Need a ticket to Seoul, Korea.

[Ophelia Black]

Now, let me first announce that I know absolutely nothing about airmiles, so this may be the silliest question ever, but here goes; I'm trying to get to Korea for a week in the next couple of months to visit a friend, but don't have the extra cash for a return ticket from Vancouver.

Now - can a person donate airmiles to another person? I'm thinking of some kind of barter arrangement. Or maybe somebody in the travel industry might be able to swap some tickets for my fabulous...uh, conversational skills?

Am I out of my mind, or could this work?

 

[xarir]

Most airmiles (i.e. Aeroplan, Airmiles) are transferrable only to immediate family members. Even then there are quite a few restrictions. If you are a few miles short you can usually purchase more up to a limit.

On Air Canada (Star Alliance) I think Canada to Asia is around 80,000 to 120,000 points depending on your routing. Your knight in shining armour could just purchase a ticket (either cash or points) but for most normal people it takes an awful long time to accumulate that many points.

 

[Fuzzy Thumper]

Most airmiles (i.e. Aeroplan, Airmiles) are transferrable only to immediate family members. Even then there are quite a few restrictions. If you are a few miles short you can usually purchase more up to a limit.

...the "buying" miles in shortfall is usually up to 10% of the total, and it's at a pretty silly price, if I recall (like $.10 per mile, or something like that)....

I don't think you can transfer Aeroplan miles, but it certainly is possible for someone to use their miles to get a ticket for you (I've done it for unrelated friends before).... there are some rules if you want to change things on the itinerary or return the ticket, but I've never had a problem...

Good luck, and have fun in Korea Ms. Black!

FT.

 

[WhaWhaWha]

I have done it. I helped my friend bring her daughter to Toronto from Newfoundland. I had to close my account to do it and my points were transferred to her account. I had to provide authorization in writing and courier the signed permission to AirMiles head office. It took about tweo weeks to complete the transaction. My Air Miles are gone now or I would gladly work out such an arrangement with you.

 

[Ophelia Black]

Thanks guys! So it kind of looks like it's possible, but a little unlikely, because it sounds like a bit of a hassle...hmmm back to the ol' drawing board...

Still though, maybe somebody in the travel biz might have an angle...and I figure I'd double the ticket value in Ophelia Bucks.

Better than Canadian Tire dollars because I'm cuter than most Canadian tire guys, and know at least as much about tools as some of those dudes

And thanks WhaWhaWha...alas!

 

[WhaWhaWha]

Ophelia Bucks...
At least the picture in the middle would be a damn sight prettier than that Scottish guy Canadian Tire uses. Who is he anyway? Our first "Canadian Tire" Prime Minister -- Sir John A Mechanic?

 

[Back Burner]

You can use your air miles (Air Canada) for anyone. I have gotten trips for friends and family. The problem is the trip to Korea could be over 80,000, maybe more.

Back Burner

 

[xarir]

You can use your air miles (Air Canada) for anyone. I have gotten trips for friends and family.

That's true - you can buy a ticket for anyone you want, but generally speaking you can't transfer points to their account.

 

[slademan]

You can't transfer points to another persons account, but you can use someone elses account when buying the tickets and you can use their Air Miles that way. I do it all the time, my friend is a travel agent and she finds someone who is willing to buy my airmiles off me. She then proceeds to book the ticket using my airmiles account. I'm not sure if you can do it with Airmiles, but you can do it with Aeroplan.

 

[WhaWhaWha]

You can't transfer points to another persons account

Yes you can if you close your own account in the process. I did it once to help a friend.