Selling air miles.

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Discussion

King Herald

Original Poster:

23,501 posts

216 months

Sunday 20th November 2016
quotequote all
I've asked several times in the past, in several arenas, where to sell frequent flyer air miles. never had any positive answers until no though. Anyway, I had 260,000 miles on American Airlines, that I've never, ever used. A month or two ago they emailed me telling me that if I didn't do something, earn some more, spend some, they they all disappear 12/12/16

I really didn't want to fly somewhere just for the hell of it, and hey have no connections direct from the PI anyway, so I inquired about selling them. I was pointed at a company called www.flipmymiles.com

I went to the website, gave my details, they gave a quote within 30 minutes for how much they would pay for the miles, $2300 for all my miles. You can get better deals apparently, but I had tried to other places that just didn't bother to reply. confusedmad

So, sent off my frequent flyer club check-in details, had a phone call from the company owner, Seth, and the money was in my Paypal 30 minutes later, $2300 minus $100 pay-pals 'recipients fee' deducted.

Paypal then offered to change it to quids, as my account is in GB quids, and they gave me 1.25 exchange rate, which is pretty good really.

£1760 in my Pay-pal account now, something to spend on Ebay when we move back to civilisation.

Be aware: Apparently selling air miles is not illegal, but it is against airline frequent flyer rules. You can give them, gift them, donate them to charity, but not sell them...

HotJambalaya

2,026 posts

180 months

Monday 21st November 2016
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You could have done something small to keep them going, I think its just a small bit of activity, for BA you go through their shopping partner and buy a song or something on itunes for 99p, keeps them going another 2 years...

The Moose

22,847 posts

209 months

Monday 21st November 2016
quotequote all
HotJambalaya said:
You could have done something small to keep them going, I think its just a small bit of activity, for BA you go through their shopping partner and buy a song or something on itunes for 99p, keeps them going another 2 years...
If he never uses them and never will, better to have the £1,760!

menguin

3,764 posts

221 months

Monday 21st November 2016
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If I weren't aware of the OPs posting history and credentials on the forum I'd think this was some sort of scam. How do flipmymiles make money - I assume they sell them on to others, but I can't see anything on their site that points to where I could potentially buy miles. Strange!

I have a few BA miles that I never intend to use.. I'll try it out!

King Herald

Original Poster:

23,501 posts

216 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
quotequote all
HotJambalaya said:
You could have done something small to keep them going, I think its just a small bit of activity, for BA you go through their shopping partner and buy a song or something on itunes for 99p, keeps them going another 2 years...
I was hoping to buy flights, but they have nothing leaving from the Philippines, so I'd have to buy a flight to Hong Kong before I could get 'free flights'. I just decided to unload them while I still had them.

The Moose said:
If he never uses them and never will, better to have the £1,760!
Exactly what I was thinking.


menguin said:
If I weren't aware of the OPs posting history and credentials on the forum I'd think this was some sort of scam. How do flipmymiles make money - I assume they sell them on to others, but I can't see anything on their site that points to where I could potentially buy miles. Strange!

I have a few BA miles that I never intend to use.. I'll try it out!
My reputation precedes me. thumbup

The communications I received indicate that they actually buy flights with my miles immediately, possibly for customers already waiting. I basically handed over control of my AA account to them.

Next problem, the money that landed in my newly opened Paypal account is actually in suspension for 21 days, something to do with their basic rules. I went round and round on their page trying to get an explanation, but a simple Google gave me the info.

Lucky I am your average broad shoulder and wealthy Pistonheads company director and don't need the funds immediately.....coffee

Jefferson Steelflex

1,442 posts

99 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
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Maybe I can do something similar with my RCI Timeshare points...I have hundreds of thousands of them and want rid, but it's a limited market.

Puggit

48,439 posts

248 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
quotequote all
KH, the beauty of alliances is that you cloud have spent your points on partner airlines. Cathay would be the obvious local one, maybe Qatar would have helped.

Harder than spending on the named airline, but part of the fun.

King Herald

Original Poster:

23,501 posts

216 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
quotequote all
Puggit said:
KH, the beauty of alliances is that you cloud have spent your points on partner airlines. Cathay would be the obvious local one, maybe Qatar would have helped.

Harder than spending on the named airline, but part of the fun.
That's what the blurb tells me, but trying to do it was a logistical nightmare. I was advised to call American Airlines, but Phils to USA would be a pretty hefty price. And reportedly 30 minutes on hold is normal.

I like to use Qatar airways, also a One World member....but no, not allowed .......

Puggit

48,439 posts

248 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
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I would have though as an expat you would have learned the beauty of Skype? You could call the US for a fraction of the cost smile

King Herald

Original Poster:

23,501 posts

216 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
quotequote all
Never really used it actually but I'm sure it requires the other end to be logged on, or, or similar?

GT03ROB

13,263 posts

221 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
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King Herald said:
Never really used it actually but I'm sure it requires the other end to be logged on, or, or similar?
Nope internet to landline or mobile, no problem for a few c/min

Puggit

48,439 posts

248 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
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And if AA had a freephone number in USA you could ring for free, for example.

King Herald

Original Poster:

23,501 posts

216 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
quotequote all
Hmm, technology is advancing faster than I am. boxedin

Puggit

48,439 posts

248 months

Thursday 24th November 2016
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King Herald said:
Hmm, technology is advancing faster than I am. boxedin
The worrying thing is that Skype as been like this for at least 10 years wink

King Herald

Original Poster:

23,501 posts

216 months

Monday 5th December 2016
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Just sold another 97,000 Skymiles to the same Flipmymiles guy, $780

I've had 'em years, never, ever used any, so though it was time to part ways.

Puggit

48,439 posts

248 months

Monday 5th December 2016
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Amusingly I've discovered I can buy an xbox with my IHG points. Mrs P won't let me buy another xbox, but this isn't 'buying' biggrin

King Herald

Original Poster:

23,501 posts

216 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
I can buy a whole load of stuff with AA miles, as long as I am in the USA.......

downthepub

1,373 posts

206 months

Monday 5th December 2016
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KH, hat tip to you sir. Didn't know that this is a thing. Anyway, I've got a bunch of Virgin points languishing in my account for which I have no real use. Been offered a $1K for them. Weighing up the risk/reward at the mo, but sounding like a set of winter tyres for the car.

Edited by downthepub on Monday 5th December 19:16

King Herald

Original Poster:

23,501 posts

216 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
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I've been flying round the world for 23 years, but only started collecting miles 10 years ago. And apart from upgrading on Qatar one time, I've never spent any. May as well get something for them while I have chance.

Heard several succes stories about it, so I gave it a go.

GT03ROB

13,263 posts

221 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
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Interested to see what they will offer for my 650k Avios!!



Ok so just over $4000.....not worth it.

Edited by GT03ROB on Tuesday 6th December 07:05