Easy ways to prevent expiration of Avianca/TACA lifemiles
Apr 5, 2012, 1:19 am
#1
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ANC, SAP
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Priority Pass
Posts: 1,863
Easy ways to prevent expiration of Avianca/TACA lifemiles
Hi all-
I thought I would post a couple of tips to keep orphan lifemiles accounts from expiration.
This is certainly not a primary program of mine...but given frequent travel to and within Central America (occasionally on TACA's regional partners), it is one I've accumulated a reasonable amount of miles on.
As an aside, I've recently discovered that those miles can be redeemed at a pretty good value for travel within Central America (where there are few options that are frequently VERY costly), especially with the new one way awards AND miles and cash options. Hope these options stay around long enough for me to benefit from them.
In any case, 2 reasonable options to keep accounts active:
Shopping Portal - I cannot speak to how competitive this portal is, but a small purchase at a participating merchant will keep an account active for 2 additional years...a very cost effective investment to prevent expiration. Just allow 2-3 months lead time prior to expiration for miles to post.
Miles Donation - it appears that a donation of any amount of miles would extend expiration by 2 years...a free means of keeping your account active.
Hope this helps someone.
I thought I would post a couple of tips to keep orphan lifemiles accounts from expiration.
This is certainly not a primary program of mine...but given frequent travel to and within Central America (occasionally on TACA's regional partners), it is one I've accumulated a reasonable amount of miles on.
As an aside, I've recently discovered that those miles can be redeemed at a pretty good value for travel within Central America (where there are few options that are frequently VERY costly), especially with the new one way awards AND miles and cash options. Hope these options stay around long enough for me to benefit from them.
In any case, 2 reasonable options to keep accounts active:
Shopping Portal - I cannot speak to how competitive this portal is, but a small purchase at a participating merchant will keep an account active for 2 additional years...a very cost effective investment to prevent expiration. Just allow 2-3 months lead time prior to expiration for miles to post.
Miles Donation - it appears that a donation of any amount of miles would extend expiration by 2 years...a free means of keeping your account active.
Hope this helps someone.
Apr 28, 2012, 10:38 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Chicago
Programs: Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 287
Thanks for this post. I just realized that my 2500 LifeMiles were going to expire in May. Wasn't sure if it was May 1 or May 31.
I decided to donate 100 miles (1 mile just didn't seem right). Got a response that it might take 72 hours to complete the donation - but that might mean that my miles would expire.
I emailed [email protected]. They responded, on Saturday afternoon, within 2 hours. They said my donation had already been processed. So I'm good for 2 more years.
While I was wondering about my extension, I talked to Customer Service. He said I could donate 1 mile to refresh my miles. But, again. I think 100 miles minimum.
I decided to donate 100 miles (1 mile just didn't seem right). Got a response that it might take 72 hours to complete the donation - but that might mean that my miles would expire.
I emailed [email protected]. They responded, on Saturday afternoon, within 2 hours. They said my donation had already been processed. So I'm good for 2 more years.
While I was wondering about my extension, I talked to Customer Service. He said I could donate 1 mile to refresh my miles. But, again. I think 100 miles minimum.