Merchandise awards are usually a disastrous use of your miles. Why use 100,000 miles to book a flight worth thousands when you can spend it on a $400 iPad. Ugh. Seeing people use their miles in this way can literally make me feel sick. Miles/points should be used for flights and hotel stays. This is almost always a given.
“Almost always.” Recently, experience auctions have opened up interesting new options. Last month’s softball game on Wrigley Field was a perfect example. For some, there will never be a better use of 2,500 Starwood points than that. Others are enjoying US Open tennis this week in a suite courtesy of points. Or a tennis lesson from Andre Agassi! These can be priceless opportunities. Right now, sideline NFL access and a chance to throw out the first pitch at a Dodgers game stand out to me. United and Starwood are the kings of experience auctions, with Delta (as always) lagging behind.
