Any experience redeeming mileage plus points for merchandise?

[CasaBlanca]

We''d love your help if you have any thoughts to share...

We have a large amount of points, we don''t travel at the moment, and are confused on what we should do with the points. It is Visa United. (who knows how long they will last, businesses change often now).

The merchandise is ABSURDLY overpriced...even though the prices aren''t listed-perhaps over rated is more appropriate to use here. If you earn a point per dollar spent it is somewhat conveyed to be a value there some where.

There are Movado watches that should cost about $400 - $500 taking about 63,000 to 100,000 points. Ebel Beluga With diamond markers for 265,000. There are some Judith Jack jewelry items, Scott Kay sterling, Damiani necklaces and earrings, but nothing I recognize a price point of.

Of course computers, flat screens, kitchen appliances, mattresses, and I notice an oven mitt just in case you are shopping for one!

In the fine print it reads the have the option to substitute merchandise to be similar or like not the exact model...and I understand no returns are allowed based on your receiving the substitution. So does this mean I choose door number 1 and get door number 3? If I order an Apple computer, I am agreeing for them to send me a PC?

The plan of sipping Pina Colada''s under a palm tree with ocean breeze would have made spending these points far easier! I get the feeling when the surprise box arrives, it isn''t going to be as "breezy".

Any thoughts? Warnings or suggestions?

 

[rierie26]

Does it have to be merchandise or can you redeem the miles for a plane ticket? I have a United Visa and have redeemed points for a round-trip ticket. It''s about 25,000 - 50,000 points depending on where/when you are going. It was pretty easy and you can choose the time you want to fly - you''re not stuck with a sucky departure time just because you''re using points.

 

[CasaBlanca]

Thanks Kitcha...have you looked at the merchandise offered in your account?

Yeah, our points can also be used for travel, but we aren''t traveling currently. We have enough for exclusive club entrance and first class perks it really has manifested into a travelers dream! For reasons I didn''t state, we are going to remain home bound for awhile. Which wasn''t the case when we opened our mileage account.

Yes, you can use them for air line tickets, hotel stays, car rental, some restaurants, etc. But since we aren''t really "living" that life we thought it best to cash in before they decide to attach limitations or expiration dates on our redemption points.

I should have asked in my OP how does one justify the point spending...when the value of the item seems exorbitantly high? For some reason I keep thinking I saved a point per dollar spent, so I default the point value to DOLLAR. I know that is wrong...as I didn''t get back a dollar per dollar spent. They would go broke very fast offering that exchange rate. I think that is where the grey line of value is. In travel prices they have a ton of space to alter ticket prices, hotel packages, etc. Most mileage plus redeemption-ers just take the points and are thrilled they get a free ticket to travel-they don''t actually hoard the value, like it appears we have!


These are the Q''s I should have asked in my OP:

So how does one justify the exchange for merchandise that can be purchased much less expensively?

And has any one ordered a specific item, and got a substitution that you weren''t pleased with?