COMPRA E VENDA DE MILHAS: Guia para começar

Guide to Buying and Selling Miles

Introduction to the Market

• The guide focuses on buying and selling miles, catering to both newcomers and those looking to professionalize their approach.

• The concept of arbitrage or spread is introduced, where one buys miles at a lower price and sells them at a higher price.

Understanding the Basics

• Participants will learn essential numbers, actions, and precautions necessary for entering the market successfully.

• The speaker shares personal experience in the field since 2020, having mentored over 300 sellers who now rely on this as their primary income source.

Rules of Mileage Programs

• Emphasis is placed on understanding the rules of different mileage programs as they vary significantly.

• Miles are described as a form of currency within airlines; for example, 100,000 miles can facilitate travel to the U.S. with proper planning.

Emission Limits in Programs

• Each program has limits on how many tickets can be issued from an account; using an example account (Rodrigo's), it’s explained that one can issue tickets for up to 24 people plus themselves.

• A comparison between ticket values shows strategic thinking: selling more valuable tickets (e.g., international flights vs. domestic).

Strategic Planning for Sales

• Current average sales per ticket are discussed; aiming for around 50,000 miles per transaction could yield significant earnings.

• By maximizing sales across multiple accounts (spouse, parents), sellers can increase their total mileage sold substantially.

Focus on National Programs

• The discussion highlights that most profitable opportunities lie within national programs rather than international ones due to higher demand and volume.

Comparison Between Airlines

• Differences between Latam and Gol's mileage programs are outlined; while Latam allows issuing tickets for 25 individuals including oneself, Gol has similar but slightly different rules regarding emissions.

Cost Analysis of Miles

• Insights into cost generation reveal that Latam's miles tend to be pricier compared to Gol's offerings which can be generated at lower costs through promotions or specific banking accounts.

Understanding Mileage Programs and Their Value

Pricing and Profit Margins

• The speaker discusses generating a product at R$ 15 and selling it for R$ 16.50, highlighting a profit margin of R$ 1.50, which is approximately 10% profit.

• A comparison is made with another product generated at R$ 24, sold near R$ 26, yielding nearly R$ 2 in profit; this emphasizes the importance of understanding where to transfer points for maximum value.

Choosing Between Airlines

• The speaker presents a scenario where purchasing a book grants either Gol or Latam miles as a gift, suggesting that Latam offers more value (R$ 1,000 more).

• It’s noted that while buying from both airlines yields similar gains, the renewal policies differ significantly between them.

Renewal Policies of Airlines

• Latam renews its mileage accounts every year on the same date; if you issue a ticket on March 1st, it renews on March 2nd the following year.

• In contrast, Gol renews its mileage accounts annually on January 1st regardless of how many tickets are sold in December.

Understanding Azul's Complexity

• Azul has unique rules regarding account status affecting how many CPFs can be registered (5 to 8), which differs from other airlines.

• While one can sell up to an average of 400 thousand miles through Azul due to these restrictions, it's less lucrative compared to other airlines like Latam or Gol.

Limitations and Opportunities with Azul

• Azul provides access to partner flights without CPF limits via their "Azul pelo mundo" site but has limited opportunities for profitable sales.

• Selling miles through Azul may not be advantageous due to market penalties when trying to offload excess miles at cost price.

Challenges in Selling Miles with Azul

• The speaker warns that once the five CPFs are exhausted in Azul's program, no further sales can occur until new passengers are registered.

• A significant drawback is that after registering new passengers in the second year, there’s a mandatory waiting period of 30 days before issuing tickets—this complicates immediate sales opportunities.

Understanding Mileage Programs and Strategies

Overview of Key Mileage Programs

• The speaker outlines three main mileage programs: Azul, Latam, and Smiles, emphasizing their distinct values and renewal periods.

• Specific details are provided about the value of each program: Latam 24 is more valuable than Smiles 25, which renews in January.

Generating Miles Effectively

• To generate miles, one can use credit card spending or planned purchases. Using a credit card that earns miles allows for point accumulation without additional costs.

• The speaker shares a personal example of generating points through regular purchases on platforms like Amazon and Mercado Livre via affiliate programs.

Utilizing Subscription Clubs

• Subscription clubs (e.g., Livelo, Esfera) offer opportunities to earn points at lower costs. Understanding the cost-benefit ratio is crucial when subscribing to these services.

• The importance of maximizing resources to generate more miles at low costs is emphasized; subscription clubs often provide bonuses for annual memberships.

Buying Points or Miles

• Purchasing points or miles from various programs can be beneficial if done strategically. Discounts on points can lead to profitable reselling opportunities.

• An example illustrates how buying Latam miles during promotions can yield significant savings compared to selling prices.

Strategic Planning for Profitability

• The speaker discusses the potential profitability of buying points or miles based on market conditions and promotional offers.

• It’s essential to consider transfer bonuses when purchasing points from different programs; this can significantly affect overall profitability.

Calculating Gains from Transactions

• A detailed calculation shows how understanding transfer bonuses impacts profit margins when selling purchased points or miles.

• The necessity of planning before making large purchases in mileage programs is highlighted; knowing potential resale values is critical for success.

Selling iPhones and Understanding Value

The Concept of Pricing in Reselling

• The speaker introduces a scenario where they want to sell an iPhone for R$9,000, questioning the perceived value against its market price of R$8,000.

• If the seller knows the iPhone is worth R$10,000 but sells it for R$9,000, it creates a profitable opportunity for the buyer who can resell at a higher price.

Investment Insights on Points and Miles

• The speaker emphasizes that understanding resale value is crucial when investing in points and miles; unlike traditional trading markets like Bitcoin, which are volatile and unpredictable.

• Bitcoin's fluctuating prices illustrate market instability; it dropped from R$642,000 to R$350,000 within months.

Risks in the Miles Market

• In 2023, a company was buying LATAM miles at inflated prices (R$27-R$30), leading many to believe they could profit significantly.

• This scheme turned out to be fraudulent, resulting in losses for many as the company planned a massive scam involving billions.

Generating and Selling Miles

• The speaker compares generating miles through credit card spending to purchasing an iPhone at an unrealistic discount—highlighting potential scams or misleading offers.

• They share personal experience of generating 200k miles annually through regular spending but note that this only yields around R$6,000—a modest return.

Strategies for Maximizing Mile Earnings

• Discusses strategic purchases via platforms like Livelo or Esfera to generate more miles while emphasizing planned spending rather than impulsive buys.

• Subscription clubs are likened to gym memberships where consistent monthly payments yield benefits over time.

Selling Strategies and Profit Margins

• To maximize profits from selling miles, one must understand how much they can earn per mile generated through various programs.

• The average profit margin per mile ranges between R$1-R$2; however, with strategic planning and volume sales can increase profitability significantly.

Conclusion on Earning Potential with Miles

• A professional approach could yield up to 30% annual returns using multiple accounts and strategies; however, caution is advised as margins decrease with larger investments.

• Using older accounts may provide lower returns (around 15%), indicating that experience plays a role in maximizing earnings.

Investment Strategies: CDB vs. Miles

Comparing Investment Returns

• The speaker questions the value of earning 15% on investments compared to placing money in a CDB, which offers a guaranteed return of 12% after one year.

• Many individuals lack the upfront capital to invest the full amount in a CDB; for example, investing monthly can yield higher returns (up to 30%) through platforms like Asmilha.

• The comparison between different investment strategies is deemed unfair due to varying conditions and requirements.

Selling Miles: Methods and Risks

Selling Through Websites

• There are two primary methods for selling miles: online platforms and physical mile exchange counters.

• When using websites, sellers must trust that their account will not be misused by the buyer, as there are no guarantees against misuse or fraud.

Payment Delays and Trust Issues

• Concerns arise about potential non-payment from buyers after selling miles; past experiences highlight risks where payments were never received.

• The speaker recounts an incident where a company ceased payments unexpectedly, illustrating the inherent risks involved in online transactions.

Understanding Risk in Mile Transactions

Trusting Online Platforms

• Sellers must assess whether they feel confident enough to sell their miles through certain websites despite known risks associated with such transactions.

• If a website issues tickets but fails to pay sellers promptly, it creates financial risk for those who sold their miles.

Alternatives and Market Dynamics

• Some sites may offer promotional early payment options; however, this poses significant risk for them if cancellations occur post-payment.

• The speaker emphasizes that many site owners face substantial debts due to fraudulent activities involving canceled flights after payment was made.

Exploring Alternative Selling Options

Physical Mile Exchange Counters

• An alternative method for selling miles involves using physical counters that connect agencies with mile sellers, providing potentially more secure transactions.

• These counters operate as business groups facilitating buying and selling of miles while addressing some market inefficiencies.

Clarifying Misconceptions About Mile Transfers

• A common misconception is that miles can be transferred directly between accounts; instead, they must be issued from the seller's account by trusted parties.

• Current practices require sellers to provide access so buyers can issue tickets directly from their accounts without transferring ownership of the miles.

Understanding the Benefits of a Paid Mileage Counter

The Process of Selling Miles

• A seller can purchase 100,000 Latam miles for R$25.50 and then offer them at R$25.80, leading to a transaction with an agency that pays immediately.

• Sellers receive instant payment without any deferred transactions, while buyers benefit from the security provided by the counter.

Security and Trust in Transactions

• A reputable mileage counter must provide guarantees to agencies, ensuring they will assist in resolving issues if they arise.

• Agencies typically undergo training before operating, which grants them access to counters for selling miles profitably.

Risk Management and Control

• Accessing a mileage counter allows sellers to avoid risks since they receive immediate payments backed by the counter's owner.

• To join a paid mileage counter, individuals must pay a fee (R$1,500 - R$2,000 annually), which helps filter out fraudulent participants.

Verification Processes

• Upon payment, personal information is collected for verification purposes; this includes checking against credit databases to ensure legitimacy.

• While selling through counters is secure for sellers due to immediate payments and control over transactions, it may not be entirely risk-free for agencies.

Comparing Sales Channels: Counters vs. Websites

• Selling through counters offers more control compared to websites where sellers have limited oversight on how their miles are used or sold.

• For those planning to sell large volumes of miles (over R$500k), using a paid counter is recommended as it provides better rates than websites.

Profitability Considerations

• The difference in selling prices between counters and websites can significantly impact profitability; counters often yield higher returns per mile sold.

• If someone aims to generate consistent income from buying and selling miles monthly, utilizing a paid counter is deemed the best option due to its structured approach.

Control Over Transactions

• Unlike website sales where sellers cannot dictate terms effectively, counters allow sellers to manage their sales according to specific needs (e.g., number of CPF).

• The ability to reject unfavorable offers at counters enhances control over sales strategies compared to unpredictable website transactions.

Conclusion: Strategic Selling Approaches

• Successful selling requires understanding market dynamics—knowing costs versus potential sale prices is crucial for maximizing profits in any business venture involving mileage sales.

Understanding the Market of Miles

The Decision to Engage in the Miles Market

• The speaker discusses a hypothetical scenario where one can earn 20 reais but decides against it due to costs associated with employees and taxes, emphasizing that understanding profit margins is crucial.

• The importance of decisiveness is highlighted; doubt can hinder progress. Many individuals repeatedly study the miles market without taking action, leading to stagnation over years.

• A proactive approach is encouraged: learn about generating and selling miles, then make an informed decision on whether to enter the market or not.

Resources Available for Learning and Selling

• The speaker offers assistance through various resources including a paid mile counter, training programs for agencies, and management courses related to miles.

• There’s a mention of a controlled marketplace (referred to as "bank da milha") where there are more buyers than sellers, which stabilizes prices. This balance is essential for maintaining market health.

Market Dynamics

• The dynamics of supply and demand are discussed; if there are too many sellers compared to buyers, prices will drop significantly. A well-balanced marketplace ensures fair pricing for all participants.