Originally Posted by
dhuey
Yes, illegal is a vague term that can be used narrowly to mean criminal. Unlawful is normally used to mean in violation of a contractual or civil duty, and that describes the sale of miles.
You are misusing these terms. It is not "unlawful" to violate a contract. It is "unlawful" to violate a statute (and that violation may be either criminal or civil, depending on the statute).
While the failure to fulfill a contract may have civil remedies, that doesn't make it unlawful.
An airline may prohibit the sale of miles, that doesn't make it an unlawful act.