I signed up and got bonus miles about 4months ago.

I haven't used it since then - I am hoping these miles get blended with my UA or at least I can redeem as if they are from one air line.

My questions are:
- does Continental also has expiration of miles (Delta just removed it)
- Is there any benefit in keeping the card - if so what is the lowest credit limit it will allow.

THanks

Like 99% of others, the card is like manna from heaven when the miles get posted, and suddenly it becomes the card from hell the very next day?? Why would that be???

A few points:


If you got the card for miles w/ CO, why not use the miles w/ CO for a flight? I'm assuming you got the 25,000 miles? This would get you a Round Trip Ticket.


Secondly, the miles will merge into the 'new' program, whenever it might be, probably after the 1st of 2012. From what I have seen around here, CO's miles do not expire. Even if they did, just buy ANYTHING with the card (more than $1.00), and that 1 mile once it transfers over will reset any expiration of the miles in your account, though like I said, I do not believe they expire.


Third, I'd assume you have the OnePass Plus (Black) Card? The lowest credit limit for this card is $5,000, which is MC's lowest allowable limit for their world card. I know, because I have the "old" silver OnePass card from Chase, and wanted to 'upgrade' to the new one, however, Chase indicated that it would have required an increase of my credit line to $5,000.


Lastly, I do not know if you have any status with your "home" airline, which I assume is UA? --- But the card does give you a free bag on CO flights, discounts on the DirecTV service, and I believe some discount on food/beverage, but I could be wrong. If you have just three itineraries where you'd start off on CO, the annual fee pays for itself with the free bag. You'll also get two president's club passes at your annual renewal date, which could be something worthwhile for you as well.


Hope this helps!

Continental's position is that there is no mileage expiration. CO also states that they can close your account and eliminate your miles after 18 months of non-earning.

You can take that how choose to, but for all intents are purposes, I think most people would consider that an 18-month expiration. Sorry for the long-winded answer, but if I didn't include all that detail, someone would most certainly jump down my throat for not including CO's spin on the situation.


Why would you want a low limit -- a higher limit helps your credit score.

I'll take you up on that jump down your throat offer.

For all intents and purposes in my book CO miles don't expire.
They have never expired a single mile AFAIK since the Onepass program started so I don't see how most people would "consider" that an 18 month expiration.

Also worth quoting...

What's a "Futuer"?

Would you risk your miles to that? What if you had a half million of them? Or a million? Or more?

Would you really let them sit idle for more than 18 months with the policy on the books saying they could be whacked without notice?

If you wouldn't, then you have to treat them like they expire.

Please stop the fear mngering. CO hasn't ever expired any miles and they certainly aren't going to do so in whatever the remaining life of the program is.

Do you have a source for that? If CO wants to come out publicly and say that, then that would be one thing. Otherwise, the rules are what they say they are, and I'm not willing to risk hundreds of thousands of miles because I think CO will do right by me, especially when I can take some relatively easy precautions to ensure I don't get messed up here.

UA has blown away miles, and CO is merging with UA. If anything, there is more reason now than before to be aware of this rule.

Finally, I don't think your post suggesting I'm "fearmongering" is in COmpliance with our moderator's guidelines on personal comments.

Personally, I can speak first-hand on this issue, as I am deliberately watching our CO mileage balances and lack of activity to ensure we don't lose mileage.