Gifting Miles
Jul 1, 2015, 7:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 34
Gifting Miles
To preface, I searched through the forum to find the answer and if I missed it I apologize.
Ideally I would give 200k miles to a friend as a wedding present so he can pair that up with his about 70k miles to go to europe and back as a honeymoon.
Is United capping the amount of miles in gifting? When I went to do something similar for a different friend I was rejected but they were on an Around the World ticket through Star Alliance.
The other option is for me to just redeem the two award tickets in their names and call it a day but I'd prefer to help the buddy out as this was one the one thing he was supposed to take care of in the entire wedding/honeymoon endeavor.
Ideally I would give 200k miles to a friend as a wedding present so he can pair that up with his about 70k miles to go to europe and back as a honeymoon.
Is United capping the amount of miles in gifting? When I went to do something similar for a different friend I was rejected but they were on an Around the World ticket through Star Alliance.
The other option is for me to just redeem the two award tickets in their names and call it a day but I'd prefer to help the buddy out as this was one the one thing he was supposed to take care of in the entire wedding/honeymoon endeavor.
Jul 1, 2015, 8:30 am
#2
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
Print out self made "gift certificate" and make the booking yourself @:-)
Jul 1, 2015, 10:39 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,691
Jul 1, 2015, 11:28 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
If he took care of it by entrusting you to book them (and hence save every the massive transfer fees), then all is well.
Since status no longer transfers, it really doesn't matter for any other aspect but change/cancellation fees who booked it.
May as well book it on your own.
If memory serves, US-EU in C is 115 RT, per person (140RT on Star). So you may have to pony up 230K, and have him owe you the 30K.
Or if booking on a Star Alliance partner, book three out of the four total legs (210K) and he'll book the last one on his miles.
That requires some good coordination of booking/placing flights on hold.
Since status no longer transfers, it really doesn't matter for any other aspect but change/cancellation fees who booked it.
May as well book it on your own.
If memory serves, US-EU in C is 115 RT, per person (140RT on Star). So you may have to pony up 230K, and have him owe you the 30K.
Or if booking on a Star Alliance partner, book three out of the four total legs (210K) and he'll book the last one on his miles.
That requires some good coordination of booking/placing flights on hold.
Jul 1, 2015, 5:36 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 34
Thanks for the feedback albeit it's lame of UAL. It's unfortunate they won't get to use GS perks on the trip but hopefully sitting in coach will make them happy. He's a good friend but not good enough for business.
Jul 1, 2015, 6:22 pm
#7
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428