I'm never going to use my frequent-flier miles because of the hassles of getting a seat when I want it. Can I sell them?
You can, although doing so will violate the rules of major airlines -- rules that you agree to when you join their programs. So we don't recommend doing this. If your carrier discovers you have sold miles, it can cancel your membership and any remaining miles you have in your account. How it works: When you sell miles, you go through a so-called coupon broker (you can find them on the Internet), who essentially links buyers and sellers. They locate someone who wants a ticket for a specific destination at a cheap price. The broker then finds a seller with enough miles to fly there. The broker asks the seller to request an award ticket in the buyer's name. The broker pays the seller, although you can expect to be paid less than two cents per mile. A safer and better option, says Tim Winship, editor at large of smartertravel.com, is to exchange your miles for merchandise (if your airline offers this), magazine subscriptions, rental cars or hotel certificates. You can also donate them to a charity (American Airlines, for example, will donate your miles to the Make-a-Wish Foundation) or give them to a friend or family member as a gift.
