Can you use airline miles for something besides flights?

[Kellydelly]

I'm planning our next trip and I'm wondering if all the airline miles my husband has racked up with work travel are good for anything besides flights? Do they have any other value (gift cards?). We always (usually) drive to our destinations so I don't see us using the miles for more flying.

 

[DawnCt1]

I'm planning our next trip and I'm wondering if all the airline miles my husband has racked up with work travel are good for anything besides flights? Do they have any other value (gift cards?). We always (usually) drive to our destinations so I don't see us using the miles for more flying.

Whose miles are you collecting? I spent Delta Sky Miles 10K miles for $100 worth of Macy's gift cards but they have all kinds of of on shops that you can shop at to redeem your miles. I redeemed them in July because they had a bounce back offer. "redeem 10K and double your miles until Sept. 30." That was a good deal for me because we were remodeling our kitchen and doubling the miles of the cabinet purchase, plumbing fixtures, lighting, etc, more than put back those miles. You may want to "keep your miles alive" so they don't expire by on line shopping every now and then. DS#1's miles were going to expire in May 2011, so I logged on through his Skymiles number, and DH ordered two Lands End sweaters that he was going to order anyway. That put DS over the 30K mark. Of course with mileage inflation, you need more miles than ever to redeem them for your dream trip, but then you have to start somewhere. Years ago I started saving miles for Hawaii when the kids were way to young to embark on that kind of trip. Finally all six of us went, on miles, no charge for air fare, and since then we have been 3 other times, all of us and DH and I in first class twice. I love those air miles but it is obvious that we will need a lot more than we used to need.

 

[jlder72]

I used mine for a weekend getaway. If you book through the travel button on their website you can use them towards the hotel stay. Went to San Diego and stayed on the beach.

 

[Gigi22]

Depends on your airline's affiliates. Check their website to find out what they offer. You should also find out if your airline participates in points trading with other airlines, hotels, etc. For example, a number of airlines participate in Points.com, as does Hilton, SPG, Holiday Inn, Amtrak and others.