Topic: is it illegal to trade bitcoin for frequent flyer miles (Read 816 times)
I can't remember the details, and it depends of the airline, but I know it's perfectly possible to transfer your miles legally. Airlines are from equal on that matter.
why should this matter? One would result in the miles essentially being sold for cash and the other would result in a barter transaction. What is wrong with either result?
I wish it was that simple but there are stacks of overlapping, contradictory, and ambiguous regulations that could be used to prosecute you if you upset the wrong people.
I was just following a ridiculous court case where someone collecting money for charity was convicted under a local panhandling ordinance.
He has lost his case and now has large fines and jail time exceeding the maximum penalty by their own statutes and they wouldn't even allow him to provide the letter from the non-profit submitted as evidence in the trial.
These incidents happen all the time and you likely are committing multiple felonies every day without even knowing it by the way some of these laws are worded and enforced.
It is confusing by design. If they don't like your politics or worldview they can always find some violation of law or administrative code to nail you. My father in law is an attorney and always says never agree to a police officer searching your car or property without a warrant because they will always find something if they really want to. Some of the stories he has are chilling.
I don't know evough facts about that case to make an informed, unbiased conclusion if he broke the law or not, however just because you are collecting money for chairity does not mean you are exempt from panhandling where doing so is illegal.
Collecting money for charity isn't panhandling , but I'm glad you are starting to get the idea how ambiguity and opinion play into the legality of the situation.
Facts don't matter by themselves much but can help or hurt your case. This is because the court system routinely chooses to ignore or block certain facts from being permitted like in the example I gave. They refused his rights to provide evidence showing he was collecting for the charity and refused his ability to use any arguments towards the constitutionality of the "crime" of collecting for a charity.
There was no accidents made by this court either... I can almost guaranteed you will be arrested for collecting for charities which don't fit their political agenda, while other charity workers like the salvation army are free to ask for donations.
why should this matter? One would result in the miles essentially being sold for cash and the other would result in a barter transaction. What is wrong with either result?
I wish it was that simple but there are stacks of overlapping, contradictory, and ambiguous regulations that could be used to prosecute you if you upset the wrong people.
I was just following a ridiculous court case where someone collecting money for charity was convicted under a local panhandling ordinance.
He has lost his case and now has large fines and jail time exceeding the maximum penalty by their own statutes and they wouldn't even allow him to provide the letter from the non-profit submitted as evidence in the trial.
These incidents happen all the time and you likely are committing multiple felonies every day without even knowing it by the way some of these laws are worded and enforced.
I don't know evough facts about that case to make an informed, unbiased conclusion if he broke the law or not, however just because you are collecting money for chairity does not mean you are exempt from panhandling where doing so is illegal.
why should this matter? One would result in the miles essentially being sold for cash and the other would result in a barter transaction. What is wrong with either result?
I wish it was that simple but there are stacks of overlapping, contradictory, and ambiguous regulations that could be used to prosecute you if you upset the wrong people.
I was just following a ridiculous court case where someone collecting money for charity was convicted under a local panhandling ordinance.
He has lost his case and now has large fines and jail time exceeding the maximum penalty by their own statutes and they wouldn't even allow him to provide the letter from the non-profit submitted as evidence in the trial.
These incidents happen all the time and you likely are committing multiple felonies every day without even knowing it by the way some of these laws are worded and enforced.
why/why not?
-snip-
There is no yes or no answer to find here especially since certain sectors of US law classify Bitcoin as a currency and others as an asset.
why/why not?
Financial regulations are purposefully ambiguous by design as admitted in many Bitcoin hearings. This allow flexibility for judges , prosecutors, and regulators to use their judgment or biases into what they constitute is legal or illegal.
There is no yes or no answer to find here especially since certain sectors of US law classify Bitcoin as a currency and others as an asset.
Illegal - no, unless bartering is illegal in your jurisdiction (I can't imagine it being illegal anywhere).
As Danny mentioned above, there is a chance that selling your miles is against the TOS of the program and could result in some kind of civil action against you (although the much more likely scenario is that your account would be closed along with the person who purchased them) and there would be zero chance of criminal charges.
As Danny mentioned above, there is a chance that selling your miles is against the TOS of the program and could result in some kind of civil action against you (although the much more likely scenario is that your account would be closed along with the person who purchased them) and there would be zero chance of criminal charges.
Would somebody sell frequent flyer miles by selling the account they are tied to so the other person could use them or can you transfer them from person to person?
Why would that be illegal? How is it different from trading BTC for anything else??
Because it's illegal to sell frequent flyer miles for any kind of currency. So, you're right, it's not different if you use BTC or if you use dollars.
just checked that, yes its illegal
Why would that be illegal? How is it different from trading BTC for anything else??
Because it's illegal to sell frequent flyer miles for any kind of currency. So, you're right, it's not different if you use BTC or if you use dollars.
Only if you get caught.
This applies to every crime.
Why would that be illegal? How is it different from trading BTC for anything else??
i think its more illegal to buy and use these starbucks, dunkin donuts, streaming accounts that are being sold in the marketplace than miles 
Only if you get caught.
It's usually against the terms of service that you agree to when you join the frequent flier program:
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/07/18/selling-frequent-flyer-miles-can-earn-you-cash-but-its-risky/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/07/18/selling-frequent-flyer-miles-can-earn-you-cash-but-its-risky/
Quote
If you check the fine print of many reward programs, selling miles or points is not allowed. And if you’re caught, you could lose all your miles or points, have your account canceled and be banned from the program.
You’re not going to end up in a jail cell but the airlines are pretty clear and they play hard ball with people who sell their miles and points
You’re not going to end up in a jail cell but the airlines are pretty clear and they play hard ball with people who sell their miles and points
why/why not?
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