We all know that time races by so quickly, so people are starting to trade material possessions for experiences. The idea of giving a trip as a gift is a rather good one since travel is remembered as an amazing experience in life.
When gifting travel this holiday season, airline gift cards are a great idea. If you gift an actual airline ticket, make sure your gift is open- ended, or that they are able to change the reservations. If you are thinking about gifting an international travel experience, make sure the recipient either has a passport, or you can gift a passport. A new passport costs $110 and while you can’t actually get it for them, you can download the forms from www.travel.state.gov and give them the money for the passport. A passport is good for 10 years and it can take them (almost) anywhere in the world.
If you are trying to surprise your children with a trip this holiday season, you might consider leaving a few of the decisions to them. For instance, parents might decide on the destination, such as a theme park or the Grand Canyon, but let the kids decide on what excursions you schedule.
How to Give the Gift of Travel
When gifting travel, get creative! Wrap the gift card in travel themed wrapping paper and stick it in a quart-size airport approved bag along with a few travel-size plastic toiletry bottles filled with confetti.
A cute idea when gifting travel is to wrap up a travel guidebook to a destination and enclose your gift inside.
Here are a few airlines where you can give the gift of travel. Make sure you read the ne print and know what you are gifting. Although it’s always important to be mindful in your gift card giving, it’s especially important to think through buying travel gift cards.
Air Canada
Give the world with an Air Canada Gift Card by visiting their website. Customers can also gift Aeroplan points or redeem points to buy a ticket for someone else. www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/air-canada-gift-cards
Air France
Your Air France miles unlock a number of benefits which you can share with friends and family! You can give up to 75,000 miles to the person or persons of your choice. Simply provide Air France with their e-mail address and they will make sure your gift is sent! You can also give your miles to someone who is not yet a Flying Blue member. They will receive their miles as soon as they join.
Transfer miles: Do you travel frequently and earn a lot of miles? Does a friend or family member need a few extra miles? You can choose to transfer a portion of your miles to his or her account.
The process is easy: simply indicate the number of miles you want to transfer to his or her account (up to 50,000 miles). There is just one condition: the beneficiary must already have a Flying Blue account.
www.airfrance.us
Alaska Airlines
Are you looking for a last-minute present, the perfect holiday gift, celebrating a friend’s birthday or your favorite couple’s wedding? Sending congratulations on a new arrival or thank you for a job well done? Travel is an ideal gift no matter the occasion.
Gift certificates for travel on Alaska Airlines are available in increments from $25 up to $500 USD. Certificates can be customized specially for the recipient and the occasion, then delivered via email or printed and mailed. Best of all, gift certificates do not expire.
www.alaskaair.com
American Airlines
The whole wide world, it comes in a card, and it’s the perfect gift for anyone who loves to travel, including you. You can buy either a plastic card and have it mailed or a virtual card delivered via email. Both options allow you to send a personal message with your gift. You can use up to eight (8) Gift Cards at one time toward the purchase of a ticket to hundreds of exciting destinations throughout the world. And, with no expiration date or
fees, American Airlines gift cards are perfect for any occasion.
“Let Good Take Flight” with American Airlines by donating unused miles to Miles of Hope (supports organizations that supply basic needs to people facing adversity), Miles for All Who Serve (assists organization that work to support veterans, military members, and their families), and Miles for Kids in Need (gives children a better future by providing medical, educational and social services). You can also donate miles to help children achieve their wish through Make-A-Wish.
British Airways
You can use your Avios points (BA mileage currency) to purchase a ticket for someone else. Contact British Airways at 1-800-AIRWAYS or Avios www.avios.com.
Delta Airlines
Give the gift of go! Choose to send a Delta Gift Card or eGift Card and prepare for a big thank you. All gift cards are sent with a personalized message and instructions for redemption. They can be used toward airfare at delta.
com, at the airport, through Reservations or by phone with Delta Vacations®. Gift Cards may not be redeemed within seventy-two (72) hours after the time of purchase. You can buy miles as a gift for another Delta member.
www.delta.com
Southwest Airlines
Give the gift of travel on Southwest Airlines and y to 95+ destinations. Choose any amount from $10 to $1,000 and there are no fees and the gift does not expire. Fast delivery to the recipient by email or overnight delivery. The gift is easy to redeem online, by phone, or at the airport.
www.southwest.com
United Airlines
You can help your family and friends get to where they want to go by purchasing gift miles. On the Buy Miles web page, simply select “Give Miles” and log in to your MileagePlus account to get started. You can buy miles as a gift for another member. Miles cost US $35 per 1,000, with a minimum purchase of 2,000 miles.
www.united.com