Feb 23, 2015, 11:33 pm
Last edit by: aBroadAbroad
Please read this wiki before posting questions or comments.
Are they legit? Short answer: No
Virtually all award programs prohibit the sale, barter and purchase of awards and/or miles (except through channels specifically identified in the program T&C and/or endorsed by the program). Many airlines are known to audit their FFPs for such fraudulent transactions, and to aggressively enforce their programs' rules.
By definition, so-called "mileage" brokers are not legitimate. It is important to understand that they do not actually broker miles, but rather act as a middle-man to facilitate the purchase of award tickets. The seller redeems miles from his/her account for an award in a buyer's name. The broker pays the seller on behalf of the buyer. A clear audit trail is left in the process.
Consequences
If this activity is identified by the airline, the seller will lose any miles remaining in his/her account, the account will be terminated, and the seller will be banned from participating in that airline's program. The seller may also be subject to payment of monetary damages. Buyers, when attempting to travel on a purchased award, may be denied boarding at any point on the itinerary. At best, a special trip might not happen. At worst, the buyer might be stranded halfway around the world and forced to purchase a significantly more expensive one-way ticket in order to get home.
Are they legit? Short answer: No
Virtually all award programs prohibit the sale, barter and purchase of awards and/or miles (except through channels specifically identified in the program T&C and/or endorsed by the program). Many airlines are known to audit their FFPs for such fraudulent transactions, and to aggressively enforce their programs' rules.
By definition, so-called "mileage" brokers are not legitimate. It is important to understand that they do not actually broker miles, but rather act as a middle-man to facilitate the purchase of award tickets. The seller redeems miles from his/her account for an award in a buyer's name. The broker pays the seller on behalf of the buyer. A clear audit trail is left in the process.
Consequences
If this activity is identified by the airline, the seller will lose any miles remaining in his/her account, the account will be terminated, and the seller will be banned from participating in that airline's program. The seller may also be subject to payment of monetary damages. Buyers, when attempting to travel on a purchased award, may be denied boarding at any point on the itinerary. At best, a special trip might not happen. At worst, the buyer might be stranded halfway around the world and forced to purchase a significantly more expensive one-way ticket in order to get home.
Moderator Note
Please be reminded that FlyerTalk Rules prohibit posts that support, encourage or promote fraudulent activities against individuals or companies.
Posts naming specific mileage brokers and/or containing links to broker websites
may be redacted or deleted.
Please be reminded that FlyerTalk Rules prohibit posts that support, encourage or promote fraudulent activities against individuals or companies.
Posts naming specific mileage brokers and/or containing links to broker websites
may be redacted or deleted.
Mileage/Award Ticket Brokers: Are they legit? [consolidated]
Apr 26, 2015, 6:06 pm
#151
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: BKK
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,395
If you still wish to buy miles, consider doing so through the airlines' own websites. This can still often achieve significant savings over a published first class fare.
Good luck.
May 19, 2015, 9:48 am
#153
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,574
Oh, wow, all of these low-post-count members claiming wonderful experiences with black market mileage transactions! @:-)
That's not suspicious at all.
That's not suspicious at all.
May 21, 2015, 10:04 am
#155
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
May 7, 2016, 3:31 pm
#157
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
Hi there,
though i've been reading through this thread i still not know,
whether the following constellation could be a problem or not.
The typical miles selling websites do offer KrisFlyer miles,
and im pretty sure, they get these from Amex Reward points,
as any other way (i know of) of generating KrisFlyer miles is a lot more expensive,
than 1,8 ct./mile.
If i have a clean KrisFlyer account (no mileage balance to lose) and directly book an award ticket, is there a potential problem? Does anyone has experience with buying Krisflyer miles?
though i've been reading through this thread i still not know,
whether the following constellation could be a problem or not.
The typical miles selling websites do offer KrisFlyer miles,
and im pretty sure, they get these from Amex Reward points,
as any other way (i know of) of generating KrisFlyer miles is a lot more expensive,
than 1,8 ct./mile.
If i have a clean KrisFlyer account (no mileage balance to lose) and directly book an award ticket, is there a potential problem? Does anyone has experience with buying Krisflyer miles?