Originally Posted by
reft
Serious answer? Miles and points are carried in some way on their financials representing a future obligation. Expiring the points means obligations coming off the books.
It is worth keeping the points for just-in-case. Maybe you fly another airline, but get IROP'd onto AA metal with a Y fare - maybe you can blow 5000 or 15000 points to upgrade to the pointy end of the bird. Maybe you book a hotel through AA travel and can use the points. If you dislike AA, then just keep the points so they have to carry them on your books. Feel free to substitute DL/UA/WN or anyone else for AA.
(This is Flyertalk, not Sparta. No bottomless wells, but there seems to be an expectation you hang on to all the points you can. I think the FT Ninja's were cut from the budget, but you never know....
)
I understand the liability, but it seems an uncompetitive feature with all the other airlines who have miles that don't expire. Its not like its a vegetable with a limited shelf life, AA chooses to have them expire while other airlines choose not to.
And thanks guv1976 for the round trip suggestion. I am doing a multi trip for Christmas and New Year. BNA - BOS, BOS-PHX, PHX-BNA. I suspect I will have 3 different tickets with 3 different airlines (B6, DL, and AA). I would really like to fly the BOS - PHX route in first, so I am planning on paying cash for that.