You can read fórums such as this one and learn heaps of tricks etc that make travel more fun, pleasurable, etc. But what I have learnt is a simple truth:
Real travel gurus, gods, have something in common: they have zero status!! They have learned to look beyond the apparent appeal of having fancy cards and noble titles. They buy business or first class tickets using points that they accumulate in all manner of ingenious ways.
I have yet to attain that skill.
Oooohhh! I want that ability! If you ever find the secret, be sure to share!