Last edit by: aBroadAbroad
Please read this wiki before posting questions or comments.
Are they legit? Short answer: No
Virtually all award programs prohibit the sale, barter and purchase of awards and/or miles (except through channels specifically identified in the program T&C and/or endorsed by the program). Many airlines are known to audit their FFPs for such fraudulent transactions, and to aggressively enforce their programs' rules.
By definition, so-called "mileage" brokers are not legitimate. It is important to understand that they do not actually broker miles, but rather act as a middle-man to facilitate the purchase of award tickets. The seller redeems miles from his/her account for an award in a buyer's name. The broker pays the seller on behalf of the buyer. A clear audit trail is left in the process.
Consequences
If this activity is identified by the airline, the seller will lose any miles remaining in his/her account, the account will be terminated, and the seller will be banned from participating in that airline's program. The seller may also be subject to payment of monetary damages. Buyers, when attempting to travel on a purchased award, may be denied boarding at any point on the itinerary. At best, a special trip might not happen. At worst, the buyer might be stranded halfway around the world and forced to purchase a significantly more expensive one-way ticket in order to get home.
Are they legit? Short answer: No
Virtually all award programs prohibit the sale, barter and purchase of awards and/or miles (except through channels specifically identified in the program T&C and/or endorsed by the program). Many airlines are known to audit their FFPs for such fraudulent transactions, and to aggressively enforce their programs' rules.
By definition, so-called "mileage" brokers are not legitimate. It is important to understand that they do not actually broker miles, but rather act as a middle-man to facilitate the purchase of award tickets. The seller redeems miles from his/her account for an award in a buyer's name. The broker pays the seller on behalf of the buyer. A clear audit trail is left in the process.
Consequences
If this activity is identified by the airline, the seller will lose any miles remaining in his/her account, the account will be terminated, and the seller will be banned from participating in that airline's program. The seller may also be subject to payment of monetary damages. Buyers, when attempting to travel on a purchased award, may be denied boarding at any point on the itinerary. At best, a special trip might not happen. At worst, the buyer might be stranded halfway around the world and forced to purchase a significantly more expensive one-way ticket in order to get home.
Moderator Note
Please be reminded that FlyerTalk Rules prohibit posts that support, encourage or promote fraudulent activities against individuals or companies.
Posts naming specific mileage brokers and/or containing links to broker websites
may be redacted or deleted.
Please be reminded that FlyerTalk Rules prohibit posts that support, encourage or promote fraudulent activities against individuals or companies.
Posts naming specific mileage brokers and/or containing links to broker websites
may be redacted or deleted.
Mileage/Award Ticket Brokers: Are they legit? [consolidated]
#136
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#138
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#139
Join Date: Sep 2011
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Closing out an account and selling the miles seems pretty low risk. The money is in your bank account before the award flight is taken. If not just call and complain / cancel award reservation.
But who in the WORLD would buy a ticket from these "brokers" - it seems like so much can go wrong. The original seller reneges, the broker goes back on the deal, the airline cancels the tickets out - then you are left with a wrecked trip which has got to be super expensive to fix.
So I have no idea how these businesses stay in business unless some of them have really worked it out so the flyer is OK.
But who in the WORLD would buy a ticket from these "brokers" - it seems like so much can go wrong. The original seller reneges, the broker goes back on the deal, the airline cancels the tickets out - then you are left with a wrecked trip which has got to be super expensive to fix.
So I have no idea how these businesses stay in business unless some of them have really worked it out so the flyer is OK.
#140
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Over the years, I've heard more than one story of a would-be flyer showing up at a check-in counter, asked to wait and in a chat with a suited person or two, told they could fly if they purchased an available (current, walk-up) fare.
I'd never risk that, myself, and figure if I left someone out there holding the bag with miles or points I sold a broker, my karma would be the mother of all IRROPS and airline foul-ups.
I'd never risk that, myself, and figure if I left someone out there holding the bag with miles or points I sold a broker, my karma would be the mother of all IRROPS and airline foul-ups.
#141
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Closing out an account and selling the miles seems pretty low risk. The money is in your bank account before the award flight is taken. If not just call and complain / cancel award reservation.
But who in the WORLD would buy a ticket from these "brokers" - it seems like so much can go wrong. The original seller reneges, the broker goes back on the deal, the airline cancels the tickets out - then you are left with a wrecked trip which has got to be super expensive to fix.
So I have no idea how these businesses stay in business unless some of them have really worked it out so the flyer is OK.
But who in the WORLD would buy a ticket from these "brokers" - it seems like so much can go wrong. The original seller reneges, the broker goes back on the deal, the airline cancels the tickets out - then you are left with a wrecked trip which has got to be super expensive to fix.
So I have no idea how these businesses stay in business unless some of them have really worked it out so the flyer is OK.
I'm not sure that many brokers stay in business under the same name for very long.
#143
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If you are detected, the tickets will be cancelled. If miles are put into your account, you may have your account closed and lose all your miles and status.
It's not illegal, just against program rules. A good number of FTers have gotten severe sanctions for doing these things.
Not worth it, IMO.
Here's a long thread with horror stories.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
Safe travels,
Doc
It's not illegal, just against program rules. A good number of FTers have gotten severe sanctions for doing these things.
Not worth it, IMO.
Here's a long thread with horror stories.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
Safe travels,
Doc
Last edited by Doc Savage; Apr 24, 2015 at 10:31 pm
#144
Join Date: Oct 2014
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I think if you were to do it once or twice for not a lot of miles, you should be okay.
Say if you needed to top off for a ticket and only did it once.
However, the only problem is to be weary of sellers like you posted. These guys might make a ton of transactions, and this draws the eyes of the AA companies.
If you were to buy from some random guy or your firend, they will never know you paid.
But when they already suspect someone of selling miles and they see them giving miles to a lot of people, and you buy from them too, then you can be in deep trouble.
Say if you needed to top off for a ticket and only did it once.
However, the only problem is to be weary of sellers like you posted. These guys might make a ton of transactions, and this draws the eyes of the AA companies.
If you were to buy from some random guy or your firend, they will never know you paid.
But when they already suspect someone of selling miles and they see them giving miles to a lot of people, and you buy from them too, then you can be in deep trouble.
#145
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Yes, let's be clear on vocabulary. Illegal as in break the law, prosecuted by the D.A. in court, possible fine and/or prison, criminal record? No.
Illegal as in contrary to program rules, subject to sanctions by the airline such as ejection from program, confiscation of all miles, etc.? Usually.
Illegal as in contrary to program rules, subject to sanctions by the airline such as ejection from program, confiscation of all miles, etc.? Usually.
#146
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For a few miles even, why take the risk? you can easily buy a few miles directly from the airline. You won't get a good price, but for a few miles to top off an account for an award ticket you want, the additional cost won't make much difference.
#148
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