORD-LGA-ORD (one-day) run one more time before this promo expires. $199.40 all in.

Have fun! I've been considering it, but now I think any flying I do this month will have to be for college visits. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), I don't think DD will be applying to any schools in NYC.