What to do with orphan miles
Apr 17, 2007, 1:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Santa Barbara, Ca USA: HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 97
What to do with orphan miles
I have 33K+ orphan miles and can't seem to be able to find a single use for them. NWA doesn't fly any of the routes that I routinely fly, and their codeshare partners require Sat stayovers, which I rarely do. Also, I'm not interested in adding another credit card just to bump up the miles. Are there any tricks out there to transfer them out?
Apr 17, 2007, 1:55 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
http://www.webflyer.com/programs/mileage_converter/
This should give you some direction, but remember converting from one program to another... you will lose a considerable amount of miles.
This should give you some direction, but remember converting from one program to another... you will lose a considerable amount of miles.
Apr 17, 2007, 2:01 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
Programs: Delta (nee NW), Hilton Diamond. IHG (PT)
Posts: 4,823
I have 33K+ orphan miles and can't seem to be able to find a single use for them. NWA doesn't fly any of the routes that I routinely fly, and their codeshare partners require Sat stayovers, which I rarely do. Also, I'm not interested in adding another credit card just to bump up the miles. Are there any tricks out there to transfer them out?
Bob H
Apr 17, 2007, 7:25 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
I have 33K+ orphan miles and can't seem to be able to find a single use for them. NWA doesn't fly any of the routes that I routinely fly, and their codeshare partners require Sat stayovers, which I rarely do. Also, I'm not interested in adding another credit card just to bump up the miles. Are there any tricks out there to transfer them out?
Apr 17, 2007, 8:51 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LAX-TPE-LAX
Programs: No more status...just doing my best in burning my points/miles.
Posts: 2,003
I have 33K+ orphan miles and can't seem to be able to find a single use for them. NWA doesn't fly any of the routes that I routinely fly, and their codeshare partners require Sat stayovers, which I rarely do. Also, I'm not interested in adding another credit card just to bump up the miles. Are there any tricks out there to transfer them out?
I'm suprised no one has offered to take them off your hands. Well, I might as well be the one. I'll take 'em and put them to good use!
Other than that, I can only think of a few things.
Transfer them out for a big hit.
Magazines?
Keep the miles around just in case you need em.
Apr 17, 2007, 11:55 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: (formerly) Northwest, Continental, Delta, American, United, ANA
Posts: 118
I also have small numbers of orphan miles on other carriers, and routinely use them to give magazine subscriptions as gifts. You may want to consider gifting the magazines to a nearby Ronald McDonald House or a Fisher House (same thing but near military hospitals). Lots of wounded troops in long-term rehab, and their families are living at these Fisher Houses...
Apr 18, 2007, 12:41 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
You know, there are actually people don't like Hawai`i (thanks for using the okina 
).
FWIW, I wouldn't necessarily consider 33k miles orphan miles. Despite the constant devaluation in miles, I'd just hold on to them because you never really know when you might need them. I've redeemed miles twice in the last year within 3 days of a trip because of a pressing need to be somewhere. Granted, the PerkSaver rewards require that Sat. night stay.
). FWIW, I wouldn't necessarily consider 33k miles orphan miles. Despite the constant devaluation in miles, I'd just hold on to them because you never really know when you might need them. I've redeemed miles twice in the last year within 3 days of a trip because of a pressing need to be somewhere. Granted, the PerkSaver rewards require that Sat. night stay.
Apr 18, 2007, 5:59 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MEL
Programs: DL, QF, QR Gold, MR Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,003
Bear in mind that you can also buy a ticket for someone else. I've redeemed roughly 3 times more miles for other people than I have for myself.