How to Use Airline Miles to Book Flights for Friends and Family

Many people who accumulate airline miles wonder if they can use those miles to help loved ones travel. The good news is that most frequent flyer programs allow you to use your miles to book tickets for other people, even if they’re not part of the same household. Whether you’ve built up a balance through travel, credit card spending, or transfer promotions, using your miles to book flights for friends or family can be a generous and smart way to use your rewards.

But before you redeem your hard-earned miles on someone else’s behalf, it’s important to understand the rules, limitations, and best practices. Some programs make this easy and affordable, while others add extra fees or restrictions. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to use airline miles for others, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to make sure you get the best value for your redemption.

Can You Use Miles to Book a Ticket for Someone Else?

Yes, nearly all major frequent flyer programs allow members to use their miles to book flights for anyone—family, friends, coworkers, or even strangers. The ticket will be issued in the name of the traveler, but the miles come from your account. There’s no need for the person flying to have their own loyalty account or to be related to you.

Programs like Smiles, Latam Pass, TudoAzul, TAP Miles&Go, Flying Blue, and AAdvantage all support this feature. Booking a ticket for another person works the same way as booking for yourself, with one key difference: you enter their name and details when filling out the passenger information.

This flexibility makes airline miles not just a personal travel tool, but a way to help others reach important events, reunite with family, or go on a dream vacation.

How to Book a Ticket for Someone Else Using Your Miles

The process is simple, but you need to pay attention to accuracy—especially when entering the traveler’s name and passport number.

1. Log into your frequent flyer account.
2. Search for award availability on your desired route and date.
3. Select the flight, then enter the traveler’s full legal name (exactly as it appears on their ID or passport).
4. Complete the booking with your miles.
5. Pay any taxes or fees with your credit card.
6. Confirm the ticket has been issued correctly and forward the details to the traveler.

Some programs send the e-ticket directly to your email. Others allow you to enter the traveler’s email address so they receive updates directly.

Common Restrictions to Be Aware Of

While most programs allow redemptions for others, there are some exceptions and conditions:

• Some airlines may require you to book via phone when redeeming miles for another person.
• In certain cases, you may be asked to verify identity if booking for someone who lives in another country.
• Some low-cost carriers or regional programs may restrict redemptions to family members only, especially in Asia.
• A few programs limit the number of tickets you can issue for others within a specific time frame.

In Brazil, Smiles and TudoAzul allow bookings for anyone, but once a ticket is issued, changing the passenger name is not allowed. So be very careful when filling out the form.

In Europe, Flying Blue and Miles&Go also allow tickets for others, but cancellations or changes might be limited if the traveler is not the account holder.

In the U.S., AAdvantage and MileagePlus fully support booking tickets for friends and family, and even allow you to manage their bookings via your account.

Should You Transfer Miles to Another Person?

Most programs allow you to transfer miles from one account to another, but this is generally not recommended. Why? Because transferring miles directly usually involves:

• High transfer fees (e.g. $15 to $30 per 1,000 miles)
• Loss of promotional bonuses
• Delays or limits on how much you can transfer

Instead of transferring miles, it’s almost always better to keep the miles in your account and simply book the ticket in the other person’s name. It’s faster, cheaper, and you stay in control of the redemption.

How to Maximize Value When Booking for Others

If you’re using your miles to help a friend or family member travel, it’s still important to be strategic. Here are a few ways to ensure you’re not wasting your miles:

• Book during off-peak seasons to use fewer miles.
• Choose routes with low taxes and fees, especially when booking international tickets.
• Use partner airlines that have better award availability or charge fewer surcharges.
• Avoid last-minute redemptions, which can be expensive or have limited availability.
• Check both round-trip and one-way options, depending on mileage pricing.

For example, booking a ticket from São Paulo to Lisbon via TAP using Miles&Go during a promotional window might cost 45,000 miles + €60. The same route via another program could cost 70,000 miles + €200 in fees.

If you’re helping a friend travel from Madrid to New York, using Iberia Avios instead of British Airways can reduce taxes significantly. And if your family member is flying from Brazil to the U.S., programs like Smiles or Latam Pass often offer better value than MileagePlus or SkyMiles.

Can You Book with Miles + Money for Someone Else?

Yes, many programs allow you to combine miles with cash to complete a booking. This option is available when you don’t have enough miles for a full redemption.

In Brazil, Smiles and TudoAzul support “milhas + dinheiro” redemptions. In Europe, Flying Blue and TAP offer similar models. In the U.S., Delta, American Airlines, and United allow you to use a mix of miles and money during checkout.

This can be a good solution when helping someone book a trip without draining your entire mileage balance. Just make sure to compare the full cost (in miles and cash) to other travel options.

What Happens If the Traveler Cancels or Misses the Flight?

When you book a ticket using miles for someone else, you’re still the account holder—but the traveler is responsible for showing up, checking in, and meeting visa or documentation requirements. If the ticket is canceled, most programs will refund the miles to your account, minus a cancellation or change fee.

Some programs charge lower change fees for elite members, while others waive fees for same-day changes. Be sure to check the refund and change policies before confirming the booking—especially if the ticket involves international travel.

Booking for Others Is a Powerful Way to Use Miles

Helping a friend or family member travel using your miles can be deeply rewarding. It allows you to share the benefits of your loyalty and show generosity without spending cash. It also ensures that your miles don’t sit unused or expire.

That said, it’s important to plan ahead, verify traveler details carefully, and choose the right program and timing. Booking the wrong route or forgetting about high surcharges could reduce the impact of your gift.

If used wisely, booking for others can even be more satisfying than using miles for yourself—especially when it helps someone attend a special event, reunite with loved ones, or explore a new part of the world.

Final Thoughts: Your Miles Can Help More Than Just You

Airline miles aren’t just a personal asset—they can be a way to make someone else’s trip possible. By learning how to book flights for friends and family, you expand the impact of your loyalty program participation. The key is to understand the rules of your program, avoid unnecessary fees, and book with accuracy and care.

Whether you’re sending a family member across the ocean or surprising a friend with a ticket to visit you, your miles have real value—and that value multiplies when shared.