The new electronic tickets are a boon to travelers - no more lost tickets. However, if you don't get credited for your miles, proving it later is made just a bit trickier. Hang on to your original receipt. You might have to ask your travel agent to mail it to you, something they occasionally don't do automatically with e-ticketed passengers. The rules and conditions of frequent flyer programs are dizzyingly Byzantine once you scratch the surface.
Savvy flyers can take steps to wring the most out of the system.
Use them or lose them . In 1995, most airlines revised their frequent flyer rules substantially. One of the more draconian measures was expiring miles after a certain number of months, usually 36. For infrequent travelers, this may mean they never get a free ticket. Instead, go for the lower-mileage awards, such as upgrades.