Thieves Are Out To Sell Your Stolen Miles For Cheap
The dark web is flooded with stolen airline miles pilfered following data breaches or through phishing operations — and the thieves are willing to sell the miles for about half their value.
In a study published Wednesday, technology and research firm Comparitech examined black markets on the web in search of miles for sale. It found rewards points available on the dark web from more than one dozen different frequent flyer programs. Delta SkyMiles and British Airways Avios were the mileage currency most commonly listed.
Although prices frequently fluctuate and are not uniform across different black markets, one of the sellers Comparitech examined was selling 100,000 points from various frequent flyer programs for as little as $884. Based on TPG's latest valuations, those points are being sold at a huge discount. Some of the miles programs listed at this price included:
- Aeroplan (valued at $1,500 by TPG)
- ANA ($1,600)
- Emirates ($1,200)
- Etihad ($1,400)
- Flying Blue ($1,200)
- Hawaiian Airlines ($1,200)
- Virgin Atlantic ($1,500)
To be clear, stealing frequent flyer miles is a crime, one that could land a thief in prison for years. It's also unwise to purchase stolen miles. Comparitech says if you get caught, the airline could take away all your miles (even the ones you earned legitimately) and leave you with nothing for violating its terms of service.
Still, the threat of incarceration isn't deterring criminals from either taking over consumer accounts or emptying out those accounts and transferring miles into new ones. They first break in by obtaining login credentials taken during a data breach or by phishing individual account holders, Comparitech said.
A phishing scam might go like this: The consumer will get an email claiming to be from an airline asking the consumer to verify their account information — because there was a problem with the account, in order to claim a prize, cancel a reservation or any number of other excuses to get you to comply. When the consumer sends the information, the thief gets access to their account.
People who buy the stolen miles likely don't use them to purchase airfare or book hotel rooms, Comparitech noted, because those transactions typically require proof of ID. Instead, stolen miles may be easily converted into gift cards or products available through partner retailers. Some resell the rewards to so-called "grey market mileage brokers" that abound on the web. Those brokers then may turn around and use the points to get flight upgrades for their clients.
How to Protect Yourself
If you discover you're missing miles, report it immediately to the airline. As TPG himself pointed out several years ago, although the airlines aren't liable for miles stolen from your account, the sooner you report the theft, the better the odds are they can catch the thief and get you your miles back.
Comparitech also cautions travelers to do the following to protect themselves against an account breach:
- Shred boarding passes after a flight.
- Don't post pictures of boarding passes online.
- Don't put frequent flyer account numbers on baggage tags.
- Avoid airport Wi-Fi when accessing your account.
You'll also want to regularly check your account and frequently change your strong account password. Because of the volume of data breaches, you'll also want to make sure your airline account password is unique from other passwords. If not, you're making yourself vulnerable to attack.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees