Sat next to a milage broker
Jan 8, 2006, 10:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,083
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.
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.
Jan 8, 2006, 10:59 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 5,651
Some of such activity is not acceptable to the airline involved.
Originally Posted by AAaLot
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.
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.
Jan 10, 2006, 10:30 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: somewhere Cl. III / III+, with green waves and friendly holes
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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?
Jan 10, 2006, 10:51 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Laguna Niguel, CA
Posts: 3,780
Originally Posted by Christian
Is there (yes, I did search) a tool or resource that rates the ability to actually get award seats out of various programs?
Jan 12, 2006, 8:22 am
#7
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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
MisterNice
Jan 12, 2006, 8:59 am
#8
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Originally Posted by MisterNice
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
MisterNice
Jan 12, 2006, 9:11 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,083
Originally Posted by MisterNice
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
MisterNice
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).
Jan 12, 2006, 10:09 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 326
Originally Posted by kcnwa
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.
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
Jan 12, 2006, 10:18 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 326
Originally Posted by kcnwa
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.
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
Jan 12, 2006, 11:23 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Posts: 3,253
Originally Posted by mikeinseattle
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
Jan 12, 2006, 11:38 am
#13
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Originally Posted by kcnwa
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.
Jan 12, 2006, 11:44 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BNA
Posts: 2,076
Originally Posted by kipper
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.
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.
Jan 12, 2006, 12:08 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 5,651
Very interesting additional info-especially trying to hide his info??????????????
Originally Posted by AAaLot
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).
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).