Evidently after we submit our proofs of purchase, register receipts, and coupon(s) specifying the airline for which we choose to receive miles, we'll all be sent certificates for the miles on that airline. The point here is that we then have to submit those certificates to the airline for credit, and it turns out that's a good thing.

That's because the mileage certs themselves will have an expiration date that (I believe) extends into the year 2000. If you wait until then to deposit them, you'll extend the life of those miles by a year for airlines that have expiration dates based on year of accrual (like American and United). So that's the tip--when you get your actual mileage certs, make sure I'm right about their having an expiration date into the year 2000, and, unless you need them for an award now, wait until that year to deposit them.

Happy eating!


TravelDave