Shop Till You Fly

Airlines have tried to address frequent fliers' ire over the difficulty of redeeming miles. Last month, United Airlines launched its Mileage Plus Choices Visa card, which is similar to Capital One's No Hassle Miles card because it claims that earned miles can be redeemed for any flight, anytime, with no blackout dates or seat limitations. Delta has a similar deal with its co-branded American Express card.

Travelers who carry a large balance on the airline-sponsored cards may want to think again. Most of the co-branded cards carry high interest rates of 18 to 32 percent. So interest expenses can rack up if big balances are carried over month to month.

To reduce costs, many companies have cut back on the number of trips they allow their employees. As a result, frequent fliers are feeling the crunch, particularly those who had gotten used to building up points for first- or business-class upgrades or free trips. So some have found creative ways to build their balances.

Ann Scharpf of Huntingtown, Md., scouted around for about 40 friends, neighbors and co-workers who were willing to help her pump her American Airlines Citibank card. She would use her card to cover their groceries and other necessities if they would reimburse her.

Within two months, Scharpf was paying co-workers' car insurance. And on Saturday mornings, she would buy grocery-store gift cards on her credit card totaling $100 to $800, then hand them over and collect the money from her friends and co-workers. Next, she would deposit the cash and pay off the balance on her card. Once, a Citibank representative called her to inquire why in one day she had bought $1,500 at a Food Lion and then $3,500 at the Giant Food across the street.

"My husband was rather shellshocked over the whole thing," Scharpf said. "He'd shake his head as I rattle off the latest statistics and crunch the numbers in my Excel spreadsheet."

Within a few months, Scharpf racked up $2,700 in free tickets, enough for a trip with her husband to Australia.

"It was definitely worth the effort," Scharpf said. "All it cost me was some Saturday mornings and a couple hours to write 40 thank-you postcards while I watched the Australian wildlife."

Question of the Week: Northwest Airlines this week said it would no longer require passengers in coach to board by row. Instead, travelers can find their seats at their leisure. The airline says the new procedure will save time. What do you think of this change? Is there another boarding procedure that you think works better? Send your comments, along with your name and a daytime telephone number, to alexanderk@washpost.com .