It’s that time again. The time when an airline sends us notice that we are about to lose our airline miles because of inactivity, so they are offering us the opportunity to cash in soon-to-expire miles for magazine subscriptions. The list of magazines we get to choose from is staggering. Where to begin, where to begin…
I was going to start with Cigar Aficionado, but my husband pointed out that, unless I’m planning on taking up cigar smoking, I might not find anything interesting in that monthly. On the contrary, I say. I would love to see what cigar smokers find so fascinating that it takes up an entire magazine, month after month.
Another intriguing offer is called Fast Company. Hmmmm…I’m wondering how fast this company is and if someone my age could possibly keep up. People en Espanol might help me practice my Spanish, but since I don’t care to read about those people in English, why would I want to struggle to read about them in Spanish?
Ah, here’s one made just for me: Western Horseman. Yes, maybe I do live in Virginia and even the thought of riding a bike again scares me, but I can romanticize, can’t I? Conde Nast Traveler is another of the choices, but if I was a real traveler, why would I have unused airline miles that are about to expire?
Sigh. Why don’t they ever have something like Better Homes and Gardens or Cooking Light? I’d even welcome a yoga magazine. I know I could decline, but I hate to waste those miles. That’s why I have Money, Entrepreneur, and Wine Spectator on my coffee table. Hey, they look good when we have company.
Coming East 
LOL…and talk about skewing them toward male readers!
Ya’ think, Sally?
hahaha Those magazines sound like real page turners. I don’t know HOW you can turn your nose up at them! AND I’m sure I SAW your nose elevated just ever so slightly showing your disapproval of “those” magazines. 🙂 So funny! 🙂
Yes, I guess my nose was elevated a little, History Gal. Shame on me!
Susan, how serendipitous that I would read your post today. — and it’s always a good day when you have a reason to say serendipitous. HAH!
Last I was aware, you can donate miles to charities. Just Google “Donate Airline miles”
Also, I don’t know it this is proper blog etiquette but I just read a blog post yesterday on how to maximize your airline miles. I hope it is ok to post it here? Maybe you could go see your daughter and grand daughters much more often ???
On the authors website it says “Fly First Class, Stay in 5 Star Hotels, and Travel in Luxury for Practically Nothing. “
The article I read is here. And his website is in the article. RockYourTravel.com
http://sebastianmarshall.com/why-and-how-i-started-travel-hacking-and-why-you-should-too-by-algis-tamosaitis
Enjoy.
Thanks, Kathleen. I’m going to check that blog out. The miles that I’m not using are for an airline we don’t use anymore because Delta’s the only one that has direct flights to Detroit. We have very few miles on it anyway. But I did not know about donating to charities! Next time I get magazine offers I don’t want, I will look into donating the miles. Good to know!
If Cigar Aficionado is like most other magazines, there are more ads than anything of substance. I like to fold a magazine back and hold with one hand, but the articles are on the folded page, and the ads are facing. I’m looking forward to digital editions of my favorites. We both chuckled at you taking up cigar smoking.
What? You have trouble picturing me with a cigar hanging out of my lips, Patti? Now all I need is bushy eyebrows and heavy glasses and I could look like Groucho.
Amazing the number of crazy magazines out there today.So why aren’t you using your miles? 🙂 Fly to Michigan and visi Sleeping bear dunes and Mackinac Island.
Believe me, HG, if I had enough miles to fly to Michigan, I’d be visiting my daughter and granddaughters in a flash. But we’re talking less than 3000 miles. Can’t even get airline peanuts for that.
I see. I’ve never used the airline miles so I’m not sure of what you get. But I guess I should have figured that out, since they are only offering you magazines. BTW, if they offer the magazine “Outdoors” you might want to try that. I got an unexpected gift of it once and thought it would be awful, but actually found the writing was terrific and super photography too.
Darn, HG! That actually was one of the offerings, but I didn’t choose it because I didn’t think it would be something I’d enjoy. Next time. I think I got Time instead.
Good luck making your decisions. I am wondering if you could give the subscriptions as gifts to someone. Given the titles, you might have to pick people you are not crazy about. There are some jerks in my life I would not mind sending a subscription I think they might really hate. I could smile and just say, “It’s a gift!” If I have to give my name. They can have the fun of trying to get the subscription stopped, etc.
Your comment cracked me up, Patti Ross. Believe me— I’ve looked for a way to give them as gifts, but there is not that option. Too bad. Would have made terrific Christmas presents for certain relatives…
I really do hate all these miles and points programs – they seem so innocent and appealing, then they turn into demanding little tyrants if you don’t use them often enough!
Plus, if you claim your magazines online, they try to trick you into giving them your credit card number and ordering even more magazines that you don’t want, Margie.
The Canadian Air Miles program recently announced that people who don’t travel often or far (and, therefore, rarely cash out their miles) can use their ‘points’ for ‘dollars off’ (at about 10 cents per mile) on purchases at select retailers – a much better ‘deal’ than having to buy magazines that most people aren’t interested in receiving (Real Simple, however, is a great magazine – I subscribe and love it!)
I like that idea better, too Margo, but at least I will get Real Simple this time.
I hear you and can relate. We get architectural digest with million dollar homes that make us jealous as well as handyman that gives so many ideas that the projects never seem to end around here.
With a house like you have, Rosie, I wouldn’t be jealous! Keep Tony away from those handyman magazines!
I didn’t know that you can cash in. I’m in Dallas visiting my daughter and grandkids, will see you when I’m back from my vacation (to China on Wed.).
So excited for you, Amy! Can’t wait to see your new pictures.
Now that’s something new, magazines for air miles. Are you sure you don’t want to take a spur of the moment trip instead?
It’s only 2,800 miles we’re talking about here, Lulu, which would get me about as far as the end of my driveway. LOL
Gosh, I’m glad our miles don’t expire! We rarely take plane trips, but when we do, thank goodness for those airline miles (that we rack up with our credit card purchases)! Good luck choosing a magazine – not much selection there, is it??
We used to fly all the time, Dianna, when we lived in San Antonio. It was the only way we could see our kids in Michigan and Boston. But now we always drive to Boston, and we take a different airlines to Michigan. I wish the magazine choices were better, though. Actually, I did find one I’m excited about this time, very unusual. It’s called Real Simple. Have you heard of it?
Real Simple is a good one.