I have a lot of banked miles. When they use to expire I spread the word to family and friends to please use them. In the old days availability was a lot better, so a quick trip was not out of the question.

Now, it's a major hassle. Family and friends understand that the miles no longer expire (NWA), but I'm still not stingy with family and if I can save a nephew or parents the cost of a ticket, good for all.

Now, they seldom ask, but if they drop a hint, I tell them I'll check it out. Well the last few times I have come up short, unable to help. Availability is so scarce that it's nearly impossible to help out.

I shouldn't feel bad, but I do. They don't understand the system, nor the fact that it involves more than a simple phone call. I have told them no more, unless they have a verrry flexible schedule.

Last year, I gifted 2 biz class *A awards to friends. That was a mistake. People just don't know what it takes to get 160k miles these days. Never again.

I've taken to offering up any "Fly 3" type of certificates instead, then give them the actual cert so they can make their own arrangements.

That said, I just sent a friend who has Stage 4 cancer home to see her grown sons for Mother's Day using miles. The bottom line on that one is that I just did not care if I needed to use SkyChoice double miles to make it happen...

I've used miles a lot for family and a time or two for friends. The challenge I find is that they get fixated on dates, which often mean I have to come up with miles for saver first or standard coach. Even though I articulate what I am willing to offer - a saver coach ticket - that has no meaning to someone without miles. Once I have created an expectation, no matter how inadvertently, I feel an obligation to follow thru.

Still, many of these tickets have been used to motivate siblings to visit aging parents - and their visits are priceless.

I've taken to offering up any "Fly 3" type of certificates instead, then give them the actual cert so they can make their own arrangements.

That was the on good thing about the NWA coupons. Once you handed over the coupon, you had done your good deed. The recipient had to do the legwork. Now, the miles are banked and it's much more difficult for them. BUT, now the miles don't expire, which is better by far. I just hope there is an airline left to fly when I actually get around to using them.

I've sent my parents to Hawaii several times, and will be doing so again this winter.

They're retired and can leave any day of the week. Even though I travel mostly low season, I've been having more & more trouble getting seats for myself & my husband.

So, I've just been giving them to my parents. They're happy and the miles get used. BTW - they REALLY appreciate it and recognize how difficult they are to earn and also to use.

A few years ago I gave my Dad an award ticket to fly up from MIA.
The flight was on a RJ, he never stopped complaining "it must be because you got a free ticket why I had to fly on such a crappy plane. I never want anymore of your free tickets, thats the last time I fly AA"

Ironically that was he last flight ever.

mike

I gave my sister a free trip to Europe two years ago. We even found some dates that worked and booked it. She ended up canceling the trip and after the miles got put back I sort of "owed" her 50,000 miles. Just last week I ended up rebooking her something but I didn't enjoy the gift nearly as much as I had hoped.

Though I do feel miles "rich" I don't plan on being overly generous any longer.

My biggest problem has been been the opposite when gifting family. Since I come from an airline family (Dad was a captain for National Airlines; brother is right seat on AA), they are used to making travel date/time decisions at the last minute, since they were accustomed to flying standby. It has been hard to get them to understand that I can get them confirmed space if they plan ahead. A couple of times I have had to bail them out using double miles on the day of departure when they were unable to clear a couple flights as non-rev. I am more than happy to book them using FF miles ahead of time; after all, Dad's profession gave me my love of travel and the knowledge to become a road warrioress!

You kidding? The other airlines could be in ashes on WN's mantle and those NW DC9ers will still be in the air..

If you really loved them, you'd RuleBust.

Just sayin'.

I sent my parents to Europe (well England anyway) on NW fly-writes that were going to expire.

Their outbound cancelled and they had to overnite (forget at whose expense) in DCA. They complained about the trip for at least a decade.

Yes, I have gifted several times...only been a problem once.

My church was having a group go to Kenya. I wanted to go but couldn't take the time. I took the group leader aside and said "I've got the miles...can I contribute a ticket?" expecting him to be the go-between.

Mind you this was March last year and the trip was going to be in July

I wanted to burn some BA miles, but couldn't get seats ATL-LGW, but was ok finding LHR-NBO (or Europe-NBO).

He put me in contact with the traveler (who was a pretty un-sophisticated traveler) who was going to either buy or redeem a ticket ATL-Europe.

Coordinating this was a nightmare...then when he got to LHR, they were questioning the free ticket for someone else and BA detained him so long he missed the daylight flight (with everyone else) and flew on the red-eye. Brother what a mess.

That reminds me...I didn't get a letter from the church about the donation

I was going to give my sister and her husband 5 days at Alladin (SPG) in LAS for her 40th wedding anniversary. Was willing to upgrade them to suite and everything. Would have cost me 80,000 SPG points. She looked at not as a real gift, as I wasn't spending any real money. Decided not to do it, gave her $500 instead.

I agree with OP people don't understand what it takes to get the miles/points, so they don't appreciate the value of the gift.

I have done it several times .....

For our wedding in Italy I felw in one brides-maid from NZ, one Friend from HKG, and a couple within Europe..... We had rented a place for two weeks for all ... was great fun and very rewarding. Some of the friends wouldn't haven been able to come if we hadn't sponsored them .....

Last Christmas flew in a freind from NZ to the US, she needed a break away from home... also very rewarding...

And a some upgrades fro my brother on trips to conferences.... He is a Prof and the University doesn't pay C.

I am selective but I do it again ...