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]
Dec 7, 2013, 10:10 am
#79
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 240
How do the miles buyers continue with their operations since, over time, their risk of shut down on their accounts would approach infinity? I guess they are just having us transfer directly to their customer so that they are "out of the loop?"
Dec 12, 2013, 12:19 pm
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
seems to me there are hundreds of entities offering miles. i presume they are buying them from UA or AA or any airline. how can the airline possibly keep track of all those floating miles.
http://smallbusinessnetwork.unitedmi...com/EarnMiles/
from the UA web site:Earn up to 2,500 award miles when you shop online at more than 900 top retailers this holiday season. Offer ends Dec. 31, 2013.
how does one buy these miles? and for how much?
how can they sort these miles from broker miles?
http://smallbusinessnetwork.unitedmi...com/EarnMiles/
from the UA web site:Earn up to 2,500 award miles when you shop online at more than 900 top retailers this holiday season. Offer ends Dec. 31, 2013.
how does one buy these miles? and for how much?
how can they sort these miles from broker miles?
Dec 13, 2013, 2:07 am
#81
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
seems to me there are hundreds of entities offering miles. i presume they are buying them from UA or AA or any airline. how can the airline possibly keep track of all those floating miles.
http://smallbusinessnetwork.unitedmi...com/EarnMiles/
from the UA web site:Earn up to 2,500 award miles when you shop online at more than 900 top retailers this holiday season. Offer ends Dec. 31, 2013.
how does one buy these miles? and for how much?
how can they sort these miles from broker miles?
http://smallbusinessnetwork.unitedmi...com/EarnMiles/
from the UA web site:Earn up to 2,500 award miles when you shop online at more than 900 top retailers this holiday season. Offer ends Dec. 31, 2013.
how does one buy these miles? and for how much?
how can they sort these miles from broker miles?
Last edited by MSPeconomist; Dec 18, 2013 at 2:27 am
Dec 16, 2013, 12:48 pm
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Dec 18, 2013, 2:25 am
#84
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
I would consider the idea of a reputable mileage broker to be an oxymoron.
Dec 21, 2013, 5:33 am
#86
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: IAH
Posts: 418
Exactly, that's why I actually enjoy selling my miles (aside from the obvious cash incentive). They would rather (1) your miles go unused and (2) If someone's stuck with a list minute ticket now they can more easily access miles instead of paying an insanely jacked up price. They tell you you earn something, but you can't even use it! What the heck?
I will gladly go against their terms any day!
I will gladly go against their terms any day!
Dec 21, 2013, 10:17 am
#87
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323