Consolidating "Orphan" Miles?
Mar 5, 2004 | 1:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 23
Consolidating "Orphan" Miles?
I have some "orphan" miles that I'd like to consolidate: 1500 on Alaska, 5000 on American, and 5000 on America West. I know that that's not a lot of miles; nevertheless, I'd like to "sweep" these balances into programs that I use (UA, Delta, or hotels).
Is Hilton the only hotel that will convert FF miles into hotel points? Are there minimum conversion amounts (I'm SPG Gold and Hilton Gold, if that matters.)? I have balances in Hilton, SPG, Marriott, and Priority Club. I fly UA exclusively, but also have about 23,000 Delta miles.
Thank you for any suggestions.
Is Hilton the only hotel that will convert FF miles into hotel points? Are there minimum conversion amounts (I'm SPG Gold and Hilton Gold, if that matters.)? I have balances in Hilton, SPG, Marriott, and Priority Club. I fly UA exclusively, but also have about 23,000 Delta miles.
Thank you for any suggestions.
Mar 5, 2004 | 2:44 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 53,010
You could do a double-conversion through Diner's Club with your AA miles. 5k AA -> 5k DC and 4380 DC -> 2k DL. That puts you at a free domestic ticket on DL.
Or, if you don't have a Diner's Club, just use iDine to get yourself the needed DL miles. (The balances are small enough here that it isn't worth paying a DC annual fee if you don't otherwise have/want the card.)
I don't know what you do with a few Alaska or America West miles. (I don't use either of those programs.) Will you EVER fly those airlines again? Maybe just leave the miles where they are...if you take one or two more flights, you might find yourself up in the 10k range, and from there you can quickly jump to a free ticket with one credit card annual fee and a little iDine.
Or, if you don't have a Diner's Club, just use iDine to get yourself the needed DL miles. (The balances are small enough here that it isn't worth paying a DC annual fee if you don't otherwise have/want the card.)
I don't know what you do with a few Alaska or America West miles. (I don't use either of those programs.) Will you EVER fly those airlines again? Maybe just leave the miles where they are...if you take one or two more flights, you might find yourself up in the 10k range, and from there you can quickly jump to a free ticket with one credit card annual fee and a little iDine.
Mar 7, 2004 | 4:38 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Look at points.com, a proud sponsor of the 16th Freddie Awards. There are a lot of exchange options, I know that the exchanges rates are unpleasant (now there is a double Asia Miles promo), but maybe better than nothing.
Mar 8, 2004 | 9:15 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Federal Way, WA 98023
Posts: 17
I also looking for the similar option. I have 12k singapore, 2.2k on US Airways, 6k on Delta. Currently I am accumulating on United, it would be better to convert all those to united or some hotel points. any ideas? Thanks
Mar 8, 2004 | 9:41 am
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 53,010
For such small balances, it's hardly worth paying the Points.com fees to move them around. Can't you use the 2.2k US for a couple of mag subscriptions? I know I've burned off orphaned miles in two or three different programs this way.