Can I Use Airline Miles to Buy a Ticket for Someone Else? Complete Guide for 2026

Joseph Hellman
March 22, 2026

Our Quick Background and Intro:

You want to surprise your parents with a beach week. Or help a close friend make a last minute wedding in Denver. The big question on your mind is simple: can i use airline miles to buy a ticket for someone else? Yes, you can. It is easier than most people think.

Most major airline loyalty programs let you use your frequent flyer miles to book award flights for another person. You do not need to be related to them and you do not need to fly on the same itinerary. I have booked award travel for family and friends through American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, and JetBlue. The steps are straightforward, though every airline has its own quirks.

This guide shows you exactly how it works across multiple airlines. You will get step by step instructions for the biggest programs, clear notes on fees and restrictions, and the edge cases people ask about most. That includes booking for kids, partner and international routes, and what to do when the flights you want are not showing award space.

Why this matters right now. Understanding how to book others with your miles helps you squeeze real value from points you have been sitting on. The right redemption can turn idle miles into meaningful trips. And if booking is not the smartest move, we will flag better options so you do not waste rewards.

Here is what you will learn: how miles from your airline loyalty program pay for someone else’s ticket, what information you need to complete the booking, typical taxes and fees you should expect to pay with a card, and when it makes financial sense to use miles versus paying cash. We will also touch on restrictions that pop up, like name rules and minor traveler policies.

If you are wondering can i use airline miles to buy a ticket for someone else on American vs. Delta vs. United, you are in the right place. We will cover those, plus Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue, and a few international carriers so you can book confidently no matter where your miles live.

Quick heads up before we start. You are using your own miles to issue an award ticket in the traveler’s name, so the miles come out of your account. You will still owe government taxes and any carrier fees at checkout. That is normal across programs. From there, the traveler gets a regular confirmation and flies like any other passenger.

How Airline Miles Work for Third-Party Bookings

Here is the short version. Your miles live in your mileage account, and you can usually use them to book an award ticket for someone else. The ticket is issued in their name, not yours. You do not need to be related. You also do not need to fly with them. Think of miles as a currency you control. You decide who flies, when, and on which flights, as long as there is award space and the program allows the redemption.

The Basics of Award Travel for Others

When you book a third-party reservation, the airline deducts miles from your account, then issues the ticket in the traveler’s full legal name. You handle the booking from your login. They take the trip. Simple. During checkout you provide the passenger’s details, pay the mandatory taxes and fees with a card, and choose where the confirmation email goes. The other person does not need access to your account at any point.

Most major programs openly allow this. For example, Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus both let members redeem miles for anyone, subject to normal award availability and fare rules. You can review each program’s terms here: Delta SkyMiles program page and United MileagePlus program page. Policies change sometimes, so it is smart to skim the current rules before you move miles around.

Miles are tied to the account holder, not to any specific traveler
You control the booking and the redemption options
The award ticket is issued in the traveler’s name with their ID details
Taxes and fees are paid during checkout with a credit card
Confirmation and updates can go to you, the traveler, or both

Two quick tips from real-world use. Make sure the name matches the traveler’s government ID exactly. And if the traveler has their own frequent flyer number for the operating airline or a partner, you can usually add it so they can manage seats and receive benefits tied to their status. That does not change who owns or pays for the redemption.

Who Can You Book For?

In most programs there is no relationship requirement at all. You can use your travel rewards to book for family, friends, colleagues, or even someone you sold a ticket to as a gift. The system cares that the miles came from your mileage account and that award space exists. It rarely cares who the traveler is.

Immediate family like your spouse, child, or parents
Extended family like siblings, cousins, or in-laws
Friends, classmates, teammates, or roommates
Work contacts for a project or last-minute client trip
A stranger you choose to help, like donating an award ticket for a cause

There are a few exceptions globally. Some non-U.S. loyalty programs limit redemptions to a registered list of family members or require you to add “authorized users” before booking. If you are working with a non-U.S. carrier, double-check the program’s family or nominee rules first. For the big U.S. programs like Delta, United, American, Southwest, Alaska, and JetBlue, booking for someone else is standard practice.

One more angle people ask about. If you are sitting on miles you probably will not use, booking for others is not the only path. Some travelers prefer to convert rewards to cash through a mileage broker like The Points King when cash is simply more useful than a flight. Selling or buying miles comes with its own considerations, so treat it as an alternative rather than a default.

Do You Need to Travel Together?

No, you do not need to be on the same flight or itinerary. The traveler flies on their own ticket. They check in with their confirmation code and ID just like any other passenger. Your presence has nothing to do with whether the award ticket is valid. The airline only cares that the miles were available and redeemed properly.

The account holder does not need to travel
You can book one-way, round-trip, or multi-city for someone else
It is fine to book different dates and routes for different people from the same account
Some post-booking changes may require the account holder to call, depending on the airline
Name corrections are tricky on award tickets, so enter details carefully at the start

Bottom line. Miles are your currency to use, and third-party reservations are a normal redemption option with most major airlines. As long as you have enough miles, the right award space, and accurate passenger info, you can send someone else on their way without stepping on the plane yourself.

Step-by-Step Guide: Booking Award Tickets for Others by Airline

You can book award flights for almost anyone as long as the miles live in your account. The flow is similar across programs. You log in to the airline loyalty program, search with miles, pick flights, then enter the other traveler’s details exactly as they appear on their ID or passport. Below, you’ll find detailed steps for the biggest U.S. airlines plus three international programs. I’ve flagged a few quirks, fees, and redemption options that matter so you avoid missteps and get a clean booking confirmation the first time.

American Airlines AAdvantage

American makes it straightforward to redeem AAdvantage miles for someone else. You do not need to be on the itinerary. Start at the AAdvantage booking flow and be meticulous with the passenger information for the traveler you are helping.

Go to American’s site and sign in to your AAdvantage account. Use the Book option and toggle miles. Link: aa.com or learn more here: AAdvantage award travel.
Choose one-way or round-trip, enter airports and dates, then check the box to use miles. If your dates are flexible, try the calendar to see broader award availability.
Browse results. You may see American-operated flights and partner options. Pick schedules that fit, keeping an eye on connection times and total travel time.
Select the itinerary. Review cabin, connection airports, and any overnight layovers.
Enter the traveler’s details. Use the other person’s full legal name, date of birth, gender, and contact info. Add their Known Traveler Number or Redress Number if they have one. If they have their own frequent flyer number, you can usually add it. Do not put your name unless you are flying.
Review the price in miles plus taxes and fees. Pay the taxes and fees with a credit card. Government fees on U.S. domestic itineraries typically start at $5.60 per one-way trip, and international trips can include additional taxes or carrier surcharges.
Confirm and submit. Put the best email address for the traveler or your own email. The booking confirmation will be delivered to the address you enter on this screen.

Fees and notes: American no longer adds a close-in award booking fee when you redeem online. Taxes and any applicable surcharges still apply. Partner awards can carry higher fees depending on the route. If your traveler needs an unaccompanied minor service, booking rules differ and often require a call.

Delta SkyMiles

Delta’s site is clean and forgiving. Pricing is dynamic, so being flexible with dates helps. If you hold a Delta American Express card, Delta’s Pay with Miles is another redemption option, although that is separate from classic award tickets and functions more like a cash discount.

Sign in at Delta. Click Book, then ensure the “Shop with Miles” toggle is on. Main link: delta.com. Program how-to: Use miles on Delta.
Enter cities, dates, and travelers. If dates are flexible, pull up the 5-week calendar to scan award availability by day.
Compare options. Look at total miles, departure times, and connection quality. Some routings use partner airlines like Air France, KLM, or Aeromexico.
Pick your flights and proceed.
On the passenger screen, enter the other person’s full legal name, birthdate, and contact details. Add their Known Traveler Number for TSA PreCheck if they have one. If they have their own SkyMiles number, you can add it for elite benefits tracking.
Review costs. Pay taxes and fees with a card. Domestic U.S. trips include mandatory government fees. International itineraries may add carrier-imposed surcharges on some partners.
Finalize the booking. Input the email address where you want the booking confirmation sent. You can add both your email and the traveler’s in the contact fields.

Fees and notes: Delta does not add a separate close-in award booking fee. Change and redeposit fees on award tickets have been removed for many itineraries that originate in North America, although Basic Economy awards remain more restrictive. Always review fare rules before you click purchase.

United MileagePlus

United’s award engine covers a large partner network. It is great for mixed-carrier trips. You can freely book award tickets for someone else without traveling with them.

Log in at United. Check the “Book with miles” box when you search. Start here: united.com. Award overview: MileagePlus award travel.
Enter route, dates, and number of travelers. If your timing is flexible, use the 30-day calendar view to see broader award availability.
Review flight choices. United shows mixed-cabin alerts, connection times, and aircraft details. Partner flights, like Lufthansa or ANA, may appear.
Select your itinerary and advance.
Fill in the traveler’s passenger information. It must match their government ID. Add their Known Traveler Number and, if they want to credit partner flights elsewhere, you can usually input that frequent flyer number in the traveler details.
Check the totals in miles plus taxes. Pay required taxes and fees with a credit card. Some partners add surcharges on international routes.
Complete the purchase. Put the most reliable email for the booking confirmation. You can add phone contact details for both you and the traveler.

Fees and notes: United removed close-in award fees. Standard taxes apply, and international partners can add carrier-imposed charges. Some niche partner awards may not display online. If a specific partner itinerary will not show, try calling.

Southwest Rapid Rewards

Southwest prices award flights in points roughly in line with the cash fare. You will not see a fixed award chart. You can book for anyone and do not have to be on the ticket. Seats are not assigned, so check in early.

Go to Southwest and sign in. On the search box, switch from Dollars to Points. Primary link: southwest.com. Points guide: Redeem Rapid Rewards points.
Enter cities and dates, then hit Search. If your dates are flexible, use the Low Fare Calendar to compare across a month.
Pick flights based on timing and total points. Wanna Get Away fares use fewer points but have more restrictions than Anytime or Business Select.
Proceed to checkout.
Enter the traveler’s name and information exactly as on their ID. Add their Known Traveler Number if available.
Pay the taxes and fees by card. For U.S. domestic itineraries, the government Security Fee starts at $5.60 per one-way trip.
Finish the booking. Add whatever email you prefer for the booking confirmation. You can change the email later in the reservation if needed.

Fees and notes: Southwest does not charge change fees, and when you cancel an award ticket the points typically go back to the account that paid for the ticket. The famous Companion Pass requires the pass holder to be on the itinerary. That perk is different from booking a separate award for someone else.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Alaska’s Mileage Plan shines on partner awards. You can often include a stopover on one-way partner tickets, which is handy for complex trips. Some partner awards must be booked by phone, although many appear online.

Log in at Alaska. Choose Book and toggle “Use miles.” Start here: alaskaair.com. Program hub: Alaska Mileage Plan.
Search your route and dates. If flexible, try the calendar function to compare award availability day by day.
Review results. Look for partner options, connection times, and any mixed-cabin notices. If a free stopover is useful, experiment with multi-city searching.
Pick flights and continue.
Enter the traveler’s full legal name, date of birth, and contact details. Add Known Traveler Number if they have one. If they want mileage credit to a partner program, you can usually list that program number in their traveler profile for the booking.
Confirm the miles and taxes. Some partners include carrier-imposed surcharges on certain international routes. Pay taxes and fees with a card.
Book the ticket and direct the booking confirmation to the right email address. You can add your email and the traveler’s for redundancy.

Fees and notes: Taxes apply across the board. Partner awards can carry added surcharges, which vary by airline and route. If a specific partner routing does not appear online, try calling; Alaska can often ticket it if award space exists.

JetBlue TrueBlue

JetBlue uses a revenue-linked model, so point costs usually track the cash fare. You can book for someone else right from your account. If your household uses JetBlue’s Points Pooling, that can help top up for a larger redemption.

Sign in at JetBlue. On the search tool, switch from Dollars to Points. Main site: jetblue.com. Program guide: How to use TrueBlue points.
Enter cities and dates, then search. If your timing is flexible, scan nearby dates for better award availability.
Compare flight times and total points. Blue Basic uses fewer points but is more restrictive than Blue, Blue Extra, or Mint.
Select the itinerary and proceed.
On the traveler screen, add the other passenger’s legal name, birthdate, contact info, and any Known Traveler Number. If they have a TrueBlue number, add it for tracking.
Confirm the mileage price and taxes. Pay taxes and fees with a credit card.
Complete the booking. Put the best email for the booking confirmation. You can also add mobile numbers for day-of-travel alerts.

Fees and notes: JetBlue does not charge change or cancel fees on most fares, although Blue Basic is more restrictive. Taxes and any partner fees apply where relevant.

International Airlines (British Airways, Air France, Emirates)

You can redeem miles for someone else on most international programs too. Award availability and surcharges vary more widely on these carriers, so always price a few date options before you commit. Partner bookings can carry different rules than flights operated by the airline you are redeeming with.

British Airways Executive Club (Avios). You can book for family, friends, or anyone else. BA uses Avios and distance based pricing, and it passes along carrier surcharges on many long haul BA flights.

Go to BA’s Avios booking page. Link: Book flights with Avios.
Sign in, search with Avios, and compare outbound and return options. Try the flexible dates calendar for more redemption options.
Select flights and continue.
Enter the other traveler’s full details exactly as on their passport. Add any Known Traveler or Redress information if the route involves U.S. security.
Review miles and cash. Expect taxes and carrier-imposed charges on BA metal. Partners like American Airlines on U.S. routes can sometimes have lower surcharges.
Pay and confirm. Send the booking confirmation to your email or the traveler’s email, or both.

Air France-KLM Flying Blue. Dynamic pricing with frequent Promo Rewards. You can redeem for anyone and often find decent value on off-peak dates.

Start at Flying Blue’s spend-miles page. Link: Air France Flying Blue spend miles.
Log in, search for award seats, and check alternate dates for better pricing.
Pick flights, including partners like KLM or Delta when available.
Enter passenger information for the person traveling. Use their exact name and birthdate from their passport.
Pay taxes and any carrier-imposed surcharges with a card.
Complete booking and direct the booking confirmation to the right email address.

Emirates Skywards. Emirates often has higher surcharges on certain long haul routes. You can still book award tickets online for a different traveler.

Head to the Skywards miles page and sign in. Link: Using Emirates Skywards Miles.
Search for award flights on your dates and compare cabin options.
Select flights and move to passenger details.
Enter the traveler’s legal name and contact details. Add any frequent flyer number they want to credit if the partner permits it.
Review miles, taxes, and carrier charges. Pay with a credit card.
Confirm and send the booking confirmation email to the traveler or to yourself.

International partner bookings: Some partner awards do not display online for every program. If the site errors out or a well known partner seat does not show, try the airline’s call center. Policies vary by carrier, and a phone booking fee may be waived if the award cannot be completed online.

Quick-compare reference table

Airline	Domestic one-way miles (typical minimum)	Typical booking fees	Online booking for others?
American Airlines AAdvantage	No fixed minimum; dynamic pricing	No close-in award fee online; taxes and any partner surcharges apply	Yes
Delta SkyMiles	No fixed minimum; dynamic pricing	No close-in fee; taxes and international surcharges vary	Yes
United MileagePlus	No fixed minimum; dynamic pricing	No close-in fee online; taxes and any partner surcharges apply	Yes
Southwest Rapid Rewards	No fixed minimum; points track fare price	No change fees; U.S. government taxes from $5.60 one-way	Yes
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan	Varies by partner and route	Taxes and partner surcharges on some routes	Yes
JetBlue TrueBlue	No fixed minimum; revenue linked	No change or cancel fees on most fares; taxes apply	Yes
British Airways Executive Club	Varies by distance band and route	Taxes plus carrier surcharges often higher on BA metal	Yes
Air France-KLM Flying Blue	No fixed minimum; dynamic	Taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges vary	Yes
Emirates Skywards	Varies by route and cabin	Taxes and carrier charges can be higher on some long haul	Yes

Practical tips that prevent headaches

Always match the traveler’s full name, date of birth, and gender to their ID or passport. Mismatches can cause day-of-travel issues.
Add the traveler’s Known Traveler Number for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry benefits if they have them. That detail lives in passenger information, not in your loyalty profile.
If the traveler has their own frequent flyer number with the operating airline, add it so they can earn any eligible elite credits or get benefits. Award tickets typically do not earn miles in the program used for redemption, but elite benefits on the operating carrier may still apply.
Watch connection times. The cheapest redemption options sometimes include long or risky connections. Saving 2,000 miles is not worth an overnight layover in the wrong city unless that is the plan.
Try flexible date calendars. With dynamic pricing, shifting one day can cut the miles required by a lot.
Send the booking confirmation to both your email and the traveler’s when possible. That way you can help manage changes, and they still get updates.

A quick note on restrictions. Name changes on award tickets are usually not allowed, so get it right the first time. Some airlines let you cancel and redeposit miles with minimal or no fees, but rules depend on program and fare level. International award flights can include higher taxes and surcharges than domestic trips. Always compare redemption options against a paid fare to make sure you are getting sensible value.

Fees, Restrictions, and Important Considerations

You can absolutely book an award ticket for a family member or friend. The mechanics feel a lot like booking for yourself. The gotchas live in the fine print. Fees still apply, seats are limited, and rules around changes or minors can trip you up if you are not ready. Here is the practical stuff I check every single time before I spend miles for someone else.

Booking Fees and Taxes

Miles cover the base fare. They do not cover government taxes and surcharges. On U.S. domestic flights, you will almost always see the mandatory TSA fee of $5.60 each way per person. International flights stack more line items. Think airport fees, immigration charges, and sometimes carrier-imposed surcharges that can be substantial on certain airlines and routes. Partner redemptions often mirror the operating carrier’s fee structure, so the same trip can cost very different cash amounts depending on which miles you use.

There usually are no separate booking fees just because you are doing a family member booking. Close-in booking penalties are rare now on the big U.S. programs. The real swing comes from taxes and surcharges. That is where people get surprised.

Airline/Program	Typical domestic one-way taxes	Typical international one-way taxes and surcharges	Notes
American Airlines AAdvantage	$5.60 within the U.S.	Often $50 to a few hundred dollars, route and airports dependent. Some partners pass along carrier surcharges.	No separate award booking fee in most cases. Partner fees vary.
Delta SkyMiles	$5.60 within the U.S.	Varies by origin and partner. Can include carrier-imposed surcharges on select partners and some routes.	Dynamic pricing. Close-in penalties generally not charged.
United MileagePlus	$5.60 within the U.S.	Typically taxes and airport fees only. United does not add carrier-imposed surcharges to partner awards.	Good choice to limit surcharges on many partner routes.
Southwest Rapid Rewards	$5.60 within the U.S.	Usually just government taxes and fees on international routes Southwest serves.	No change fees. Cash component is usually modest.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan	$5.60 within the U.S.	Varies by partner. Some partners have carrier surcharges.	Great partners, but watch partner-imposed fees.
JetBlue TrueBlue	$5.60 within the U.S.	Generally taxes and fees on JetBlue-operated routes. Partner itineraries can differ.	Cash portion tracks taxes. No separate award booking fee in most cases.
British Airways Executive Club	$5.60 on U.S. domestic partner flights	Often materially higher on BA-operated long-haul due to carrier-imposed charges plus taxes.	Short-haul partners can be low cash. Long-haul BA can be pricey in cash.
Air France/KLM Flying Blue	$5.60 on U.S. domestic partner flights	Varies by route. Usually includes carrier-imposed surcharges.	Promos can offset surcharges, but cash component still applies.

The examples above are typical patterns. Final amounts always depend on the exact cities, dates, and operating airline. If fees feel high, try different partners or nearby airports. Sometimes a small routing change drops hundreds in taxes and surcharges.

Who Pays the Fees?

The account holder controls the reservation and usually pays the booking fees, taxes, and surcharges during checkout with a credit card. You can enter the traveler’s card instead if you prefer they cover the cash part. The name on the credit card does not need to match the passenger.

Default: You pay at checkout using your card. You can later request reimbursement from the traveler if that is the arrangement.
Alternative: Use the traveler’s card at checkout. This keeps accounting clean and avoids paybacks.
Corporate or group scenarios: Consider a travel card that earns bonus points on airfare. You still cover taxes and surcharges, then reconcile internally.

Award Availability and Blackout Dates

Booking for someone else follows the same award availability rules you deal with for your own trips. Most major programs advertise no blackout dates. That does not mean every seat is available for miles. Airlines release a limited set of award seats at prices that move with demand. Busy holidays and short-notice weekends are often tougher. Partner airlines may offer different seats to their own members than to your program, which is why you sometimes see a seat on a partner site that your miles cannot touch.

Book early for peak dates. More seats typically means better award availability.
Be flexible on time and airport. A nearby airport can open up space and cut taxes.
Search one seat at a time to confirm space. Then add the second seat if needed.
Check partners individually. The operating carrier controls what partner programs can book.

Booking for Minor Children

You can use your miles to book for kids. Unaccompanied minors are different. Many airlines require phone booking for a child traveling alone and they add a supervision fee paid in cash. On American Airlines, unaccompanied minors must be booked by phone and specific age rules apply. You can review their policy here: American Airlines unaccompanied minors.

Age cutoffs vary. Common pattern is service required for ages roughly 5 to 14 when flying alone.
Expect a phone-only process for true unaccompanied minors. Miles cover the award ticket. The UM service fee is paid with a card.
If an adult is on the same reservation, many airlines treat the child as a standard passenger. Online booking is usually fine.
Lap infants on international award tickets often trigger separate cash charges based on a percentage of the adult fare. Domestic lap infants are typically taxes only.

Delta and United both publish clear minor policies as well. They outline ages, documents, and fees. If you are booking award travel for a child who will fly alone, read the rules before you start searching. Policies are linked here for quick reference: Delta unaccompanied minors and United unaccompanied minors.

Name Changes and Corrections

Airlines generally do not allow name changes on award tickets. The ticket must match the traveler’s government ID exactly. Minor fixes are sometimes allowed, but only for obvious typos. If the name is wrong, you will probably need to cancel and rebook, then hope the award seat is still there.

Permitted in many cases: small spelling fix, missing middle initial, or correcting a transposed letter.
Usually not permitted: swapping the traveler entirely, changing last names that alter identity, or transferring the ticket.
Best practice: collect a photo of the traveler’s ID before you enter passenger information. Match every field.

Cancellations and Refunds

Refund rules vary by airline and fare type. The good news is that the big U.S. programs have moved toward simpler flexibility for award travel. Change fees are often gone, and redeposit fees have been reduced or eliminated in many cases. Taxes you paid with a card are typically refunded to the original form of payment when you cancel within policy.

American Airlines: Award changes and cancellations are generally permitted without a redeposit fee. Taxes are refunded to the original card. Always confirm policy details on the official site.
Delta Air Lines: Most SkyMiles award tickets originating in North America can be changed or canceled without change or redeposit fees. Basic Economy awards are typically more restrictive. See Delta’s award rules here: Delta award travel rules.
United Airlines: United outlines flexible change and redeposit policies for award tickets. Close-in penalties were removed. Review current terms here: United travel award rules.
Southwest: No change fees. If you cancel a points booking, points usually return to your account and taxes go back to your card.
Alaska and JetBlue: Policies are generally flexible for awards. Details depend on fare brand and timing.

Key caution. If you are canceling close to departure or on a partner ticket, rules can tighten. Some partners require the operating carrier to release the seat back before your miles return. Build some buffer if you think plans might shift.

International vs. Domestic Bookings

International award tickets bring extra layers. Taxes and surcharges tend to be higher. Documentation matters more. And partners can change the rules of the game. None of this is a reason to avoid booking for someone else. It just means you plan a bit more.

Costs: Expect higher taxes and surcharges on long-haul. Some programs, like United MileagePlus, typically avoid carrier-imposed surcharges on partners, which helps keep the cash low.
Paperwork: Make sure the traveler has a valid passport, visas if needed, and any transit permissions. Airlines can deny boarding if documents are wrong.
Infants: Lap infant charges on international awards often price off the adult cash fare. This surprises people in premium cabins.
Baggage rules: Allowances and fees follow the operating carrier. Award tickets do not change that.
Schedule changes: International itineraries have more segments. If one leg shifts, the whole award might need to be reissued.

If you are comparing programs for the same route, check both the mileage cost and the cash co-pay. A slightly higher mileage rate that avoids carrier-imposed surcharges can be the smarter choice for your traveler.

Alternatives to Booking: Transferring, Gifting, and Selling Miles

If you do not want to book the ticket yourself, you still have options. You can transfer miles into someone else’s account, gift miles to top them up, or even sell miles to a reputable mileage broker for cash. Each path comes with trade-offs on cost, control, and speed. Here is how they work and when to pick each one.

Transferring Miles to Another Account

Transferring means you move your airline points from your account to someone else’s account in the same loyalty program. Airlines usually charge a cash fee to transfer miles. It is typically around 1 to 2 cents per mile, plus a processing fee. Most programs set minimum transfer amounts and annual or per-transaction caps. Transfers are permanent. Once you send miles, you cannot pull them back.

Same program only: You can transfer American miles only to another AAdvantage member, United miles only to a MileagePlus member, and so on.
Cash fees apply: Expect roughly $0.01 to $0.02 per mile, plus taxes or processing. Fees vary by airline and by promo.
Limits exist: Programs set minimums, maximums, and sometimes annual caps for both sender and receiver.
Usually quick: Miles often post instantly. Sometimes it can take up to a day or two.
No elite credit: Transferred miles typically do not count toward elite status or lifetime mile balances.

How to transfer, step by step. This looks similar across major carriers and is handled through the program’s buy, gift, and transfer portal.

Log in to your frequent flyer account and find the Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles section. Example portals: United MileagePlus Buy, Gift, Transfer and British Airways Buy, Gift, and Transfer Avios.
Enter the recipient’s name and account number exactly as it appears on their profile.
Choose how many miles to send. Watch the calculator update fees in real time.
Review the total cost and terms. Confirm the transfer and pay with a credit card.
Wait for the posting email. Have the recipient refresh their account, then proceed to book using their own login.

Gifting Miles

Gifting miles is different from transferring. You are not moving existing miles out of your balance. You are purchasing new miles and depositing them directly into someone else’s account. Think of it as buying store credit in their name. It is handy when the other person needs a small top-up and you would rather keep your own balance intact.

Cost per mile: You pay a per-mile price set by the airline, plus taxes and a processing fee.
Minimums apply: There is usually a minimum purchase and increments, like 1,000 miles at a time.
Nonrefundable: Most mileage purchases, including gifts, are final.
Promos help: Airlines sometimes discount or bonus gifted miles. That can offset costs if you catch a promo.
Control: The recipient controls the booking and can use the miles on any qualifying redemption options they want.

When to Book vs. Transfer vs. Gift

You have three levers. Book the award in your account, transfer miles to the traveler, or gift miles into their account. Use this quick framework to choose the most sensible path without wasting cash fees or miles.

Your situation	Best option	Why it works	Quick tips
You have enough miles for the full ticket and want a smooth process	Book the award yourself	Avoids transfer fees and you control schedule, seats, and payment of taxes	Enter the traveler’s name at checkout; add your email for confirmations
Recipient is short a modest amount and wants to manage their own trip	Transfer miles	Gives them full control to search, change, or cancel as rules allow	Run the math; transfer fees around 1 to 2 cents per mile can add up
You prefer to keep your own balance untouched but help them top up	Gift miles	Deposits new miles into their account without moving your stash	Check for promos; gifting can be pricey without a discount
Multiple travelers need tickets and your account is tight on miles	Mix and match	Book one award from your account and transfer or gift the rest	Price out cash tickets too; sometimes a paid fare beats high-fee redemptions

If transfer or gift fees approach the cash price of the ticket, consider paying cash instead.
If you need schedule control for a parent or child, booking the award yourself is usually cleaner.
If the traveler is an expert who values flexibility, a transfer keeps decisions in their hands.

Selling Your Miles for Cash

Sometimes travel rewards are less useful than money in your pocket. That is where selling miles comes in. Some travelers decide to convert unused balances to cash instead of chasing a tough award seat. The Points King specializes in buying airline miles and credit card points. They offer competitive rates and fast transactions for people who prefer cash over redemptions. It is a practical route when you have miles you will not use soon, or when cash would help more than a trip.

Consider selling if your miles are aging, award availability is poor on your routes, or carrier surcharges make redemptions pricey.
Know your program’s rules. Airlines typically restrict the sale or barter of miles. Understand any risks before you proceed.
Work only with a reputable mileage broker. Compare quotes and timelines, and ask questions about security and payment.

Making the Right Choice for Your Situation

Booking for elderly parents who do not manage miles well: book the award out of your account. You handle the search, seat selection, and the taxes. Add your email for alerts and use your phone number for contact. It keeps things simple and avoids any transfer fees.

Transferring to a spouse planning a big trip: if your spouse wants to control dates and flight choices, a transfer can be worth the fee. Price it first. If you would pay around 1 to 2 cents per mile to move 20,000 miles, you are looking at meaningful cash. If you can just book the award yourself at the same saver level, that might be cheaper.

Gifting to a friend who is close to an award: gifting a small top-up is clean and fast. You keep your balance intact. They get enough airline points to cross the line and can book on their schedule. If a promo is running, even better.

Selling when you need cash more than travel: life happens. If holding miles does not fit your plans, converting a chunk to cash can be the smartest move. You will skip the stress of hunting award space and put value to work immediately. Run the numbers against what those miles could realistically book in your home market. If cash wins, proceed with a trusted buyer.

One more sanity check I use after a decade of booking awards for family and friends. Ask yourself: what is the cost per redeemed mile if I book today, and how does that compare to the per-mile cost to transfer or gift? If the transfer or gift cost is close to the value I would get from redeeming, I either book directly or pay cash. Simple rule, saves money.

The TLDR on Using Miles for Other People’s Airline Tickets:

If you are asking can i use airline miles to buy a ticket for someone else, the answer is yes with most programs. Booking for a spouse, a friend, or a colleague is usually straightforward. You log into your account, choose award travel, and enter their details instead of yours. You do not need to fly with them. You just need the basic passenger information and a payment method for taxes and fees.

The playbook is similar across airlines, though the fine print varies. Some carriers charge close-in fees or have stricter change rules; others are more flexible. International routes often come with higher taxes and carrier surcharges. Award seats are limited, so searching early and being a little flexible with dates will probably save you time and miles.

You have multiple redemption options: book the ticket directly from your mileage account, transfer miles to the other person if the program allows it, gift miles to top up their balance, or even sell miles if cash is more useful than travel right now. Each path has trade-offs. Booking yourself is usually the cleanest use of frequent flyer miles. Transfers and gifting can work for topping up but may include fees. Selling makes sense when travel is not in the cards and you want value from your travel rewards without flying.

A few final checks go a long way: compare the cash fare to the miles required to gauge value, review total taxes and surcharges before you confirm, make sure the traveler’s name matches their government ID, and add their email and phone so they get alerts. That simple routine keeps your booking smooth and protects your miles.

Use your miles where they do the most good. Sometimes that is a surprise trip for a parent. Sometimes it is transferring a small chunk so a friend can finish an itinerary. And sometimes it is choosing a different path altogether. You have the tools and the know-how now. Pick the option that maximizes the value of your frequent flyer miles and fits your situation today.