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New mileage search engine prepares for liftoff

August 10, 2007

Full disclosure: I think frequent flier programs are the crack cocaine of the travel industry. Having admitted that, how can you expect me to say anything nice about the launch of ZooMiles, a new search engine that allows you to earn free airline miles for searching the Web?

You’re right, I can’t. I won’t even try.

But here, anyway, for those of you who are curious (and admit it, you are) are the details:

ZooMiles can be earned for every search performed on the site, up to 1,000 per month, which can be applied to any of six airline partners — Delta, Northwest, Continental, Alaska, US Airways, or Midwest. The entire program is completely free. All you need to do is sign up and search.

Another “bonus”: Airline miles awarded by ZooMiles keeps your other miles from expiring, since they count towards mileage program activity. ZooMiles is in “invitation-only” preview mode right now, but you can request a beta account from the site.

I don’t think I will.

There are trillions of unredeemed — and often unredeemable — miles out there. Why add to the pile?

But if you play the mileage game, this might be a viable new option for you.

Geez, I feel like the guy at the clinic handing out free needles. Or the high school counselor giving the students condoms.

I can’t believe I’m posting this.

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

2 comments

  • Thom Robertson

    Well, being that I have a few thousand miles that are set to expire, I reckon I’ll give it a go. I mean, hey — I’ll do a few searches to keep my miles from expiring until I’m actually ready to redeem them.

    Your crack addict analogy… Yep, I definitely get it. But, man, it sure is fun. =)

    Thanks for the tip! Now I know where to come for my next fix…

  • Ronda

    I love how discusted you seem about writing about this subject. I agree with you, unfortunatly I had to stop my husband from being dumb with airmiles. Up here in Canada we have airmiles which i think is by AirCanada. But its now its own company, and he keeps trying to convince me its a good idea to buy 100 loaves of bread just to get a tonne of airmiles ( I said no and took away his card till the promotion was over)
    I completely understand your discust.

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