Redeeming all miles
May 7, 2020, 9:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 5
Redeeming all miles
I stupidly churned the MBNA Alaska miles credit card without doing enough due diligence. I've held on to them for about two years without using them.
I don't plan on doing any traveling this year so I'd like to redeem them for something other than traveling - I know traveling is the best redemption, but based on current conditions, I just kind of want to get rid of them.
I did some searching and it doesn't look like I can redeem them for gift cards or anything quick that I can liquidate them.
Any suggestions?
I don't plan on doing any traveling this year so I'd like to redeem them for something other than traveling - I know traveling is the best redemption, but based on current conditions, I just kind of want to get rid of them.
I did some searching and it doesn't look like I can redeem them for gift cards or anything quick that I can liquidate them.
Any suggestions?
May 7, 2020, 12:03 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,392
May 7, 2020, 12:05 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,392
No worries, but you DO actually have AA seasonal service to YHZ that is bookable on AS (in normal times, pandemic scheduling isn't normal). Also, if you wait a bit AS will be joining Oneworld which will possibly mean that you'd be able to mix and match AA and other OW airlines like BA/JL/CX/etc.
I wouldn't be panic liquidating miles assuming everyone's going to go bankrupt, but you do you I guess...
I wouldn't be panic liquidating miles assuming everyone's going to go bankrupt, but you do you I guess...
May 7, 2020, 12:09 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,392
I don't think it's stupid at all, BA Avios on YHZ-NYC/PHL on the seasonal AA flights (assuming they fly and assuming award availability) is actually a good use of miles. My experience is that the Canada-LGA flights do have decent availability on awards.
May 7, 2020, 12:18 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 5
I actually do love going to NYC - so maybe I'll hold on to the BA Avios then. Thanks for the tip!
May 7, 2020, 2:11 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SJC
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,117
Honestly AS is in excellent financial shape compared to other carriers so I wouldn't worry about them going under and you loose all the miles.
However being YHZ based your AS partner options are quite limited.
However being YHZ based your AS partner options are quite limited.
May 7, 2020, 2:17 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,027
ExChurningSub Welcome to FT
ExChurningSub needs to investigate ways to earn or use AS ff miles and BA avios to ensure they do not expire due to no eligible activity. Will then have more time to use them for good value
AS
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...and-conditions
Mileage Plan Inactivity Policy (The Earn/Burn a Small Number of Miles Thread)
BA
Your guide to spending Avios | 2020 edition
Your guide to the Executive Club, attaining status and earning Avios | 2020 edition
British Airways (BA) Executive Club: 3 years (Earn, Redeem, Purchase, Transfer. section 14.4 of T&C)
If no action is taken they will expire.
AS ff miles and BA avios cannot be sold for cash or bartered for cash like items
AS BA & AA are all ff partners now. Next year when AS joins Oneworld will be some more opportunities, but AS is a partner with many OW airlines now.
[OP has hit the 5 post limit for newbies]
AS
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...and-conditions
Account and mileage expirationMileage Plan miles do not have an expiration date and may remain in an active account indefinitely, provided that the Mileage Plan program has not been terminated pursuant to these conditions of membership. Activity in an account includes redeeming a Mileage Plan award or accruing mileage in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program. However, notwithstanding any term to the contrary, if a Mileage Plan account is inactive for 2 years, Alaska Airlines may close the account, delete any mileage balance and reassign the Mileage Plan number. Deleted mileage can be reinstated for a fee for up to 1 year.
BA
Your guide to spending Avios | 2020 edition
Your guide to the Executive Club, attaining status and earning Avios | 2020 edition
British Airways (BA) Executive Club: 3 years (Earn, Redeem, Purchase, Transfer. section 14.4 of T&C)
- Best / Cheapest Way to Save Expiring Avios Points
- Miles Expiry in a Household Account
- Best way to extend avios beyond the 36 months-period
- Keeping account active when not spending avios Has links to other threads
If no action is taken they will expire.
AS ff miles and BA avios cannot be sold for cash or bartered for cash like items
AS BA & AA are all ff partners now. Next year when AS joins Oneworld will be some more opportunities, but AS is a partner with many OW airlines now.
[OP has hit the 5 post limit for newbies]
Last edited by Mwenenzi; May 7, 2020 at 2:39 pm
May 8, 2020, 9:48 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 973
@ExChurningSub: My experience and YMMV. I had AS miles about to expire and would not be able to use them as I saved them for long haul trips with CX. I booked a trip using the miles for a relative to travel in July this year. It turned out to be impossible for her to travel due to covid-19. I cancelled the flights, received my AS miles back into my account immediately and refund of taxes and partner fee received back on credit card a week later. The redemption booking extended my AS miles for another year. The redeposit of miles from cancellation extended my AS miles for another year. Am happy with both as they gave me more time to use the miles when the time comes. Food for thought ...
May 8, 2020, 10:20 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
@ExChurningSub: My experience and YMMV. I had AS miles about to expire and would not be able to use them as I saved them for long haul trips with CX. I booked a trip using the miles for a relative to travel in July this year. It turned out to be impossible for her to travel due to covid-19. I cancelled the flights, received my AS miles back into my account immediately and refund of taxes and partner fee received back on credit card a week later. The redemption booking extended my AS miles for another year. The redeposit of miles from cancellation extended my AS miles for another year. Am happy with both as they gave me more time to use the miles when the time comes. Food for thought ...
James
May 9, 2020, 2:38 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 973
AS miles expire after 24 months (2 years) of account inactivity. If you have the Alaska BofA Visa, BofA deposits 1 mile into your account on each anniversary date when the companion certificate is issued. As long as you have the Card, your AS miles will never expire. The same holds true for the MBNA Canadian co-branded Alaska Airlines Mastercard.
James
James
