There is a way to occassionaly earn substantial extra miles, sometimes at little or no cost. As often as I've done this, it's still very easy to overlook the opportunity. I'm talking about miles from medical bills.

Last week, I had to be rushed to the ER due to a medication reaction. (I'm fine now.) I received a bill today for over $5,000, not including the doctor's charges. Although my insurance company is being billed, I am charging the entire amount on one of my mileage affinity cards. Once the insurance pays, I will have a credit balance for most all of it. Then, I simply ask the hospital to send me a check for the credit. I have charged medical bills, (some huge,) many times before. When requesting a refund for a credit balance, never once, has any hospital issued a credit to my charge card. I have always received a check.

Now, I do pay my entire credit card bill in full each month and don't get hit with any finance charges. But even with finance charges, it may still be worth it, depending upon what you pay for interest and on your mileage situation in general. Remember, you can do the same thing for most doctor visits. I come accross very few doctor's who don't accept credit cards these days.

WARNING: PLEASE don't get sick or injured just for the miles. You don't get any bonus miles if you're dead.



[This message has been edited by Neal (edited 08-02-2001).]