Just had the following email, which clarifies the policy on how miles expire within a HHA. Don't know if this is specifically ex-US or not. This was not in response to an inquiry from me, but I have seen a few ex-US members run into problems with expiring miles the last couple of months, so perhaps is in response to that?

I thought it was rather interesting what they said about miles expiring immediately for HHA members with no activity once everyone in the family drops down to Blue. However, this may not be news to anyone here and there actually may be nothing in this that is "breaking news":

"Dear Mr. Walsh,

We would like to clarify how you and the members of your Household Account can ensure that each member's BA Miles remain active.

Since your Household Account is made up of individual Executive Club members, Executive Club BA Miles expiration terms apply: a member's BA Miles expire if that member is inactive after 36 months. (Inactive is defined as not having earned or redeemed any BA Miles.)

However, whenever any member of your Household Account redeems BA Miles for a flight on British Airways or any of our partner airlines, that redemption automatically triggers activity for everyone in your household. This will prevent all Household Account members' BA Miles from expiring for another 36 months.

In addition, if you or any member of your Household Account is a Silver or Gold member, the BA Miles for each member will not expire. However, should the Silver or Gold membership lapse, the BA Miles of any member who has not had activity in the last 36 months will expire immediately.

Please note: You are receiving this letter because you are head of a Household Account, regardless of the activity in your own account. In order to view your account status, please visit ba.com.

Yours sincerely,
William B. Harford Jr.
Senior Vice President Commercial, Americas"