International Airline Gift Card?

flamebroiledchicken

So, my mom loves to travel and told me she wants "less things and more experiences" as gifts. So, I want to get her an airline gift card that:

*flies international (so no Jetblue) (and the Caribbean doesn't count)
*doesn't require me to be part of their club or membership program
*is not a miserable flying experience
*doesn't make me jump through insane hoops (Delta gift cards can only be bought AND redeemed at a ticket agent or airport, not online, what the fuck)

All I've found so far is American Airlines. I don't know how the flying experience is, but the gift card buying process seems painless.

Anyone have any experience with this? Can anyone recommend a good airline that flies international and also offers gift cards?

AngelHedgie

Avoid AA like the plague. The management and the pilots are in the middle of a very nasty labor dispute, and the pilots have resorted to one of their most effective tactics - anal-retentive maintenance checks. As a result, the airline's on time rates have plummeted.

CyberJackal

Personally, I wouldn't go with an airline specific gift card. Primarily because you never know what airline might have the best deals for a specific time/destination. But also because, like you say, many airlines don't even have a user-friendly process for purchasing them (if they have gift cards at all).

I would just go ahead and get one of those generic visa gift cards. You can then make it clear what the gift is intended for by having it accompanied by some small gift related to travel, such as a travel guide, a plug converter, a small amount of foreign currency, etc.

LaOs

You could also see if any travel agencies around your mother offer gift certificates, I guess. Then they can book with whatever airline or service meets your mother's needs (or she can book a vacation package, etc.).