Sat next to a milage broker
 

Recently my seat opponent was a milage broker.

We had a very interesting conversation. Apparently he buys miles and re-sells them as business class and first class tickets.

He mentioned that some airlines never question the buyer at check in where some other airlines almost always question.

Also it was intersting that he was more interested in accounts with low milage so he would sell only one ticket from that account at a time. He then stated that he would encourage people wanting to sell AMEX/Diners miles to open multiple accounts at the same airline.

What was most intersting was that he had a wealth of 'street knowledge' on how to get from XXX to YYY and in what airline before even making a call.

For example, he stated Qantas tickets are impossible to get, where JAL tickets are relatively easy.

Some of such activity is not acceptable to the airline involved.

He may actually have the people he buys from book the trip and he middlemans the ticket for his profit.

one easier than another re: award flights
 

Is there (yes, I did search) a tool or resource that rates the ability to actually get award seats out of various programs?

You need to post your question separately. A) It's off topic for this thread and B) You won't get many answers this way.

it may be against airline policy, but these brokers have been around for awhile now

I have been seated by many so-called mileage brokers. Their eys light up when they see a "Million Miler" tag or Platinium tag. My best guess most are trying to broker my miles to a buyer and I assume any risks. I politely say "no thanks" to these types of strangers. Ditto for insurance salesmen, the hourly rental girls and persons who want to change my religion etc.

MisterNice

Don't forget the man who wants to sell you awesome speakers out of the back of his mini van... that's also big no thanks.

A couple more interesting items:

He did not ask me about my miles

He was interested more on low milelage accounts (i.e. 1 ticket from one account at one time)

He hid his boarding pass from me (i.e. he did not want me to know his name).

Surprisingly, most of those speakers sold out of the back of a van are legitimate. They print fancy brochures to make you think that the speakers are stolen and you are actually getting a rock bottom deal, however, they are marketed through the company in this fashion. Which leads me to to thinking, maybe the mileage brokers are starting to sell real "consolidator fares" but marketing them as mileage tickets :p

Surprisingly, most of those speakers sold out of the back of a van are legitimate. They print fancy brochures to make you think that the speakers are stolen and you are actually getting a rock bottom deal, however, they are marketed through the company in this fashion. Which leads me to to thinking, maybe the mileage brokers are starting to sell real "consolidator fares" but marketing them as mileage tickets :p

Of course, FT'ers and other savvy travellers *should* generally be able to check fare codes. But hey, if they became more legit (and I could get miles on a legally obtained ticket from one), I'd buy it if the price were right

I had that happen to me once at a gas station - a guy pulled up to the pump next to me and asked me if I wanted to buy a set of speakers for $30. I politely declined his offer.

But it says on the box they're worth $1750. How could you pass that up? My neighbor bought some. Paid over $400. They sounded decent. At best.
Anyway, did the mileage broker tell you if he runs into problems, and what he does if/ when the airlines question the validity of the tickets? Seems like a rather iffy transaction for all involved.

Very interesting additional info-especially trying to hide his info??????????????