Hey Flyertalkers!
I need your input.
I am currently researching about 'Merchandise for Miles' programs, if any truely exist that is...

Does anyone know if any thing like this exists...the program would allow one to cash in their miles for merchandise...
If one existed would you use it? Why/Why not?
What exchange rate would you use....for example... 100 miles=$5...

Tell me what you think...
Give me some insight!!!
thanks guys,
drew

LH offers real exclusive products you can buy with LH's miles&more program (miles) http://www.moremiles.com/english/index_e.html

It exists in Canada at least in the Air Miles program. They say that 80% of redemptions are for merchandise or services, not for air travel. You earn your miles primarily by buying merchandise or services.
http://www.airmiles.ca/english/default.asp

Occasionally the airlines have special promos, e.g. Air Canada just had one where you could get special luggage, aviator's jackets etc. for your travel.

[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 08-26-1999).]

Holiday Inn Priority Club just sent me a catalog full o stuff that you can redeem points for. I didn't take a very close look because I earn miles with PC, not points...

I know the Best Western Gold Crown Club used to because my father got a rather nice trouser press from them - I'm not sure if they do any more though ...

Considering that the airlines will sell miles for 2 1/2 cents/mile or less(if you buy in bulk) you're conversion ratio is way to high.

So the max an airline could offer in merchandise for 100 miles would be $1.50. They have to cover admin costs. I doubt they could go that high.

MCI recently offered 25000 miles for switching to them. At your 5 cents/mile ratio thats $1250.

The idea has merit, but your ratio is way, way too high.

This question has been asked before and some responses are at: http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/Foru...ML/000200.html

You can trade in miles with Hilton Honors as well (and you can transfer many differnt airline miles into a Hilton account), have a look at this URL:
http://www.hilton.com/hhonors/reward...a.html#sharper

Also, eTour will give you miles to trade in for stuff simply for looking at web sites. I found it a great way of getting little presents, and the miles add up rather quickly. Here is the URL:
http://www.etour.com/

(if you were to sign up and you are feeling generous, give them my e-mail address, since members get points for referrals: [email protected])

Happy hunting


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Smile, it might be contageous

[This message has been edited by dimples (edited 08-27-1999).]

[This message has been edited by dimples (edited 08-27-1999).]

Hi Drew,

An anaology of the Air Miles program that Blonde Bomber describes also exists in the United Kingdom http://www.airmiles.co.uk . I would say that the majority of the redemption is for flights but you can also get leisure activities (bowling, theme parks, cinemas, discounts on cruises). They also offer 'special gifts' like balloon flights, days on a racetrack, beauty treatments, etc.

Doesn't American Express in the USA allow you to sell a number of membership reward points for cash, which can presumably be used for merchandise?

They do, but with a conversion rate of only 0.5� per point and a limit of $300 per year for 60,000 points it's not that great a deal. More to the point of this thread, though, they also have merchandise offers. Some are credit certificates for (usually fancy) stores, typically worth 1 to 1.5� per point. Others are "real merchandise," such as (the first example I saw when I opened a recent statement) a set of 3 pieces of Samsonite luggage for 25,000 points.

AMEX Membership Rewards has all kinds of cool stuff you can redeem points for.

you might click on over to the milesmart.com Web site. While not yet launched, I understand they have some serious intentions in this area.

http://www.milesmart.com/

Marriott Rewards offered a full catalog of stuff last year at holiday time which you could purchase with your Marriott Rewards points if you so desired. however, the points needed for the merchandise in most cases seemed way too much to me. I would rather use the points to save money on $200 a night hotel rooms on vacation sometime. Don't know if they will do the program again this year. probably depends on how many miles they managed to get out of people's accounts and how much "profit" (value of the points less the cost of the merchandise) they made at it last year. Since these companies are all required to keep the value of the miles or points on their balance sheets as a contingent liability these days, they have an incentive to try to get people to use them.