I could have saved the money and not gone to Orlando and still got the miles I needed. Here is part of an e-mail I received to day from Northwest Airlines.
“On behalf of the 40,000 employees at Northwest Airlines, I would like to extend a sincere apology for the flight irregularity you experienced. Travelers expect us to provide dependable and reliable service and we failed on this occasion.
Northwest Airlines would like to take this opportunity to apologize for the disruption of Flight NW1224 on June 30. Furthermore, we regret to learn you experienced a previous interruption on June 28.
We value you as a Platinum Elite customer, and for that reason we have added 11500 WorldPerks bonus miles to your account.”

I am in Orlando. I flew down last night and am flying home this afternoon.
Am I here working with Brad performing? No
Am I here leading a retreat for youth ministers? No
Am I here working one-on-one with a client? No
Am I here taking a class or on vacation? No
Why am I here? Frequent flyer miles
To fly to China with team Farmer to get Ava in the fashion I am accustomed I need 240,000 miles. On Monday of last week I realized after exhausting ever option of getting miles into my account I was still 3800 miles short. So the scramble began to find a cheep flight (one week out) anywhere.
After finding a cheep flight to Orlando I need to find a place to stay. Tolled the internet to find a cheep hotel near the airport with a shuttle. Called said hotel to ask about the shuttle. “We don’t have a shuttle because we are in the airport. Come out of security and take a right.”
My room is overlooking security. Breakfast was in the airport food court. Since I entered the airport at noon yesterday I have not been outside. Meaning I have traveled over 1000 miles, slept through the night, eaten three meals, and showered with out going outside.