Can I book a flight for someone else using my frequent flyer miles?
Q: Hey Kojo, I’ve been saving up a ton of frequent flyer miles and I was thinking… can I actually use them to book a flight for someone else? I want to surprise a friend with a ticket, but I’m not sure if airlines allow that. Is it possible? Are there restrictions or extra fees? Would love your advice!
Absolutely. I’ve done it many times. Whether I’m helping out a friend, surprising a loved one with a trip, or just using up some miles I know I won’t need for myself, booking a flight for someone else using your own miles is totally possible. And honestly, I think it is one of the most satisfying ways to use them.
I’ve personally booked award tickets for family members, friends, and even a colleague who needed to get home urgently. It doesn’t involve much. All it takes from you is just a few clicks, and the miles will cover it.
But as you might guess, not all airlines make the process equally easy. So before you get too excited, let’s go over how this works and what to look out for.
Most Major Airlines Let You Do It
The good news? Most frequent flyer programs do allow you to redeem your miles for other people — even if they’re not family and even if their name isn’t anywhere in your account. Here’s a quick breakdown of some popular airlines I’ve used:
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Delta SkyMiles: You can book for anyone. There are no restrictions on family or account linking.
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United MileagePlus: Same deal here too. It’s very straightforward. All you need is just the traveler’s info.
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American AAdvantage: No problem at all. You don’t even need to add them to your account beforehand.
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Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: A bit more effort here but it is also quite easy. You’ll need to add the person to your “Redemption Nominees” list first. It’s easy to do online, but you can’t just book for anyone without this step.
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Qatar Airways Privilege Club: Similar to Singapore. You need to pre-register the traveler under your “Family List” before you can use miles on their ticket.
Things to Watch Out For
Even though it’s doable, there are some details you don’t want to overlook and trust me I’m saying this from experience.
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Miles are usually non-refundable: If the person cancels or doesn’t show up for the flight, you might not get those miles back. Some airlines are more forgiving than others, but be prepared.
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Taxes and fees still apply: Even if the flight is “free”, you’ll almost always need to pay some taxes, airport fees, or fuel surcharges. You usually do this with a credit card.
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Name must be exact: This is a big one. Make sure the name on the ticket exactly matches the traveler’s passport or ID. A small typo could mess everything up.
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Avoid transferring miles: While you can use your miles for someone else, actually transferring your miles to their account usually costs money and is rarely worth it. Just book the flight from your own account instead.
Kojo’s Personal Tips
Here are a few quick things I’ve learned from doing this myself:
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Make it a surprise: If you’re gifting a flight, you can keep the booking under wraps by using your email for the confirmation and check-in info. Just make sure the person is free on those travel dates.
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International travel? Do a passport check: Airlines won’t ask for passport or visa details when you book, but immigration definitely will. Don’t let your good deed turn into a failed boarding.
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Use airlines you’re already comfortable with: Some airline portals are slow or buggy. If you’ve used the platform before and know your way around it, it’ll be much easier to fix issues if they pop up later.
Final Word
Using your frequent flyer miles to book someone else a flight is one of those feel-good travel hacks. It’s a generous move and a practical one too, especially if your own travel plans are on hold but your miles are just sitting there.
Just double-check the airline’s rules, type the name carefully, and keep your card handy for any small taxes or fees. Then sit back and enjoy the fact that you just gave someone the gift of travel without technically spending actual cash.
