Feb 23, 2015, 11:33 pm
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]
Sep 13, 2013, 7:19 pm
#46
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA PS, AA GLD, SPG GLD, PC PLT, CC GLD
Posts: 217
I've seen several threads across FT, SD, and FW discussing these and I think it varies. However, like it's been stressed numerous times, you are taking a not-minuscule risk that you'll be caught and lose every point with the program.
Sep 15, 2013, 5:54 am
#47
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 845
what poses the least risk..transferring Chase UR points straight to a broker's airline program..or transferring to your own airline program and having broker purchase tickets in your account? It seems option 1 would put you at risk from Chase and option 2 from the airline program.
Sep 15, 2013, 6:53 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,386
What poses the least risk is, if you don't want miles and prefer cash... get and use a 2% cash back card. You can skip the intermediary step and risk of someone getting a clue and closing your account.
It's not as much fun as sticking it to "the man" by violating program terms you agreed to as a condition of accepting the miles, obviously, but hey...
It's not as much fun as sticking it to "the man" by violating program terms you agreed to as a condition of accepting the miles, obviously, but hey...
Sep 15, 2013, 8:16 am
#49
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 396
what poses the least risk..transferring Chase UR points straight to a broker's airline program..or transferring to your own airline program and having broker purchase tickets in your account? It seems option 1 would put you at risk from Chase and option 2 from the airline program.
What poses the least risk is, if you don't want miles and prefer cash... get and use a 2% cash back card. You can skip the intermediary step and risk of someone getting a clue and closing your account.
It's not as much fun as sticking it to "the man" by violating program terms you agreed to as a condition of accepting the miles, obviously, but hey...
It's not as much fun as sticking it to "the man" by violating program terms you agreed to as a condition of accepting the miles, obviously, but hey...
Sep 15, 2013, 5:52 pm
#50
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 845
What poses the least risk is, if you don't want miles and prefer cash... get and use a 2% cash back card. You can skip the intermediary step and risk of someone getting a clue and closing your account.
It's not as much fun as sticking it to "the man" by violating program terms you agreed to as a condition of accepting the miles, obviously, but hey...
It's not as much fun as sticking it to "the man" by violating program terms you agreed to as a condition of accepting the miles, obviously, but hey...
thanks...but next time either answer the question or don't respond..
a 2% card has nothing to do with huge sign up bonus miles that some would like to sell.
Sep 15, 2013, 5:55 pm
#51
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 845
that makes sense...a shut down of an airline program is no biggie for me...there won't be any miles left to confiscate... and if I ever did need that airline again, that's what spouses are for..lol
Sep 15, 2013, 7:24 pm
#52
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
Programs: AA, BA, UA, Spirit, Delta, PC Plat, SPG Gold, HHonors Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,735
I believe he answered your question just fine. If you don't like to travel, there are better ways of making an extra buck than selling valuable miles at 1.3 per cent.
Sep 15, 2013, 7:50 pm
#53
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 845
actually, no he didn't answer my question..and it's 1.5 cents....and no, there actually isn't a lot of easier ways than making a quick buck. Filing an application and a few stops at CVS for $750....doesn't get my easier.
I value those miles just fine thank you
Sep 15, 2013, 11:46 pm
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,386
But hey, we all get to determine where our ethical boundaries are for our "hobbies" on our own... so that's fine.
Sep 16, 2013, 11:59 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 845
You wanted to know what the least risk is. It's relatively easy to generate enough spend on a 2% cash back card that gets you $750 cash back. You also aren't entering into a contract with another party (the airline running a mileage program) under false pretenses, which is where the risk lies.
But hey, we all get to determine where our ethical boundaries are for our "hobbies" on our own... so that's fine.
But hey, we all get to determine where our ethical boundaries are for our "hobbies" on our own... so that's fine.
Sep 17, 2013, 9:32 am
#57
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 558
I think you are perhaps not in the best forum for your type of activity. While there are many helpful people here, this site is dedicated to travel. Most of the long time experts on these forums are experts at getting the best travel value out of their miles/points.
There are many sites where "flipping" miles for cash is discussed ad nauseum. This is not one of those sites.
This is not the first time that you have criticized someone for offering an answer to your question or been rude to another member:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...l#post21173093
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...l#post20360991
You are very hungry to have people feed you ideas to profit from, but so far have not contributed to the FT community. In the short time that you have been a member, you have built quite a history of being ungrateful to long time members.
I suggest that you would find this a much more rewarding forum if you engage in discussions about alternative ideas, rather than insult the people that suggest them. A 2% cash back card may not fit your needs right now, but what are you going to do when your sign-up bonuses run dry? Or on the chance that you do get "caught" laundering miles by a bank or airline?
FT is great site where you can learn things about the world everyday if you're willing to simply click a few links into unfamiliar topics.
If you're only looking to make a quick buck from your miles, there are probably other sites that are better suited to your interests.
There are many sites where "flipping" miles for cash is discussed ad nauseum. This is not one of those sites.
This is not the first time that you have criticized someone for offering an answer to your question or been rude to another member:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...l#post21173093
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...l#post20360991
You are very hungry to have people feed you ideas to profit from, but so far have not contributed to the FT community. In the short time that you have been a member, you have built quite a history of being ungrateful to long time members.
I suggest that you would find this a much more rewarding forum if you engage in discussions about alternative ideas, rather than insult the people that suggest them. A 2% cash back card may not fit your needs right now, but what are you going to do when your sign-up bonuses run dry? Or on the chance that you do get "caught" laundering miles by a bank or airline?
FT is great site where you can learn things about the world everyday if you're willing to simply click a few links into unfamiliar topics.
If you're only looking to make a quick buck from your miles, there are probably other sites that are better suited to your interests.
Sep 19, 2013, 1:48 am
#59
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego
Programs: Marriott Rewards Silver Elite, AA Lifetime Plat 4.5M, DL Medallion Lifetime Silver, DL MillionMiler
Posts: 1,263
Please don't take a chance selling your miles. It's not against the law, but it definitely is against the airlines' rules and regulations. It's fairly easy for them to spot an illicit transaction and you just don't want to chance it. Give the miles to your relatives for their exclusive use or give them to charity and you may be able to get a tax deduction. I've had considerable experience and please believe me it's just not worth even considering it. United and AA are particularly adept at determining these types of transactions and will penalize you heavily if discovered. They also have the option of canceling your account(s).