In addition, I have been told by lawyers (I'm not one, but have had some education and experience in the area) that it is illegal in California, perhaps elsewhere as well, to use a ticket for passage in violation of its terms and conditions. This would be another way the user of a purchased award ticket could get into legal trouble, though it would not affect the seller of the ticket and/or miles unless fraud (e.g., representation that the ticket could be used legally) came into play.