How to avoid miles/points expirations?
 

Is one of them --generally, parhaps not for all--make any change in your profile for the specific account that you have not used for a while?

I can guarantee that there are multiple threads on this topic under each and every program with expiring points or miles. "Parhaps" you should review them.

The easiest way I found is idine/Rewards Network. If it's available for you, getting a $1.50 soda will earn you a few miles, but will also (in most programs) extend your expiration date! :D

one reason people forget about all their many miles to the point where they wake up one day and go and check their balances only to find out they have been deleted is because we all have too much to do and not enough mind time to do it all!

I find one way to solve this is to have less to do/manage in one's life.

Go thru all your accounts, figure out what you REALLY need, and then, spend some time bringing up the balances of those ones you really do not want around any more. Get them to whatever level you can to redeem an award and then be done with the accounts! ZERO the accounts!

I think I have like 50 miles on Delta right now. 50 is zero. I DON'T CARE if it expires! In fact, when WILL it expire already? :rolleyes: I wanna sign up on some new customer promo and get a bonus and start all over again! :D

The point is, doing this could make it so there is one less thing to worry about in your world. In my case above, I fly NWA and can earn my sky team miles there even when I happen to be on a DL or Co plane. I used up 25k DL miles after bringing the account up from 19k or something, and was out of that game and onto other things.

I actually have nothing against Delta right now either. It just happens to be my most recent example. If I did, I am zeroing THAT out too! Start anew or be done. Your choice. The idea is you can now focus on doing all your online mall shopping on the other airline. THAT always gains you miles that thusly keep your account active another 18 months to 3 years depending on the FFP.

:)MM

Using mileage to make a purchase of magazine subscriptions is an easy way to keep you account active (american airlines, continental and others offer this). Or use a credit card for that program (there is generally an annual fee for this). Another way is to purchase something through the website (e.g., United MP Mall).

I have orphan US miles that I will almost surely never use. Not enough for an award. When I get a notice they will expire without activity, I donate 1000 to charity. I don't know about other airlines, but it's easy to do with US Dividend Miles.

I probably should just give them all to charity, and just might do that next time they let me know I need activity.

Join Alaska Airlines' Mileage Program. They NEVER expire! ^

The Advantex-run shopping miles programs (including for UA and AS) do not seem to post miles very reliably or quickly, so they may not be the best choice for a last minute purchase to avoid an expiration deadline.

Not true. They will expire in 3 years with no activity. Better check your facts. See http://www.alaskaair.com/as/mileagep...age-expiration

Phil

No, won't usually work. You need to 'earn' miles every so often (every 12 mo to 36 mo) to keep acct active. How about picking a date, say Jan.1st, and add a few miles to all your programs by purchasing something thru their mall or dining program? Do this every Jan. 1st and they'll never expire.

Phil

You've asked about this very subject on two occasions before, and have been told each time that you can't extend expiration dates simply by updating your profile. :rolleyes:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=469202
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=449043

Mike

Ya, it's strange that a veteran would repeatedly ask a rookie question. Maybe their acct. has been hijacked by one of their kids. :D

:td: :rolleyes:

Most of the programs count earn or spend as activity.

Note that particular programs may exclude certain activity. For example, Delta doesn't count certain bonus miles (such as for filling out a survey).