I have lost United FF miles on two of our accounts due to inactivity. One of them I knew about late last year and at the time United told me I can buy them back for $50. First I tried to ask them to reactivate my miles but they told me I have to buy it back at $12.50/1000 miles plus some fee. It will cost me $600 to re-instate my miles.

Does anyone know how forgiving these people are or is there a better way to get my miles back?

Thanks.