milepoint.com: use your airline miles for purchases

[tmc]

got from FW from the post by booksleuth:

http://www.milepoint.com allows you to convert your airline miles to amazon gift certificates etc. the rate is like 2 cents per mile.

anybody used them before?

edit - oops sorry, looks like you can use only a % of your miles for purchase. for amazon it is like 5%. not a hot deal. please see the discussion below.

 

[booksleuth]

Another point, tmc, is that if you can cash in your miles, before say US Airways goes bust, this is a big help.

Example: you have 21,450 miles on US Airways, cheapest free ticket or upgrade is 25,000 miles, this mile total will translate to $429.00 on the milepoint site.

Cash them miles before US Air is no more !

 

[jtallon]

From what I can tell, you can only use airline miles for 5% of the purchase price of a gift certificate at Amazon. So a $100 GC costs $95 plus some miles. 5% off is almost worthless IMHO.

Somebody please correct me if you see some other way to convert miles into GC's through milepoint that allows you to use miles to pay for 100% of the cost of the GC. Best I can tell, miles will only get you free magazines on milepoint...

 

[dysdys]

yes, I believe jtallon is right.

So, you can only use the mileage for a small portion of the purchase.

 

[chexi]

MilePoint members need to provide information regarding the frequent traveler programs in which they are enrolled. We gather all of your account balances and inform you of what your miles and points equate to in dollars. Then, you go shopping. When you make a purchase, your miles will be available for 5% to 20% payment at most MilePoint e-tailers, and up to 100% payment with select merchants. Your miles and points do not transfer from your loyalty accounts until YOU DECIDE you want to use them.

Since 1995, Amazon.com has evolved into the most recognized shopping destination on the Internet - a world where people can find, discover and buy millions of products. From books, music, videos, DVDs, and software to cameras, consumer electronics, computers, kitchen products, tools, toys and more, Amazon.com makes giving (and receiving) gifts easy, fast and secure.

? Gift certificates can be redeemed at www.amazon.com.

? Gift certificates and unused portions of gift certificates expire six months from date of issuance except where prohibited by law.

? Amazon.com electronic gift certificates purchased through MilePoint may not be returned or exchanged, and are not redeemable for cash.

? If your order exceeds the amount of the gift certificate, the balance must be paid with a credit card.

? Any unused balance will be placed in the recipient's gift certificate account.

? Gift certificates are combinable - more than one gift certificate can be redeemed on an order.

? Additional restrictions apply. Visit www.amazon.com/gc-legal for Terms and Conditions.

? MilePoint limits electronic gift certificate purchases by a member to a maximum of $200.00 per day.

Ordering Multiple Certificates:
A) To order multiple gift certificates of the same denomination for the same person, simply change desired quantity and continue.
B) To order the same denomination gift certificate for more than one person, leave quantity at 1. Enter delivery information for first person. On the next page, click "Buy More Certificates" and repeat for next person.
C) To order more than one denomination gift certificate, leave quantity at 1. Choose first value. Enter delivery information. On next page, click "Buy More Certificates" and repeat for next value.

I didn't see any limit to the percentage for Amazon.com. If you have text saying otherwise, please post. I saw limits on some of the other merchants.

 

[jtallon]

Try to actually order one. On the screen where it is showing the Amazon info "Since 1995, Amazon.com has evolved into ...", on the right hand side is the 'Select Certificate' box. The options are:

$25 GC = $23.75 + 63 miles
$50 GC = $47.50 + 125 miles
$100 GC = $95 + 250 miles

I think the link Milepoint Amazon GC will show the GC screen...

So I don't see any way around it. The only place you can redeem for 100% off is in 'Magazines for Miles', where the average subscription takes about a thousand miles...

Edit - the actual gift certificate cost rate doesn't appear to show up unless you are logged in, so my link above doesn't show it. I guess you'll have to take my word for it, or actually create an account at milepoint. Sorry...

 

[dentalboy]

deal is not that great can only use miles for 5% not much