We have done the JFK thing but it is a 3hr ride for us, plus additional expense for a care service. Worked well with a large crowd so we didn't have to worry about connections etc. Not worth it for 2 of us.

We do have a rewards cc now but $ don't add up as quickly as the miles did for AA credit card. After a year and tens of thousands of dollars going through the card we barely have enough $ for one flight. May have to continue shopping cards!