Originally Posted by
stargold
Beware that on most airlines, the value for miles of anything other than reward flights are horrendous. You would probably be much better off using the miles for flights at a later time (due to huge backlashes, KE/OZ find it almost impossible to change redemption levels without an outcry so they change much less frequently than other airlines, and the miles earned pre-2008 will be valid for life anyway)
Very true what you said. But in some cases, using miles for flights might not be an option. Perhaps the owner of the miles doesn't want to fly, or has no place to fly to, or the miles aren't enough for a flight and are expiring soon. I know I had some SQ miles expire on me, which weren't enough for a flight, and after the fact realized I should have seen if I could have used them for a hotel stay, car rental, etc.