Maaser question

[SamKey]

any discussion of halacha and Torah is a mitzvah.
The soul is rewarded for full filing mitzvahs.

I hope this was clear enough?

agreed

[Sandy]

I'm a "she". I thought people on this forum might know because miles is a common currency on this site.  I definitely will ask our Rabbi, but I thought this was a good place to start in order to get feedback. Don't know if my Rabbi is as fluent in airmile values as the experts on here. Thanks for all the info so far.

[SamKey]

I'm a "she". I thought people on this forum might know because miles is a common currency on this site.  I definitely will ask our Rabbi, but I thought this was a good place to start in order to get feedback. Don't know if my Rabbi is as fluent in airmile values as the experts on here. Thanks for all the info so far.

In that case my "opinion" is that you deduct how much money you actually saved them i.e. how much they would have spent had you not donated their flights
#my$.02

[elikay]

From my LOR:
1. Maaser kesofim is a minhag.
2. Even if you took on the minhag of maaser kesofim it doesn't apply to non-cash gains.  And it definitely doesn't apply when converting those gains to cash is against the terms of the program and get you in trouble with the program.
3. If you do sell miles for cash you would have to give maaser on the proceeds.

I humbly disagree with the end of #2

[george]

I humbly disagree with the end of #2

But you agree with the beginning of #2? The end of #2 is a kal v'chomer based on the premise of the beginning of #2.

[Chaikel]

Anyone HUCA with BHI for a better psak?

[raphy781]

Anyone HUCA with BHI for a better psak?

ROFL

[aj26]

Anyone HUCA with BHI for a better psak?

Alol

 if you can use points for Masser, shouldn't you have to give maaser on all points earned

[meshugener]

From my LOR:
1. Maaser kesofim is a minhag.
2. Even if you took on the minhag of maaser kesofim it doesn't apply to non-cash gains.  And it definitely doesn't apply when converting those gains to cash is against the terms of the program and get you in trouble with the program.
3. If you do sell miles for cash you would have to give maaser on the proceeds.

Doesn't #2 contradict #3?

[SamKey]

Doesn't #2 contradict #3?

no two is saying why there is no cash value to points and three is saying if you do get cash for it you have to give maaser

[aj26]

Was thinking the same thing

[meshugener]

@SamKey read again

[Joe4007]

@SamKey read again

#2 is meant for not Maasering points (as in Maasering the actual points or value) if you're not cashing it out and the reason given is that if you were to do it you would be violating the program rules, hence the non-cash value/no Maaser.

#3 is saying that if you are actually cashing it out then you'd need to Maaser the proceeds since you actually made MONEY.

[ckmk47]

Non-maaser.  I bought a ticket with points for a chabad house friend.  I asked him for a tax donation receipt for the full market value if the ticket was bought in cash that day.  So I tend to agree with

In that case my "opinion" is that you deduct how much money you actually saved them i.e. how much they would have spent had you not donated their flights
#my$.02

On the other hand, I never thought about having to pay maaser on the value of points earned.  So this is certainly food for thought.  Even not giving maaser on those I earned, how about giving tzedoko lekovod enjoying redemptions.?

[Shmulie]

To me points are like cash back where you already gave maaser on your money and it's like a percentage off every purchase. Therefore there is no need to give maaser on points since I treat the points as if they were never actually gained income.

[ckmk47]

To me points are like cash back where you already gave maaser on your money and it's like a percentage off every purchase. Therefore there is no need to give maaser on points since I treat the points as if they were never actually gained income.

I like that.  But what about signup bonuses?  Just a bigger percent off?

[Shmulie]

I like that.  But what about signup bonuses?  Just a bigger percent off?

True I didn't think of that, if the sign up bonus is with a AF then I guess so.

[Dan]

The 2nd half of #2 isn't the reason. The reason is that maaser is only on cash.
The 2nd half is even for the minority opinion for giving maaser on cash equivalents as you don't own miles-they always belong to the airline and they say it can't be converted to cash.

However 3 is just saying that cash is cash is cash.

[yitzf]

To me points are like cash back where you already gave maaser on your money and it's like a percentage off every purchase. Therefore there is no need to give maaser on points since I treat the points as if they were never actually gained income.

And who said you don't have to give maaser on cash back. I was under the impression that you don't have to give maaser on cash back if its just a statement credit because it's shava kesef, but if it's a check I think you would have to give maaser.

[satturn]

dan- dont you have smicha? I remember reading that in your bio,

maybe this forum can be the place to go for a LOR