American Airline Miles??????

[Mouse Mom]

My husband unknowingly has been accumulating miles on his credit card - has about 250,000. American Airlines (we don't love AA - but have flown it from time to time).

I know nada about Air Miles --- went on the webiste and tried use the miles to book future trips to WDW - but of course it was during black out dates. Then it occurred to me that all these miles are in HIS name not my name or our 3 kiddies. I understand you can transfer up to 60,000 per year to a family member but then it cost as much as the ticket so what's the point.

Anyone know about using the miles for say a cruise or a hotel stay -- if the room is booked in his name and it cost X amount of air miles -- why do we need any air miles at all for a hotel stay, particularly if it is just a room reservation. I assume for the cruise - only his portion would be covered by air miles unless he gifts us whatever we need, which actually may be worth it (but not necessarily for the airfare from NY to MCO). Of course, he probably doesn't have enough points for the cruise.

Confused, but greedily want to use his miles for all of us...without, of course, being charged for it.....

Any advice????

 

[CarolA]

I used to fly AA a lot, but don't anymore.

Anyway, you can "buy" tickets for someone else using your miles. So DH could get them for you and kids without "transferring" them to you. (cheaper)

You might go over to www.flyertalk.com and post there for ideas on how to use these!

 

[Mouse Mom]

Thanks ... that's a good idea

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

use your miles to purchase your vacation not your airfare. www.AAvacations.com

Americans partner site lets you pay for hotels stays and packages with your airmiles.

the conversion rate for miles to dollars is 80.00 for every 10,000 miles. this is what the agent on the phone told me. You could book an entire vacation at disney with your miles and universal too.

For the most part this is much more of a value that an airline ticket.

Kimberly

 

[NancyIL]

I am aware of few blackout dates using American miles. If you're trying to book for a popular travel time like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or spring break - the FF seats could be already booked. It's pretty easy to see what is available on AA's site: http://www.aa.com/index_us.jhtml. Put in your dates and the number of travelers, and check the box that says "Redeem AAdvantage miles." By the way -I save miles for expensive plane tickets. It requires 25,000 miles for a domestic coach ticket, so I don't use miles if I can fly for less than $300/pp.