Can You Use Your Miles to Book a Flight for Someone Else?

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated July 2026
The short answer: Yes. Almost every airline and hotel program lets you redeem your points to book travel for someone else; the traveler does not need to hold the account. You just enter their name as the passenger. A few programs limit redemptions to a saved list of people, and selling miles is prohibited, but booking for family and friends is standard.

This guide explains how booking an award for someone else works, the occasional restrictions, and the one line you cannot cross.

You can book for anyone

With almost every airline and hotel program, an award booking does not have to be for you. When you redeem, you enter the traveler details as the passenger, and they fly on your miles without needing an account of their own. Gifting a flight or booking for a relative is a completely normal, allowed use of your balance.

The occasional restrictions

A small number of programs add friction. Some, particularly certain foreign airlines, require you to register the traveler on a saved family-and-friends list before redeeming for them, and a few limit how often you can change that list. These are the exception rather than the rule, so check your specific program if you plan to book for someone outside your household. Booking a group works the same way.

The one rule you cannot break

The line is selling. You can freely book award travel for family and friends, but you cannot sell miles or award tickets for cash, which violates program terms and can get your account shut down and the balance confiscated. As long as no money changes hands for the miles themselves, redeeming for other people is entirely allowed. See why you cannot sell points.

See exactly what an award costs

Stop guessing at point values. Look up the real award price and live availability for a specific trip before you transfer.

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The bottom line
  • Most programs let you book award travel for anyone.
  • The traveler does not need to hold the loyalty account.
  • You simply enter the passenger name when booking.
  • A few programs restrict redemptions to a saved friends-and-family list.
  • Booking for others is fine; selling miles is not.

Frequently asked questions

Can I book a flight for someone else with my miles?
Yes. Nearly every program lets you redeem for another traveler; they do not need an account. You just enter their name as the passenger.
Do they need their own frequent flyer account?
Usually no. Most programs let you book for anyone, though a few require you to add the traveler to a family-and-friends list first.
Is it against the rules to book for other people?
No, booking for family and friends is fine. What is prohibited is selling miles or award tickets for cash, which can get your account closed.

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Bryce Casson

Written by Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. About the author and how we rank cards.