Rebate Credit Card: What Can I Do with Those Miles? (cont.)
Contributed by Caryn e Zent
If you love me, you'll give me your credit card rebates
As stated above, you can use your miles for family members. You can also sometimes transfer miles to another member's account, even someone who is not a family member. Check with your rebate credit card company for rules and restrictions -- there usually is a time limit or a grace period. If you will not use your miles or don't want to go to the trouble of trying, there is also the option of charitable donation; then at least someone can use them.
One drawback: no charitable deduction, because the miles have no cash value. Check out miledonor.com for further information. You can benefit a very worthy cause such as the American Heart Association or UNICEF.
Find a way
There are companies who work together to offer rewards to rebate credit card holders. There may be an airline who will allow you to convert air miles to hotel points and rental cars. You sometimes may lose a lot of miles by trading, so do some research. Check out Amtrak, who offers a very flexible guest rewards program called Amtrak Guest Rewards, that includes United Airlines, Ritz-Carloton, and Hertz.
You can also convert rewards to gift certificates at retailers such as Bloomingdale's and restaurants like Olive Garden. Sites like points.com can help you combine or trade points. They offer a free service but charge you a fee per trade, or you can sign up for a flat-fee version. Have fun, and do your homework!
