A Travel and vacations forum. TravelBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » TravelBanter forum » Travelling Style » Air travel
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

When to Trade Your Miles Regardless of the Cost



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old March 4th, 2009, 06:52 AM posted to rec.travel.air
Ablang
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 123
Default When to Trade Your Miles Regardless of the Cost

When to Trade Your Miles Regardless of the Cost
Frequent Flyer Q&A
by Tim Winship - March 3, 2009

http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-...0&u=SL4F6B4DC5

Dear Tim,

I read last summer's article about web-based rewards programs but
there was one conspicuously absent that is a little different and I'd
like to hear your feedback about it.

I recently joined Points.com and I was able to pull together several
but not nearly all the points programs I have joined. I was a little
disappointed at how few programs were actually represented but I
pressed on. When I began to try and exchange points for a retail gift
card from Macy's, I found that they were asking for 32K points for a
$25 gift card. That strikes me as a complete rip-off. Do you see any
redeeming value to their program????

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Tom

Dear Tom,

As you rightly point out, the problem with Points.com transactions is
the dismal exchange rate. In the great majority of cases, you will get
much better value when cashing in miles for a free ticket than
exchanging them through Points.com.
Advertisement

I have brought the issue to the attention of Points.com executives,
suggesting that they would do significantly more business if they
revised the exchange rates to be more favorable to consumers. They
took the point but advised me that the rates were dictated by the
companies whose miles and points are in play.

Whatever the source of the problem, it is a serious one that
fundamentally undermines the service's value.

There is, however, a place for Points.com exchanges in the mileage-
earner's tool kit: small quantities of miles residing in inactive
accounts—what I call orphan miles. Rather than allow those miles to
languish indefinitely, it can make sense to exchange them for a gift
card, for example, or for miles in a program in which you actively
participate. A half loaf is better than no loaf at all.
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
AIRLINE COST VS GROUND COST [email protected] Air travel 0 June 28th, 2007 06:27 AM
Trade Up [email protected] Backpacking and Budget travel 0 October 11th, 2006 04:46 PM
Need 30K alaska miles, will trade Southwest Voucher plus cash [email protected] Air travel 1 October 9th, 2006 05:32 AM
Best miles card deal? and United miles card questions? [email protected] Air travel 5 July 1st, 2006 07:02 AM
Swap AA miles for UA miles EMD Travel Marketplace 0 September 14th, 2005 05:48 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 TravelBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.