Frequent flyer miles are a hot commodity, creating billions of dollars for the airline industry and the hotels and credit card companies who award frequent flyer miles. Though these miles earn us tickets and other perks, if you don't fly or upgrade, they are worthless. If you have frequent flyer miles burning a hole in your pocket, follow these steps to fill in the gap.
Locate a mileage broker. Selling frequent flyer miles for cash isn't technically illegal, except in the state of Utah. However, major airlines frown upon the practice, stating in fine print that selling and buying their frequent flyer miles will terminate your membership. The solution is using mileage brokers such as Award Traveler or Webstow.
Register your miles with a frequent flyer miles broker. Record the number of miles you're selling, the airline's name and your asking price. You may sell as few or as many miles you wish; the broker will sell a small amount of miles. They will simply combine your miles with other miles on offer when the mileage the purchaser requires has been determined. The broker establishes the price and how many frequent flyer miles are necessary once they have a buyer.
Contact your airline. Ask the airline to put your award certificate in the buyer's name. Send the certificate to the broker who will in turn pass it along to the buyer.
Collect your money. The broker will take out their service fee and send you your proceeds.
