I realize not all airline FF programs offer multiple methods of earning points or allow the extension of valid points by the earning of new points, but that is an avenue worth exploring. Most airlines have some version of an airline portal. And Alitalia is one of the few airlines I know that have a drop dead date for your miles (and its program!). Before I came to FT, I let some small amount in the old US program to expire that I could have easily kept alive by use of the information I learned here.