How to Use Airline Miles on Things You Need for Your Family Read full article An image of gift cards on a colorful background. Getty Images (1). Art: Jillian Sellers. If there's one thing globetrotters with oodles of airline miles in their rewards accounts would like you to know, it is this: using miles to purchase anything other than rewards travel is rarely the most cost-effective option—yes, even if you and the kids have been skipping air travel for (we can't believe it either) a whole year already. In fact, airline reward programs are often structured to discourage such purchases, typically providing less than a cent per airline mile when consumers opt for gift card redemptions or merchandise. Plus, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a few cash-strapped airlines have ceased retailer gift card and merchandise programs altogether. (American and Delta, to name a few.) Though Delta still allows program participants to purchase Delta gift cards, which can be redeemed for flights or Delta vacations.