As a miles enthusiast, I often look for the little gems to pad our families mileage accounts, because we need as many miles as possible to get our family of five to any given destination. So I am willing to go through all kinds of little games to acquire free or really cheap miles.
So when I received a new email from the US Airways Dividend Miles store front, I at least take a quick look at the earning opportunities.
Recently I was alerted that new customers to HostGator, a website hosting company, were offering 2,800 miles for new customers, plus a 30% discount off a hosting plan. Now here me out, even if you have no interest in running a website.
If you collect US Airways miles, this in an amazing offer to purchase some really cheap miles.
First, visit the US Airways Store Front.
Sign in to the website using your US Airways Dividend Miles account number and last name.
At the very top of the website, search for “HostGator.”
This is where it gets exciting. You will see the portal offers 2,800 miles for a new customer. Click through to go to the HostGator website.
Once you get to the HostGator website, in the middle of the page select “View Web Hosting Plans.”
On the left side, under the Hatchling Plan, pull down the window and select “Monthly-$7.16/mo.” Then say “Order Now.”
Under Enter Your Domain Name, select “I already own this domain” and enter any website you want. It does not really matter, as you are only doing this for the mileage. If you actually own a domain name, you are more than free to add one.
Make sure Hatchling and the $7.16/mo option is selected.
Create a User Name and password.
Enter your credit card information in for the purchase.
Make sure to uncheck the boxes for “Add SiteLock” and “Add CodeGuard.”
Enter coupon SAVE30 and hit “Validate.”
Check the Terms and Conditions box and hit the button for “Create Account.”
There you have it. You just purchased 2,800 US Airways Dividend Miles for only $6.27, or $0.0022/mile, which is an outstanding deal!
After purchasing your new hosting plan, you will need to set up a cancellation ticket, presumably after your Dividend miles have been credited.
To do so, “Cancellations must be done in writing via the cancellation form provided. Once we receive your cancellation and have confirmed all necessary information with you via e-mail, we will inform you in writing (typically email) that your account has been canceled. Your cancellation confirmation will contain a ticket/tracking number in the subject for your reference, and for verification purposes. You should immediately receive an automatic “Your request has been received…” email with a tracking number. An employee will confirm your request (and process your cancellation) shortly thereafter. If you do not hear back from us, or do not receive the automatic confirmation email within a few minutes after submitting your cancellation, please contact us immediately via phone. We require that cancellations of service are done through the online form to (a) confirm your identity, (b) confirm in writing you are prepared for all files/emails to be removed, and (c) document the request. This process reduces the likelihood of mistakes, fraudulent/malicious requests, and ensures you are aware that the files, emails, and account may be removed immediately after a cancellation request is processed.
The only issue I foresee with this deal is how long it takes for the miles to post versus cancelling the account. I am already a subscriber and use HostGator to services all of our families websites, so I have not been able to run through this exercise personally. However, I see no reason why it should not work so long as you follow the shopping portals process. There is a little bit of a process that needs to be gone through to purchase then cancel, but the miles are being purchased so cheap, it should be worth the risk.
Some of the shopping portals are notorious for taking several months to pay out the rewards, and cancelling right away, even though it does not state so in the terms, could be a “hidden” clause that the portal elects to not payout the miles. However, again, it is only a couple of dollars being risked, so the risk is minimal.
Let us know in the comments should you elect to try this.
Save Money, Travel More!
Source: InACents
