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ULPT Request: Using airlines rewards miles to get cash (lemmy.world)
submitted 7 months ago by to c/unethicallifeprotips@lemmy.world
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I travel for work, and have accrued about $12k worth of airlines points. I don't really want to use them for personal travel, as I travel too much as is.

Would it be possible to:

  1. Book a flight.

  2. Get a receipt for the booking.

  3. Cancel the flight within 24 hours for a full refund back to my card.

  4. Book the same flight using points.

  5. Use the receipt in my expenses to get reimbursed for cash.

Or is there something I'm missing? Do they have any contact with the airline to confirm the receipt is legit?

I almost don't even consider this unethical, as the company is paying the same as they would if I didn't use my points.

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[–] 2 points 7 months ago

This is your own personal card but your employer reimburses back travel funds for you once you've got a receipt?

I'd check for alternative redemption options on the card first. 'Cover my purchase' or similar. Maybe you could use it for online shopping until it eventually runs out.

You could also buy gift cards and sell them online, but that's a lot more work.

Using your own company as the conversion from points to cash is risky because that's also your main form of income.

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