Gift tickets
 

You've seen it in the movies, you've read about it in novels, maybe you want to do the same for your loved ones... but how?

In the era of non-refundable, non-endorsable tickets being the only reasonably-priced items available in this industry, what are you supposed to give out as a gift?

A lame gift certificate? No way. Just select a date and hope it's ok for the recipient? Doesn't seem like a good idea either. Is there something I don't know about? Can you buy 'open' cheap tickets for this purpose?

I am planning on giving my mother a trip for Christmas and intend to find a nice book about the chosen destination and to tuck a note in saying

"Good for a free roundtrip airline ticket."

Well, no whistles, bells, or ribbons, but my partner & I called some friends of ours (one of whom has been very ill and can't travel like he used to) and said, 'how about London for Thanksgiving'?

They said great, we said great, away we went. I don't think they were disappointed that there was nothing to unwrap.

But the book is a sweet idea. Open tickets are full fare (not cheap), but award fares are fully flexible, only costing if you want the miles put back into your account ($75).

Often times the best present is your presence since time is so valuable. (Pardon me for being serious with a username like mine.)

Well, if you have miles to use, you should be able to get the award cert in their name, without dates or destination specified. At least that's how AA works.