CKA1

Ok,

I am sure this has been discussed, but I didn't see anything recently.

Is it ethical to ask my father who earns a significant amount of miles/points to use his points to send me on a trip to school? I'm not asking if it's ethical to ask another person to pay my way, I'm wondering if it's ethical to use his points instead of paying cash out of my pocket?

If I can't use his points, I would be on the hook for over 600 dollars r/t. Is there anything wrong with using points to send a third party to Toronto for school.

CK

arollins

No, your father can book a trip on behalf of anyone out of his accounts. The main thing is not to receive anything in exchange.

Adam1222

No ethical problem whatsoever. No one's lying, and it's one of the intended purposes of miles.

MSPeconomist

Not in terms of using miles, but answering the more general ethical question might depend on the relationship you have with father and whether there's an agreement about him helping (or not) to pay for your school. For example, if he's supposed to give you $10,000 for school expenses and he now gives you the plant ticket in addition, there's an argument that his cash contribution should be reduced, perhaps by $500. It could also depend on how he might otherwise use his miles.

DivenParker

It could also depend on how he might otherwise use his miles.

Kiwi Flyer

It depends on the frequent flyer program (FFP). Most permit redemption of awards for family members, but some do not. If you are using a FFP for a US-based airline then you're probably okay.

irishguy28

Not even a thank you?

beckoa

Since this isn't specific to the introductory Information Desk, we'll move this over to MilesBuzz for now.

~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk

Often1

There is no ethics issue whatsoever.

Your father either uses his miles in accordance with the t&c of MP or he does not. It is a binary question.

As you have framed the very specific question, it is entirely appropriate for your father to purchase a ticket for you using his MP account.

Others will chime in with 1,000 variations of how this might violate the rules, but as your question does not contain those situations, those variations are irrelevant.

Efrem

I have used points on behalf of family members many times. "Go anywhere you want in the world" is a nice graduation present for a niece or nephew. For my younger son and his wife, it was "both of you, in first class." (It became business class when they put their trip off a few years and the number of tickets went from two to three, but they enjoyed Japan.)

The one thing I caution them about is that airlines, understandably, are concerned that people might sell award tickets and tell the buyer "just say you're my nephew." As a result, airline personnel may ask people on award tickets that came from someone else's miles questions about that person. As his son, you'd know the answers to questions that a stranger wouldn't be able to answer, so this shouldn't create a problem. Just don't be surprised if it happens.

arollins

I do not think that a thank you is an exchange, but rather a courtesy.

kathysrewards

This thread was a disappointment.
I was hoping for something far more entertaining.

keitherson

Not even doing the dishes!!!

jww947

Dude. That is your dad, I don't see the problem. Make sure you show appreciation for the miles and let know how what you are using them for. If it is a boon doggle then I would probably not ask.

Bonaventure

Unless your school is DAESH University in Raqqah, then no, you probably aren't crossing any lines.