Jun 24, 2015, 10:22 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
United announces "MileagePlus Miles Never Expire" (effective immediately) Aug 2019
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/25020401-post50.html
Mileage reinstatement from qualifying activities:
Missing mileage for partners must be requested through the United Airlines partner directly (visit www.united.com/retrocredit and select the "Non-airline partners" section). All requests need to be made within 12 months of the date of the qualifying activity. This could be flights or hotel stay or rental car credit that has not yet been posted. If the date was prior to expiration that should reinstate the expired miles.
Other mechanisms of mileage reinstatement:
United Airline's mileage expiration policy requires that accounts have qualifying activity at least once every 18 months to keep miles from expiring.
Here are some options to have miles reinstated (max look back is 18 months):
="1"%Check https://buymiles.mileageplus.com/united/index_en.html for details
Buy Back your miles – You can buy back your miles online. The cost varies depending on the amount of miles being reinstated.
Register and fly - Register for$200 $500 $100 and then complete qualifying roundtrip travel on United or United Express You must register within 18 months of your mileage expiration date, and complete travel within 90 days of registration. The registration fee is non-refundable.
Register and use a MileagePlus® Visa® - Register for$200 $500 $100 and then use a new or existing MileagePlus Visa card to make a purchase. You must register within 18 months of your mileage expiration date, and use your card within 90 days of registration. The registration fee is non-refundable. To apply for a MileagePlus Visa, visit the United Airlines Credit Card page.
To participate in either the “Register and fly” or “Register and use a MileagePlus® Visa®” mileage re-instatement promotions, please call the MileagePlus Service Center or [check [url]https://buymiles.mileageplus.com/united/index_en.html for details
8/9/16: There is a promotional offer where the Register and Fly/User a CC option is $100. Not sure how long it will last (still valid Nov 2018)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/25020401-post50.html
Mileage reinstatement from qualifying activities:
Missing mileage for partners must be requested through the United Airlines partner directly (visit www.united.com/retrocredit and select the "Non-airline partners" section). All requests need to be made within 12 months of the date of the qualifying activity. This could be flights or hotel stay or rental car credit that has not yet been posted. If the date was prior to expiration that should reinstate the expired miles.
Other mechanisms of mileage reinstatement:
United Airline's mileage expiration policy requires that accounts have qualifying activity at least once every 18 months to keep miles from expiring.
Here are some options to have miles reinstated (max look back is 18 months):
="1"%Check https://buymiles.mileageplus.com/united/index_en.html for details
Buy Back your miles – You can buy back your miles online. The cost varies depending on the amount of miles being reinstated.
Register and fly - Register for
Register and use a MileagePlus® Visa® - Register for
To participate in either the “Register and fly” or “Register and use a MileagePlus® Visa®” mileage re-instatement promotions, please call the MileagePlus Service Center or [check [url]https://buymiles.mileageplus.com/united/index_en.html for details
8/9/16: There is a promotional offer where the Register and Fly/User a CC option is $100. Not sure how long it will last (still valid Nov 2018)
Reinstatement of Expired MileagePlus Miles [Consolidated]
Nov 10, 2014, 5:56 am
#16
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
Miles expired - I know - I'm an idiot
Yes, I'm an idiot and there is nothing I can do to change that 
I let 150K+ expire a few months ago. I did not know it until I rec'd one of those subscription requests in the mail and I went to check and low and behold my balance was zero
I realized that I made a major error in not keeping up with my UA account, ironically about 8 months ago, I made transactions for my kids to keep their account alive but not mine, go figure
So for $400 I can get the miles back and for that amount of miles, its definitely worth it as I'll get way more value for that $400 than if I just let them die by not repurchasing, I understand the rules, I understand that I goofed and this is the price. I'm not complaining. For the record, i have no hotels or cars that I could use that have not posted.
My question is, I see I can wait up to 18 months to get these miles back. I realize the risk is that they up the price or heaven forbid change the program. Other than those two risks, is there any downside to waiting to buy the miles until I need them (but prior to the 18 months?)
Will my 18 month clock reset to the repurchase date?
thanks, yes I'm an idiot
I let 150K+ expire a few months ago. I did not know it until I rec'd one of those subscription requests in the mail and I went to check and low and behold my balance was zero
I realized that I made a major error in not keeping up with my UA account, ironically about 8 months ago, I made transactions for my kids to keep their account alive but not mine, go figure
So for $400 I can get the miles back and for that amount of miles, its definitely worth it as I'll get way more value for that $400 than if I just let them die by not repurchasing, I understand the rules, I understand that I goofed and this is the price. I'm not complaining. For the record, i have no hotels or cars that I could use that have not posted.
My question is, I see I can wait up to 18 months to get these miles back. I realize the risk is that they up the price or heaven forbid change the program. Other than those two risks, is there any downside to waiting to buy the miles until I need them (but prior to the 18 months?)
Will my 18 month clock reset to the repurchase date?
thanks, yes I'm an idiot
Dec 5, 2014, 12:35 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 22
Retrieving old miles
I had a round trip with UA 2 years ago (about 16k miles) and registered my mileage account right after I purchased the tickets, but the mileage was never added in my account. My lifetime mileage is still zero.
Any idea if this trip can still be added to my account? Thanks a lot.
Any idea if this trip can still be added to my account? Thanks a lot.
Dec 5, 2014, 12:54 am
#18
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,479
I had a round trip with UA 2 years ago (about 16k miles) and registered my mileage account right after I purchased the tickets, but the mileage was never added in my account. My lifetime mileage is still zero.
Any idea if this trip can still be added to my account? Thanks a lot.
Any idea if this trip can still be added to my account? Thanks a lot.
A member's miles "will expire if there is no current activity for 18 months consecutive." 2 years is past this threshold.
If you only fly every two years on UA - Perhaps switch to DL - where the miles do not expire.
To add: Do you have a Chase Card and have you flown UA with the past 18 months?
Last edited by kettle1; Dec 5, 2014 at 1:00 am Reason: add a question
Dec 5, 2014, 1:22 am
#19
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,742
While RDMs can expire, lifetime miles never expire.
Lifetime miles are only earned on UA operated flights, were your flights UA flights (and not UA codeshares)?
Missing flight credit can only be requested for flights within the past 12 months.
Expired (within the last 18 months) RDMs can be reinstated for a fee.
Lifetime miles are only earned on UA operated flights, were your flights UA flights (and not UA codeshares)?
Missing flight credit can only be requested for flights within the past 12 months.
Expired (within the last 18 months) RDMs can be reinstated for a fee.
Jan 25, 2015, 9:01 am
#22
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA 1k (12 year fallen GS) 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,254
If you will use them then pay and chalk it up as an expensive lesson - and IMO that's quite a bit less than they are worth...
Jan 25, 2015, 9:02 am
#23
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
$200 is a pretty reasonable price to pay for points worth thousands. But as noted above, they are only worth that much if you are going to use them.
It is remotely possible you could get a better deal by calling United and begging.
It is remotely possible you could get a better deal by calling United and begging.
Jan 25, 2015, 10:00 am
#26
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 99
I have a bunch of car rentals from national in the past 12 months but they were all set to give car rental credit. Spoke with national, they won't retroactively switch from car rental to airline credit. They did say that had I not picked any type of credit they would go back and assign airline credit.
UPDATE: So DW had an avis reservation in the past 12 months where no credit was awarded. We have the same last name, so I gave avis my united #. Hopefully it goes through.
UPDATE: So DW had an avis reservation in the past 12 months where no credit was awarded. We have the same last name, so I gave avis my united #. Hopefully it goes through.
Last edited by ymarker; Jan 25, 2015 at 11:16 am
Feb 25, 2015, 8:59 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Austin
Programs: Loyalty? Hah!
Posts: 37
United raises expired miles fee 300 percent today
A few days ago, I checked my MP account and learned that the 47K miles in my account had expired November 1-no warning, of course, but I guess that was up to me to keep track. Although, honestly, I didn't realize the miles ever expired, as my Continental ones never did. I checked and found out i could reinstate them for $100 (the fee is based on number of miles to be reinstated).
Today I decided to bite the bullet and pay for them, but found that as of today, the fee is now $300--a 300 percent increase! This is really outrageous, no heads-up that "certain fees might change, etc." Must admit, I am so furious about this, as I am a 70 year-old grandmother who doesn't travel that much, but was saving those miles for a trip to Europe.
Does anyone have any ideas for me to avoid having to pay $300 to get my miles back? Thank you for any advice in advance--you all seem to be really helpful in all kinds of situations.
Today I decided to bite the bullet and pay for them, but found that as of today, the fee is now $300--a 300 percent increase! This is really outrageous, no heads-up that "certain fees might change, etc." Must admit, I am so furious about this, as I am a 70 year-old grandmother who doesn't travel that much, but was saving those miles for a trip to Europe.
Does anyone have any ideas for me to avoid having to pay $300 to get my miles back? Thank you for any advice in advance--you all seem to be really helpful in all kinds of situations.
Feb 25, 2015, 9:13 pm
#28
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,742
see the wiki in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...5-forward.html
starts at $0.01 per mile and reduces to $0.005 per mile
was
Pricing effective April 1, 2012
1-25,000 : $50
25,001-50,000 : $100
50,001-75,000 : $150
75,001-100,000 : $200
100,001-150,000 : $300
>150,000 : $400
1-25,000 : $50
25,001-50,000 : $100
50,001-75,000 : $150
75,001-100,000 : $200
100,001-150,000 : $300
>150,000 : $400
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 25, 2015 at 9:27 pm Reason: old rates
Feb 25, 2015, 9:13 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
A few days ago, I checked my MP account and learned that the 47K miles in my account had expired November 1-no warning, of course, but I guess that was up to me to keep track. Although, honestly, I didn't realize the miles ever expired, as my Continental ones never did. I checked and found out i could reinstate them for $100 (the fee is based on number of miles to be reinstated).
Today I decided to bite the bullet and pay for them, but found that as of today, the fee is now $300--a 300 percent increase! This is really outrageous, no heads-up that "certain fees might change, etc." Must admit, I am so furious about this, as I am a 70 year-old grandmother who doesn't travel that much, but was saving those miles for a trip to Europe.
Does anyone have any ideas for me to avoid having to pay $300 to get my miles back? Thank you for any advice in advance--you all seem to be really helpful in all kinds of situations.
Today I decided to bite the bullet and pay for them, but found that as of today, the fee is now $300--a 300 percent increase! This is really outrageous, no heads-up that "certain fees might change, etc." Must admit, I am so furious about this, as I am a 70 year-old grandmother who doesn't travel that much, but was saving those miles for a trip to Europe.
Does anyone have any ideas for me to avoid having to pay $300 to get my miles back? Thank you for any advice in advance--you all seem to be really helpful in all kinds of situations.
http://www.ualmiles.com/ReinstatementMiles3.jsp
Feb 25, 2015, 9:26 pm
#30
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,116
