Miles Brokers - Any recommendations?
Nov 22, 1999 | 7:19 am
#1
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: St Petersburg, FL, USA
Posts: 2,275
Miles Brokers - Any recommendations?
I know that this dead horse may have been beaten before, and Randy has a nervous tic when people discuss it, but I'm looking for recommendations of miles/ticket brokers.
My situation: I've got 200k miles on United, which I have had NO luck trying to use, even as a PremEx. I just don't have the flexibility to book seats a month out and fly on a Wednesday morning. Since I am also planning to shift all my business to American, I don't care if The Friendly Skies get upset with me.
Has anyone used any of the services (AwardTraveler, etc) and can give recommendations? Thanks.
My situation: I've got 200k miles on United, which I have had NO luck trying to use, even as a PremEx. I just don't have the flexibility to book seats a month out and fly on a Wednesday morning. Since I am also planning to shift all my business to American, I don't care if The Friendly Skies get upset with me.
Has anyone used any of the services (AwardTraveler, etc) and can give recommendations? Thanks.
Nov 22, 1999 | 10:41 am
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,043
no tips for this, not even a good friend of mine does this. And it is for sure not worth doing it for some 2'000 miles.
Why not give them to charity?
Why not give them to charity?
Nov 22, 1999 | 10:54 am
#3
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Seattle
Programs: Ephesians 4:31-32
Posts: 10,690
If it is 2,000 just give them to charity, but I read it as 200,000 miles. If that is the case, get ahold of Reward Planner at Inside Flyer and I am sure she can help you find a nice way to use them.
It seems to be easier to use them for planning vacations rather than for tightly scheduled business travel. I have, however, been able to use them at the very last minute to avoid very high fares for emergency trips.
It seems to be easier to use them for planning vacations rather than for tightly scheduled business travel. I have, however, been able to use them at the very last minute to avoid very high fares for emergency trips.
Nov 22, 1999 | 11:12 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in VIENNA, AUSTRIA!
Posts: 61,932
Maybe its just dumb luck, but I've never really had a big problem getting a free seat (always for others). Just 2 weeks ago, I sent my mother-in-law to Lousiville on a free ticket on 2 days notice with the exact schedule she wanted.
Unfortunately UA does not have one-way reward tix
Unfortunately UA does not have one-way reward tix
Nov 22, 1999 | 11:41 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1.050MM, PersonalCar 0.275MM
Posts: 1,720
Sending a friend home for the holidays is an easy way to burn up some miles you don't plan to use yourself. With 200,000 miles to burn, maybe you can send some newlyweds to Hawaii as your wedding gift. Etc.
Nov 22, 1999 | 12:21 pm
#8
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Seattle
Programs: Ephesians 4:31-32
Posts: 10,690
Another way to use miles is to give certificates redeemable for trips. This is greatly appreciated by young friends and relatives who are college students and often strappped for funds. Or since miles don't expire anymore, save them for retirement trips or until you have semi-grown children, they always want trips to someplace. 
Nov 22, 1999 | 2:52 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: IAD
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 27,068
You could always convert to HHonors and cash out via casino chips, but the payoff is not too good.
Maybe you should write to United, detailing all of your experiences in not being able to use the miles, and offering that since they sell miles at 2.5 cents per mile you would be willing to offer them a 20% discount.
Maybe you should write to United, detailing all of your experiences in not being able to use the miles, and offering that since they sell miles at 2.5 cents per mile you would be willing to offer them a 20% discount.
Nov 22, 1999 | 3:02 pm
#10
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: St Petersburg, FL, USA
Posts: 2,275
I would prefer giving myself $3200 (AwardTraveler quote) rather than give obscenely valued gifts.
I will check out Reward Planner, but I would prefer to "cash out" and spend my money on more practically priced tickets, etc.
I will check out Reward Planner, but I would prefer to "cash out" and spend my money on more practically priced tickets, etc.
Nov 22, 1999 | 4:37 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Dallas, TX USA AA EXP Mariott Platinum
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 124
Diners Club might have another program that allows you to transfer United Miles to the Club Reward program like they did earlier this year. You would lose half of their value, but you could transfer them to American or any other airline.
Nov 22, 1999 | 5:33 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: IAD
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 27,068
I transferred from UA to Diners Club, and subsequently from Diners to BA under a double transfer promotion, so I did not lose any value (except that then my United miles were expiring in 2-3 years and now they don't expire, BA miles expire in 5 years). You can use BA miles for either BA or their partners like AA.
Nov 22, 1999 | 6:20 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: East Hampton/Dorado Beach
Posts: 593
The classified ads in USA TODAY list all sorts of brokers who buy airline awards.
Miles are supposed to be the currency of the 90's !
Keep us posted on using the brokers. It;s something many of us would want to do if we only had the guts!
Miles are supposed to be the currency of the 90's !
Keep us posted on using the brokers. It;s something many of us would want to do if we only had the guts!