>> announcer: from the global e resources of abc news, with terry moran, cynthia mcfadden and bill weir in new york city, this is "nightline," november 22nd, 2011. >> good evening, i'm try moran. well, on the eve of this holiday season, your travel dollar might not feel like it goes as far as it used to, but tonight, we're

going to make some every day travel earls who found ways to fly literally around the world in first class luxury for next to nothing. if that sounds too good to be true, maybe it's because you've never seen the extreme measures these folks will willing to take to wrack up frequent flyer miles, that allow you to fly for a discount or for free. here's abc's john donvan. >> reporter: this is where rick ingersoll gets to go practically for free when he goes flying. to the front of the line at the check-in counter to the first class lounge. to cements like these at the front of the airplane, first class and business class. and the places he and his wife have gone together this year? such as -- >> this year we've gone from savannah to athens and then flew over to kroi way that, spent some time there.

then, up to split, also in croatia and then up to amsterdam and back, all in business class. >> total cost, just the taxes. $60 each. plus, 120,000 frequent flyer miles each, which sounds impossibly high. but not when you're what rick is, a frequent flyer millionaire. one who wants to teach the rest of us a few tricks on how to be that kind of millionaire, also. >> if anybody in this room applied for a credit card, primarily to get a sign-up bonus? >> reporter: like, did you know, you could get miles by the millions without ever flying? these folks are smiling because they do know that. >> most important one to be able to say is, i have never been late on a payment. >> reporter: the first method rick recommends, cashing in on credit card bonuses. lots of banks now offer new credit card holders sign-up bonuses of 20,000, 40,000, sometimes 70,000 miles or points. the more credit cards you sign up for, the more points you get.

even though most require you to spend a few thousands dollars first. >> this is the primary card that i use. >> reporter: and yes, these cards, most of them, do represent rick's current holdings of active credit cards. isn't that one of those things you're supposed to wreck your credit rating? >> everybody thinks it does but it really doesn't. every time you apply for a credit card, they do what's called an inquiry on your report. it costs between two and five points on your score. >> reporter: so not a big hit. >> not a big hit. >> reporter: rick teaches people that have shaky credit who cannot pay their bills in full every month or who are applying for a mortgage in the near future should not be playing this game. now, within the fraternity of extreme frequent flyers, it's controversial that any of the secrets are getting out. but rick started a blog called "frugal travel guy for the common man." and is holding seminars that true more than 500 people, all sorts of people, people who will get on a plane and just fly around over a weekend to maximize their mileage and to

raise their elite status with an airline. >> one day, i flew to austin to dallas to orange county, california, left the airport, spent five hours with my relatives. then got back on a plane, flew to o'hare then frankfurt, germany, sat in the lounge, frankfurt back to o'hare back to austin. >> reporter: mileage runs, those are called. or try a mattress run. lots of hotel chains offer points that can be converted into airline miles or free hotel nights. this can get extreme when people like win schafer here about a bonus at the hampton inn. >> i took my son to disney world. 13 days, 13 stays. >> reporter: so every -- swit switched hotels -- >> every night. >> reporter: every night. next method, the rental carbo news. typically, you get a few hundred points for a one or two-day car rental, but one when company

raised the bonus to 10,000 for a one-day rental, george smart went to his local airport and rented almost every car off the lot. how many cars did you rent? >> about 12 or 15 in the morning. and i would get maybe 60,000 to 100,000 miles for a very inexpensive cost. >> reporter: back to rick and our journey through the airport. by now, we were sitting first class on a parked jet that united airlines let us visit. because the point is even first class and business class comes within reach to those who are frequent flyer millionaires. as is evident by rick's trip to the far east. >> we went to china for ten days. we flew from chicago to bay thing, we saw the great wall, flew to shanghai and came back, again, nothing more than taxes. that was maybe $150.

>> reporter: in business class? >> in business class, right. >> reporter: fris in flyer miles? 110,000 miles each. but otherwise this would be a $20,000 ticket? >> oh, sure. >> reporter: easily? >> yeah. >> reporter: which would get you into united's first class lounge. free drinks and snacks. no crowds. and it's rick's view that you can be there, too. you can be his kind of millionaire. you think this is something ordinary folks can do? >> absolutely. not only can but they should do. >> reporter: extreme? perhaps. but only the tip of the iceberg of the techniques talked about. all of which, frankly, take a lot of work and a lot of study. but in rick's view, when you are settled back in the big chair, it really will see worth it. i'm john donvan for "nightline" in chicago. >> he looks like he's enjoying himself there. thanks for that, john. just ahead, lady gaga. a world exclusive preview of her performing her new song, "marry the night."

[ knock on door ] cool. you found it. wow. nice place. yeah. [ chuckles ]

the family thinks i'm out shipping these. smooth move. you used priority mail flat rate boxes. if it fits, it ships for a low, flat rate. paid for postage online and arranged a free pickup. and i'm gonna track them online, too. nice. between those boxes and this place, i'm totally staying sane this year. do i smell snickerdoodles? maybe. [ timer dings ] got to go. priority mail flat rate shipping at usps.com. a simpler way to ship. and it's your fault. instead of blaming me try advil congestion relief. often the real problem is swelling, not mucus. advil congestion relief reduces swelling due to nasal inflammation. so i can breathe. [ mucus ] advil congestion relief.

>> announcer: "nightline" continues from new york city with terry moran. >> she's a super nova pop star and a living work of art. but lady gaga can also be a down to earth working girl ready to share fashion tips, stump for her charity, trade stories about family thanksgiving. well, here she is with robin roberts and then we'll see a world exclusive preview of her performing her new song "marry the night." ♪ i'm the edge of glory >> reporter: if lady gaga is on the edge of glory, then the only word to tribe her workshop is

simply glorious. what would you have done as a 5-year-old walking into some place like this? >> well, i don't know. if everything had my face on it, i probably would have freaked out, actually. >> reporter: this face is clearly influenced by all her walks of life. and it seems like it's the evolution of you. >> i wanted there to be something for everyone and some things that are affordable and some things that are more special. there's jewelry. sunglasses. so, here's a whole press-on nail section. >> reporter: we are kids in a candy store right now. >> we are. >> reporter: here, you are find clothing that will turn sidewalks into runways to, shall we say, simple stocking stuffers. >> the grammys outfit. >> reporter: people will be putting this in their stockings. but of course, they will not be going in any ordinary stocking.

>> this is a stiletto stocking. >> reporter: and speaking of shoes. >> this is the mcqueen shoe from the "bad romance" video. so, these are all outfits and things i've worn in the past. this is my meat dress. this is my bubble dress. and here's my "telephone" cookie. robin will be my dancer. >> reporter: there we go. >> your child are know what will monsters are. you can get a box of little monsers. >> reporter: but it's not just little monsters who can find something here. there's something for everyone, even me. i got a little makeover from the fairy godmother of fashion herself. >> it looks pretty. i'm going to style it for you. >> reporter: i've been eyeing this leather jacket. may i? >> yes.

>> reporter: and you put it on and -- >> you instantly feel cooler. >> reporter: with 25% of proceeds going to her bosh this way charity, this is pure gaga. >> it's inspiring bravery and kindness in youth all over the world. it's an organization centered around anti-bullying and, my mom and i are really passion gnat about that this is our passion project. i want everyone to go around the room and say one thing they family makes at thanksgiving for dinner. >> reporter: lady gaga is passionate about her thanksgiving special airing on abc this thursday. i was amazed that you directed it. >> yeah. >> reporter: tell us about it. >> well, i've been doing videos now for awhile and working with some amazing people. so, i acquired sort of a wide palette in terms of what i like to see visually and it's been exciting for me to direct this

abc special and also to direct my new music video. so, these will be my first two solo projects. >> reporter: you're going to blow people away, my friend. ♪ i'm gonna marry the night >> reporter: what are some of your family traditions? >> i just like to be with my family. we love to eat and eat all day long with my grandma. i watch old movies and talk about the year. >> reporter: how important is it to have that time when it's just -- just kicking it and with your sister and your mom and dad and grandma -- >> well, you know, they are never gone, my other family, little monsters. they are never gone. my father refuses to change our home phone number, so the phone is just ringing all day long and it's fans and when i'm home, he always gives me the phone. i'm sure we're going to get lots of calls now. but the phone is always ringing and he goes, hold on.

it's alicia from tennessee. and he hands me the phone and i'm like, hi, alicia. oh, my god, it's really you. really sweet. but so, they're never really gone. >> reporter: for "nightline," i'm robin roberts. >> thanksgiving with the gagas. and now, as we promised, here's an extended preview of lady gaga performing her new song, "marry the night." ♪ gonna marry the night ♪ gonna marry the night ♪ gonna marry the night ♪ i don't want to cry anymore ♪ gonna marry the night ♪ leave nothing on the street to explore ♪ ♪ mama ma marry the night ♪ ma ma ma marry the night

♪ nothing's too cool ♪ to take me from you >> and that's just a small taste of what promises to be great television, airing here on abc two nights from now, a very gaga thanksgiving. thursday at 9:30 eastern, 8:30 central. up next, well, this is the wrong way to do it. as you see. and so is this. but this will never happen if you follow our turkey frying tips. ok look, when gas prices jump... you still gotta work. so suddenly you're cutting back on everything from family vacations to cell phone minutes. well here's a thought - how bout cuttin' back on gas? here's how: the ford f-150. it gets 23 highway miles per gallon. that's the best. so you can get the job done and get a break at the pump. yeah, can you hear me now? this is the future. this is the ford f-150.

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[ jennifer ] here... this is my world.

♪ this place inspires me to be tougher... to stay sharper... to think faster. they may be just streets to you. but to me... they're a playground. ♪ ...loving you ♪ 'cause i'm alive, i can breathe, i can feel ♪ ♪ i believe ♪ and there ain't no doubt about it ♪

the department of homeland security today made an appeal for public vigilance in the runup to thanksgiving, but not the kind you might think. they issued a detailed warning about cookinging turkey in a deep fryer, complete with videos depicts what can go wrong. so tonight, bill weir has tips for doing it right. >> hello, lovers. happy thanksgiving. this recipe is for all of those who want to keep the oven off this holiday and go outside, enjoy a nice, brisk autumn and also for those who enjoy a little danger. seasoning their stuffing and cranberries, the threat of a, i don't know, massive deck fire, third degree burns. now step number one is to go to youtube and type in "turkey fryer disaster." >> drop and run, dude.

drop and run. >> reporter: and there you'll see why you're going to want to remain sober and well away from your wood deck. the first mistake, all of those people made, was overfilling the kettle, so when they drop the bird, ill spilled over the top and started a fire that will burn for weeks. start by putting your bird in the basket and in the kettle and fill it up with water. you want to put just enough water to cover the top of the bird. just barely over the top and that way you know exactly how much oil to put in. so, the night before you fry the bird you want to inject it with marinade. you can buy the premade stuff, there's plenty of good brands out there. but you can make your own, using about a half pound of butter. about a bottle of beer. little bit of worcester sauce. some salt. season salt is good, too.

you can use cajun spice, you can get creative with that. but you're going to come up with a nice little marinade. and then you need one of these sort of fantastic dentist of doom syringes. pour a little bit of that in there. like that. and then b-- whoa. this won't hurt a bit. open your mouth. >> no! >> reporter: so then you stick it into that, into the leg, inject a little bit into there. in the breast. now while the oil is getting up to 350 degrees, it's a good time to remind penalties and kids they are not allowed near the frying apparatus. to be sure, i usually tie my child to a tree. top on. and about three minutes for every pound. 15-pound bird. we have 45 minutes to kill.

♪ i fell in love with a mexican girl ♪ how does that smell? does it smell done to you? as long as you don't burn your house down -- it's foolproof. gobble gobble, everybody. >> untie the child, bill. thanks for watching abc news. stay tuned for jimmy kimmel next. we hope you check in for "good morning america." they are working while you are sleeping. and we are always online at abcnews.com. we'll see you here tomorrow. >> dicky: up next on an all-new "jimmy kimmel live" -- "dancing with the stars" winner j.r. martinez. >> jimmy: now that "dancing with the stars" is over, i don't know what i'm going to watch anymore. when does the nfl season start? is that -- it did? what the hell is happening to me? >> dicky: david beckham. >>