Originally Posted by
HMPS
The reply above is right on mark.
Getting Buying gifts from airline miles is not productive at all.
All such products can be bought cheaper in the market for less cash. So not a good vslue proposition.
While that statement is true, we must remember that not everyone needs to travel, or wishes to manufacture a trip, just to use up the miles.
Sometimes you are stuck with orphan miles. Surely it's better to use them up for merchandise than to let them expire?
I find CX's Asiamiles programme quite good in this aspect. Lots of hotel and product choices. I tried for three years to see if I could spend the 19,9xx miles in a better way but the opportunity just never came, so they went towards a $160/night hotel stay and a $10 sim card holder.
On the other hand, to get to my Krisflyer miles, you have to pry them from my cold, dead fingers...