My miles of 2003 just expired cause I didn't redeem them before Dec31,2003. I wish FFP don't have expired miles. Can I contact the program to have them reinstate my expired miles ? Will it work ?

It really depends on the program and perhaps their generosity in waving the magic wand to make things a go.
Usually an understanding that you will start useing the companies product and program again or regularly helps.
Some more details as to which program youre miles are in might prove helpful.
Being you are so close to the deadline/cut off its worth a shot. No program wants to lose a customer over such a matter.
With that said some can be really tough when applying the rules.Especially International where they may be less competing carriers in a given market.
Good Luck


------------------
AA & Starwood,Marriott Platinum
Hyatt, Hilton Diamond
Swissotel Club Gold
U/A 1k

[This message has been edited by 777 global mile hound (edited Jan 04, 2004).]

Are these the same miles that you asked about four months ago?

Mike

VS reinstated 116,000 miles for me several months after they expired.

Which airline?????

The reason why I ask, are the major carriers (like AA and UAL), extend the expiration date for another three years, from the last activity. And this could be any activity, like using iDine to buy a $2 drink, or taking a survey on OpinionPlace.com.

I lost UAL miles for two of my kids as of January 1st. I knew they hadn't flown UAL in awhile but I didn't realize it had been so long. I'm a bit annoyed because they don't get paper statements any more and the website doesn't show anywhere when your last activity date was or when your miles are expiring.

I emailed UAL customer service and was told I could buy the miles back for 1.25 cents per mile plus a $25 fee.

They each only had 1750 miles so it wasn't a huge loss and obviously not worth the buy back. Still disappointing.

I would advise anyone to be careful using Bank One's "Premier Value Miles" program. We just tried to redeem some miles only to be told that 10,000 of our miles had expired 4 days before on Dec. 22nd, the date of our December statement. It is true that our statements (we have two Bank One accounts) each month said in nondescript print "Miles expiring with 12-2003 statement" or "Miles expiring with 12-2004 statement." But we never noticed the word "statement" and assumed the miles expired on the 31st of December. They have been inflexible and insist that once miles have expired they will not return them to an account. Since both of our accounts annual fees are assessed in the summer, it is occurring to me that Bank One deliberately has their customers miles expire in the hectic days before Christmas so they don't have to redeem them. Has anyone had a similar experience with Bank One?

------------------

I have lost United FF miles on two of our accounts due to inactivity. One of them I knew about late last year and at the time United told me I can buy them back for $50. First I tried to ask them to reactivate my miles but they told me I have to buy it back at $12.50/1000 miles plus some fee. It will cost me $600 to re-instate my miles.

Does anyone know how forgiving these people are or is there a better way to get my miles back?

Thanks.

Seems like she didn't want to tell us what airline then either. Maybe she's trying to keep it as vague as possible so I don't close or move the thread?

There was an article in the December issue of InsideFlyer about saving expired miles (including the research that posting of miles isn't really required before 12/31, just the activity). You might look that up.

There's really several things someone can do to prevent expiring miles: subscribe to Insideflyer because in Nov/Dec there will always be several articles warning you and giving advice on such a thing. This should jog your memory. Also, you really should consider either mileagemanager.com or maxmiles.com Each of these tools have email alerts to warn you of miles that are expiring. This way you don't need to remember, it does it for you. Anyway, I've found these simple investments to be well worth it to never have any miles/points expire.

Mylene: you also might draft an email to me explaining the details and program and perhaps I can help. Seems like Jan, is my "tax season" for expiring miles and I don't mind trying to help.