And a couple keystrokes, and they can probably see the history, who they went to, etc. Follow the "threads" easily! It might be easier to sell, but IMO it would be easier to get caught if you did. If they had any inclination they were sold (and they are pretty smart) they'd be asking the passenger 20 questions of which he/she probably didn't know most of the answers. I wouldn't be selling mine.

This is obviously a troll post folks...likely intended to distract all the lawyers posting on USAir firing a customer.

If all upgrades are in C or Z class, why would an agent care how the passenger got the upgrade as long as it is all in order?

So what's the difference between electonic or paper?

Because the passenger may be of the sort that will only travel in a premium cabin, and would have otherwise bought a full-fare ticket had an upgrade not been available through a broker.

Well I'll start off page 2 by saying I am astounded no-one has asked WHICH airline is involved.

I think traveler101 is a fool and anyone who sells miles to brokers advertising in newspapers deserves all the grief they get IMO and will teach them an expensive lesson.

All the same WHICH airline is involved is of general interest. Some (AA/QF/DL) seem far more aggressive than others.

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~ Glen ~ sipping bubbly from UA 747-400 exit row 15A near you SOON!

Good points. I would think that it would be difficult to rack up that many miles and not run across the rules about things like this at some point along the way...

I don't think it would be difficult at all. I can count over 10 of my friends who have in excess of 150,000 miles that have no idea that there is a black market for selling miles and wouldn't know if it was right or wrong to do it.

Some other poster mentioned the same thing, they earned the miles so as far as they are concerned they can do what they want with them.

If you apply a common sense approach to it, which most people that don't know about sellings miles would, the above statement would probably be taken by most.

Ignorance of the law (fine print) is no excuse.

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"It's as easy as 1, 2, C" -- Kelly, Married With Children

Wise words!

JS, I am not saying it is a reason why people should do it, just responding to the comment that it would be hard to earn that many miles without knowing.

The whole issue just shows how the airlines are trying to control both sides of the pie. The airlines have no problems selling miles to anybody who wants to buy them yet they don't want anyone else selling miles. When United filed for Bankruptcy, the only profitable part of their business was its frequent flyer miles program. American Airlines sold close to $1,000,000,000 worth of miles the previous year. The smart airlines are starting to treat these as advanced seat sales and not as a freebie that "costs" them money. Southwest does very little to discourage people from selling their rapid rewards flight coupons and there are a ton of them up for bid on any given day on E-bay. There is a very large grey market selling/buying miles--most of it can be done very safely if you know what you are doing. The airlines have to realize that they can only do so much without killing the golden goose.

I would not be suprised if the person who started this thread works for an airline is only trying to stir things up a bit.

Southwest is very close to implementing a ticketless frequent flier awards so it won't be as easy to sell anonymous awards. You will actually have to go through the broker process just like other airlines.

In addition, they are cancelling the double credits for online bookings as of December 31. Unlike other years, they will NOT be renewing it this year.

I am very interested to see what effect these two changes have on business. I have a number of friends who were fiercly loyal to WN that will no longer be flying them come Jan 1.

Southwest Airlines went to "ticketless" tickets almost two months ago - and they're still up for sale every day on ebay.

Perhaps the airlines should consider how they can make money on traded miles rather than trying to scare of the customers who earned the miles.

Perhaps inventory on less demanded flights at a 10% premium.