Miles for magazines?

[genchan]

I just received a letter in the mail from Northwest airlines offering to redeem my saved miles for different magazine subscriptions. I was wondering if this is a better deal than for airline tickets. Has anyone ever done this before?

[rjn]

I have done it a couple of times. The amount of required miles is minimal. Plus, it is good use of miles if you don't have enough miles for a free flight or you are concerned that the airline might go bankrupt.

[mjrube94]

I've done it a few times as well. We have significant miles accumulated on Delta, so I wouldn't do it for them, but I had only a few thousand on both Northwest and USAir and no prospects of flying them in the future, so I figured why not? They usually have a good selection of magazines, and you don't need to renew at the end. At least you're getting something for those miles...

[genchan]

So you think it's worthwhile if the points won't otherwise be used, but I should continue to save them if I think I will earn a ticket in the future?

[mjrube94]

Right. If you wouldn't be able to use them for a ticket, they're effectively worthless. Why not get something for them?

[rjn]

There are sites that you can trade miles for stuff or between programs. Try www.points.com.