Points and Miles Scams to Avoid
Protect your accounts and your travel money.
Plan a Trip With a SpecialistPoints and Miles Scams to Avoid
Where there is value, there are scammers. Loyalty accounts hold real money's worth, and "free travel" is one of the oldest hooks in the book. These are the tricks to watch for, with advice from the Federal Trade Commission.
Phishing messages
Emails and texts that look like an airline or hotel program, warning that points will expire or an account is locked, and asking you to log in through a link.
Fake customer service
Bogus phone numbers and websites that pose as airlines or travel companies. The FTC alert on fake travel websites explains how to spot them.
"You won a free vacation"
Prize offers that ask you to pay fees, taxes or a deposit first. A real prize does not cost money.
Miles brokers
Sellers who offer cheap award tickets booked with someone else's miles. It breaks program rules and the ticket can be cancelled.
Account takeovers
Thieves who log in with reused passwords and drain points to book trips for others.
Timeshare-style pitches
Free trips that require sitting through a high-pressure sales presentation.
Protect Your Accounts
- Use a unique, strong password for each loyalty account and turn on two-step verification where offered.
- Sign in only through the official app or a web address you type yourself.
- Check balances and activity regularly; report unknown redemptions at once.
- Never share your account login, even with a friend booking for you.
- Pay for travel with a credit card, which gives stronger dispute rights than wire transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
The FTC guide to avoiding travel scams covers fake prizes, imposter sites and rental scams in more detail. If you think an account has been compromised, change the password, contact the program through its official channels right away, and ask it to reverse any bookings you did not make.
Book With People You Can Find
The safest trips are booked directly with the airline or hotel, or through a travel professional you can identify and call back. When you request a quote through the Official Travel Directory, a real travel specialist handles your trip — and no one will ask for your loyalty password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to sell my miles?
Most loyalty programs prohibit selling or bartering miles and points in their terms, and can close accounts or cancel tickets booked that way. Buying award tickets from brokers carries the same risk.
I got a message saying my points are about to expire. Is it real?
It may be a phishing attempt. Do not click the link. Sign in to the program through its official app or by typing its web address yourself, and check your balance there.
Where do I report a travel scam?
In the United States, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and contact your bank or card issuer if you paid.
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