Free! Why, Where, When, And How?
Frequent flyer miles have your flight expenses covered because these are miles you earn that accumulate over time to equate free flights or additional benefits with an airline or its participating partners.
What is the Frequent Flyer Mile All About?
The majority of airlines out there in our world have the frequent flyer program created to encourage their customers to enrol in the program. This enrollment qualifies them to earn points that increase over time and can be redeemed for air travel, upgrades, or use for shopping with program partners and additional benefits.
The essence of this frequent flyer mile is to appreciate loyal customers to an airline by awarding them.
Is Selling Frequent Flyer Mile illegal?
The sale of frequent flyer miles has increased throughout the years. You can now see advertisements from websites eager to buy your miles online. The frequent flyer program solely acknowledges you like the program benefactor and not other third parties, thus most people enquire as to whether it is unlawful to sell their flyer miles.
Let’s get right to the point: Selling frequent flyer mile is not illegal, but it is against the loyalty program’s rules, which you accept when you first sign up for the program.
MileagePlus loyalty program of United Airlines terms and conditions
Here is what the MileagePlus loyalty program of United Airlines terms and conditions says:
“…Any mileage, certificates, PlusPoints, awards, benefits or status sold, bartered or otherwise transferred violates the Rules and any accounts or Members involved in such sales, barters or other transfers may be subject to United’s Remedies…”
As you can see from the above, it is against the to sell frequent flyer miles and transfer miles in any other way. This is Because there are penalties associated with this action, just because you see others selling it online doesn’t mean you should take advantage of this.
How Risky Is It Selling Frequent Flyer Mile?
The development of technology has made it possible for airlines to keep an eye on the beneficiaries of their loyalty program accounts. To put it another way, there is a high chance of being caught if you try selling your frequent flyer miles to third parties.
Since the airline surveillance approach is now optimized, the risk is even greater if you sell it to complete strangers online. Your account is marked as suspect if you redeem your miles under several identities. However, giving family members your mile has less risk because it will be hard for them to detect as it shows the same last name.
What You Stand to Lose If Caught Selling Frequent Flyer Mile?
A loyalty program is designed to reward customers for their loyalty to an airline, so, it’s wrong when you choose not to redeem those prices as they are meant for you but went ahead to sell them to someone else. This act is eventually prohibited by all airlines.
Therefore, they have every right to shut down your account for breach of terms. However, it doesn’t stop there, you are likely to pay for damages, litigation costs, and other punishments that can apply.
Ways To Legitimately Sell Your Frequent Flyer Mile
Through Transfer of Frequent Flyer Mile: It’s possible to have your mile transfer to another account with certain fees applied. Although, this doesn’t represent good value unless it’s to top up to redeem award tickets.
Through Points. com: Despite the prohibition rules, you can still sell your frequent flyer mile using Points. com. However, the exchange rate isn’t fair, as you get less money in return for the value of the point sold out.
Conclusion
I will resound this warning again: selling frequent flyer miles isn’t illegal but prohibited by loyalty programs as it violates their terms and conditions. Stay out of further penalties attached to this act by truly utilizing your mile as it’s meant for you.
- Why is Point.com Allowed?
This is because points.com is in collaboration with the majority of airlines. Hence, it remits a certain percentage to them for selling points, the more reason for the high exchange rate when you decide to sell frequent flyer miles through this channel.
- Does the frequent flyer mile expire?
The answer to this question varies depending on the airline. Airlines such as Delta, Southwest, and United let you keep your earnings forever. Whereas others have an expiring date attached which could be 12 months or 36months.
- Can I earn a mile without flying?
The most basic way is by flying regularly with the same airline. But, you can still earn a mile by signing up for a reward credit card and using it to shop with program partners.
