I've been active on flyertalk (baccarat0809) for longer than I've been active here, though I've got more posts here than there (go figure).
Your best bet by far is an American Express card and going with their rewards. What ends up happening is that multiple times during the year AMEX will have a special that if you transfer miles to XYZ airline you get a 20%, 30% or heck even a 50% bonus. You can not only use that bonus for RDM (redeemable miles), but in some instances you'll get MQM (or EQM, depending on the airline) which are the "status miles", or butt in seat miles, that you earn by flying the airline. AMEX had a special at the end of last year that if you transfered 50,000 Rewards points or more to Delta, not only did you get an extra 50% bonus RDM you also got 25,000 MQM, which is enough for Silver Status.
With Silver Status you no longer have to pay to check bags, get much better seating (exit rows) and you even qualify for free upgrades on a space available basis.
Just this last Friday I passed the 1 Million Mile mark at Delta (took me 13 years to do it), which basically means I've flown Delta for over 1 MILLION miles ... while I'm Diamond status now, the 1 Million Miles gives me lifetime Silver status should I stop flying. The "perks" of status can be great. Although I've only purchased coach class tickets, I've flown in First Class for probably 925,000 of those miles. Flying upfront makes the world of difference when you spend as much time in the air as I do.
Anyway, PM me if you have any questions and I'll try to walk you through it. Happy Flying.