THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

MARCH 3, 2011

For travelers swimming in a sea of airline miles and hotel points or just frustrated that they can't redeem them for a desired flight, there's an alternative: Get a face lift.
Plastic surgery, big-screen TVs, iPods, lawn tractors, diamond necklaces, VIP passes to sporting events, casino gaming chips, dinner with the New York Yankees and designer handbags. The catalog of merchandise that can be purchased with miles is growing rapidly and becoming at times oddly creative.
But beware: Airlines charge customers radically different prices, depending on their status and credit card.
David Yu, who travels so much he has platinum status in Delta Air Line's frequent-flier program, figured he'd be the one to get the best prices. Using miles, he's bought a computer printer for his college-age daughter, a handbag for his wife and TV speakers for himself.

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