Gifting miles for wedding present
Jun 4, 2013, 1:20 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Delta Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 197
If you have a certain status level, you can just book the trip and surprise them with it (try to get a feel of dates they would be able to travel), and if you guessed wrong, you can redeposit for free. This is what I am doing for a relative's wedding present.
Jun 5, 2013, 11:01 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Canadia
Programs: A loyal Amerisuites customer... oh wait
Posts: 2,033
I agree with not transferring points; offer to do the booking from your account. Maybe make a fake gift certificate or something.
Be sure to be clear from the outset whether you are also springing for the taxes and fees. Depending on the destination and the airline or hotel, that could be significant. You want to avoid any misunderstandings.
Be sure to be clear from the outset whether you are also springing for the taxes and fees. Depending on the destination and the airline or hotel, that could be significant. You want to avoid any misunderstandings.
Dec 20, 2013, 8:19 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 193
+1 - do not transfer!
I have often booked the tickets and given them a surprise, and absorbed the change fee. Its cheaper than paying fees to transfer the miles!!!
For example, on United, its better to book the flight if its 21+ days in advance, then if they need to change, just pay the $75 change fee. It is the same as booking for them last minute and paying the $75 last-minute booking fee. Based on your AA status, something similar could be worked out.
So I would say, surprise them with a ticket, and tell them its fairly changeable.
I have often booked the tickets and given them a surprise, and absorbed the change fee. Its cheaper than paying fees to transfer the miles!!!
For example, on United, its better to book the flight if its 21+ days in advance, then if they need to change, just pay the $75 change fee. It is the same as booking for them last minute and paying the $75 last-minute booking fee. Based on your AA status, something similar could be worked out.
So I would say, surprise them with a ticket, and tell them its fairly changeable.
Dec 20, 2013, 8:28 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 370
I was ready to gift my miles to our son for Christmas and then I read about all the fees on United. I don't recall Continental charging fees but could be wrong. Regardless, your post said something I'm questioning. How can you purchase a ticket for someone else? I thought with NSA and all the ticket had to be in your name. Am I to understand I can buy his tickets with my miles and no fees in his name?
Dec 20, 2013, 9:52 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Canadia
Programs: A loyal Amerisuites customer... oh wait
Posts: 2,033
I was ready to gift my miles to our son for Christmas and then I read about all the fees on United. I don't recall Continental charging fees but could be wrong. Regardless, your post said something I'm questioning. How can you purchase a ticket for someone else? I thought with NSA and all the ticket had to be in your name. Am I to understand I can buy his tickets with my miles and no fees in his name?
But, no, there's no restriction about who you can buy your ticket for.
More info at:
https://www.united.com/web/en-us/con...ghtsearch.aspx