Orphaned miles?
Oct 20, 2009 | 5:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,071
Orphaned miles?
I have seen this term used from time to time on the Delta forums but am not sure what it means precisely and its not in the FAQ glossary. So whats the definition exactly?
Oct 20, 2009 | 5:14 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: DC metro
Programs: PC Platinum Ambassador, Marriott Gold Elite, UA 2P, Starwood Gold, Avis First, Bolt Bus $1 Rider
Posts: 1,175
that are below the threshold for use,
usually non transferable unless you pay costs close to or exceeding the value of the miles themselves,
and you dont plan on flying that airline or frequenting that hotel, so the balance is not likely to increase
Oct 20, 2009 | 5:18 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316
Orphaned miles are a few thousand miles in an account that are not enough to use for anything and cannot be transferred to your primary account. So if you were to have 7000 miles in an old UA account and are not flying UA anymore those would be orphaned miles.
Oct 20, 2009 | 5:43 am
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,077
"Orphaned miles" only exist if someone wants the miles to be considered "orphaned" and/or if not willing to invest the time to pursue other options.