Although I am a OnePass platinum, I spend most of miles on upgrades. It's rare that I use a free ticket: either they're too hard to redeem, or I just want to stay home.

Cynical sort that I am, I sometimes feel like my miles are just entrapping me in a marketing scam. I don't feel that way anymore!

In a few weeks, I will turn 35 (on St. Valentine's Day, actually.) Since I'm single, I have a rather un-fun birthday.

But I remembered my excess of OnePass miles, and called two of my friends from other parts of the country. "Want to come here for the weekend?"

3 minutes, 50,000 miles, and $20 later, I booked two of my friends free tickets to come join me for my birthday. It was so easy, so simple, and I'm really looking forward to it (so are they).