Special Report: Flying high

The cost of these luxury items? Absolutely free. Going first class without landing in debt, courtesy of your frequent flyer miles.

Randy Peterson, Editor, Inside Flyer Magazine
"Forget about using miles for airline tickets."

Gil Wolin racks up 50,000 miles a year on business. He can cash in on everything, from an espresso maker to a new plasma TV.

Gil Wolin, frequent flyer
"It's amazing what you can do with the miles. Don't put blinders on."

Gone are the days where airlines simply dole out free seats and upgrades. Today they're offering rewards that have nothing to do with travel.

Randy Peterson, Editor, Inside Flyer Magazine
"It could be Callaway golf clubs. It could be a microwave oven."

How about a walk on role on your favorite sitcom? Or perhaps head to the mall with your very own personal shopper?

You can bid on these rewards through Internet auctions run by the airlines. Or log in to sky malls and pick your prizes from an online catalog.

Robin Urbanski, United Airlines
"You can have as little as 3,000 miles and bid on things such as a massage at your house or a Napa Valley wine tour."

Best thing is you don't have to fly frequently to earn those miles.

Robin Urbanski, United Airlines
"You can earn miles without setting foot on an airplane."

Credit card purchases and hotel stays are probably the fastest way to earn miles. But you can even get more creative than that!

Earn miles refinancing your home. Taking out a student loan. Giving to charities.

Randy Peterson, Editor, Inside Flyer Magazine
"There's probably only any given day 20,000 different ways to earn frequent flyer miles."

Watch commercials online. Write your own travel journals. Even donate blood.

Your balance can go sky high without you spending a cent. And once you earn them, you can start to burn them.

Gil Wolin, frequent flyer
"An upgrade or a hotel room, use of the spa…"

With just a little effort, you too can fly high in perks without having your feet ever leave the ground!

Related Links:
e-Miles
IgoUgo
United Airlines Mileage Plus Auctions
Flyer Talk

(Copyright (c) 2006 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)