When Trissy Ren decided to go to the Summer Olympiad 2024, she booked her flight to Paris on Singapore Airlines using miles.
But she did not earn them – bought it.
Instead of buying miles directly from the airline, which sells 1000 miles for about 40 dollars, REN has turned to Carousell, a popular market on the Internet in the Asia Pacific region that sells new and used goods-and is increasingly capable of loyalty and rewards.
By buying miles online, “the cost is approximately 50 % compared to the purchase of the ticket.”
Is this allowed?
Aaron Wong, founder of the travel and loyalty site, said that the purchase and sale of airlines via the Internet is illegal. Million.
It also does not violate the Carrosel service conditions. The company, which prohibits weapons and cryptocurrencies, said, ” Travel CNBC Through an actor: “The governance of the sale of flying miles and points depends on the conditions and conditions … (from) the airline … Carrosel is not informed on it and not in a situation that is allowed to enforce the third -party agreements.”
This is the place where the sellers rule online for the rules, as Wong said. The loyalty program for Singapore Airline states that “selling or bartering Krisflyer Miles … is prohibited.”
Online sellers are often valued at half of the cost of Singapore Airlines, which sells 1000 miles for about $ 40.
China News Service China News Service Gety pictures
And Wong said: “The question, then, does not revolve around whether it can … but whether or not you can get rid of it,” Wong said.
He said that in the event that any airline arrests travelers who buy or sell miles, miles can be confiscated or the traveler loyalty account can be closed. Separately, buyers also run The risk of losing their money for deceptions onlineHe said.
How to work
Wong said that some sellers transfer the credit card directly to the Krisflyer account of Jupiter. He said that the names of the accounts need to be identical, but he added that “things fall through cracks.”
He said that the most common method is to name the buyer as a “candidate” as part of the Krisflyer program of the Singapore Airlines. Members canNomination of up to five individuals“They can recover flights to use their miles, according to the program.
There is nothing to do, which violates any conditions and conditions.
A member of Krisflyer in Singapore, who spoke to CNBC, said he uses this method to sell his miles to strangers to Carousell-at $ 17 from Singapore ($ 12.75) per 1000 miles for last and a half last year.
The seller, who asked not to be identified to protect his identity at work, said buyers should share their passport details to be appointed as a candidate.
“Since I have to get their personal details, I share the details with them as well. I share with them to prove my address … my phone number,” he said. “It gives them additional comfort if any error occurs.”
He said that things explode. He said he had twice to interfere with the tickets he recovered to others, including an example in which one of the buyers asked to postpone a trip on the day of departure.
The seller said: “In this position, the case was so fine, but if he would call me after 15 minutes, I would be at an hour meeting,” adding that the buyer paid the flight change fees immediately as well.
He said that the small size of Singapore and the low crime rate makes it easy to sell airlines miles in the city state.
“that it A somewhat compatible community. He said that people usually do not take each other to ride. “
Why are the sellers selling
Another seller, who refused to give his name or allow CNBC to use the Caroussell screen name, said he started selling Krisflyer Miles more than 10 years ago after collecting more points – mainly by buying credit cards – more than he could use. In addition, he was always “chasing with expiration.”
Carroselle says it sells 1000 miles for $ 15 to $ 25 – depending on the purchase method and the number of miles purchased. He had six “five -star” reviews for Miles Sales last month, where buyers chant his “Fast” and “trouble -free” transactions.
However, CNBC's first seller said he sells points for a completely different reason – to buy trips to his family on cheaper transport companies.
He said: “Airlines in Singapore ends that it is an expensive airline to avoid, so my money rarely spent flying on (that).” “You sell those miles, you will get money, and use the same money in your other reservations.”
In addition, trips usually write about six weeks ago – by that time, redemptions are usually sold. He also said he did not do that Buy products using Krisflyer Miles Because “the account does not accumulate.”
This seller told CNBC that he does not feel that he breaks any rules.
“The aviation regulations say that people need to add it as a candidate in my account,” he said. “There is nothing to do, which violates any conditions and conditions.”
However, when asked about the sale of Krisflyer Miles on Carousell using the Singapore Airlines candidate system, one of the actor said that the conditions of the program “prohibited the strictly selling or barter Krisflyer Miles, ELite Miles, PPS Value, rewards, prizes or other benefits.”
The actor said, “The members who participate in such activities risk canceling these benefits,” the actor said. “SIA is closely cooperating with the relevant authorities to monitor these platforms and will take decisive measures against any member that contradicts these rules.”
Less legitimate methods
This did not prevent the “Miles Broker” cottage industry from appearing online, Wong said in MILELION.
“The airlines tend to focus more on brokers and the older men,” he said. “Carrosel sellers know this too.”
He said that the airlines are trying to prevent the sale of miles without making the remedies excessively for members “who play with rules.” In the end, “they were not really able to finance it completely.”
Wong suggests using services such as Citi Payall and Cardup, which allows users to earn miles of bills, rent and educational payments.
“The paradox I see here is that you can do this – legally – for less.”
