(Rant) My UA miles expired, I have no use for United
Jun 29, 2017, 2:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Programs: Bonvoy P, HHonors Dia, Hyatt Disc, FPC, Alaskan, Hawaiian, AA, United, Elevate, Amex
Posts: 192
(Rant) My UA miles expired, I have no use for United
I had about 36k miles, and they deleted them, with no warning at all.
They offered to let me pay to reinstate them.
After all of United's problems recently, you'd think they would care a little more. But nope.
Well, I usually fly to Maui, and there are much better options (Hawaiian, Alaska/Virgin, etc), so who needs them, anyway?
They offered to let me pay to reinstate them.
After all of United's problems recently, you'd think they would care a little more. But nope.
Well, I usually fly to Maui, and there are much better options (Hawaiian, Alaska/Virgin, etc), so who needs them, anyway?
Jun 29, 2017, 2:31 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
They send lots of emails about expiring miles. And if yours expired that means you haven't been a UA customer in YEARS so you already moved on.
Jun 29, 2017, 2:40 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,014
Mileage expiration is not only noted in communications from UA, but is noted on everyone's MP account page. Even if UA screwed up in communications, the information was at your fingertips. Mileage expiration at other carriers runs the same way. If you choose to ignore other airlines' notifications/statements/account page, you end up with the same result at the other airlines. And it sounds like you've had no use for United for the past 3 years anyway. UA has lie-flats to Maui this fall. Hawaiian/Virgin/Alaska are fine if you really don't travel much beyond their respective limited networks.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Jun 29, 2017 at 2:50 pm
Jun 29, 2017, 2:47 pm
#4
Senior Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
Posts: 12,396
And in the event that the OP is interested in pursuing redemption options, this thread (and wiki) may help: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...2015-a-11.html
Jun 29, 2017, 3:16 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
Sounds to me like, "given all the problems United been having in the press, I expected them to bend the rules for me. Or maybe have no rules at all."
Jun 29, 2017, 4:01 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: 1K---2,909,450 BIS miles
Posts: 214
Jun 29, 2017, 4:03 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
I would check out the thread that OCN Vw 1K posted above. I seem to recall united giving the same response to someone who had SIGNIFICANTLY more than 36k miles (hundreds of thousands of miles if I recall correctly). You're not alone.
Don't rant, use the time the read the thread if you really want those 36k miles back.
Don't rant, use the time the read the thread if you really want those 36k miles back.
Jun 29, 2017, 4:40 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: RNO
Programs: AA/DL/UA
Posts: 10,770
Given lack of activity, shouldn't the thread title say "had" not "have"?
Jun 29, 2017, 5:07 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
But to use an analogy: say you have some British pounds, but you haven't been to England in a few years. Do they just let them expire and become worthless?
Jun 29, 2017, 5:16 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
Loyalty points are not currency. Personally, I don't care for UA's policy either, but it's a one-sided relationship. Companies make the rules, and consumers' options are whether or not to do business with that company.
If "miles never expire" is the most important criterion, I recommend DL.
Jun 29, 2017, 6:08 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Yes, actually. The pound was demonetized in the 60's; the continental European currencies in the early 00's; the Philippine peso (old banknote series) a few years ago; the Zimbabwean dollar, repeatedly...
Loyalty points are not currency. Personally, I don't care for UA's policy either, but it's a one-sided relationship. Companies make the rules, and consumers' options are whether or not to do business with that company.
If "miles never expire" is the most important criterion, I recommend DL.
Loyalty points are not currency. Personally, I don't care for UA's policy either, but it's a one-sided relationship. Companies make the rules, and consumers' options are whether or not to do business with that company.
If "miles never expire" is the most important criterion, I recommend DL.
And my friend asked about transferring out her Amex MR points, so she could close the account, and I said DL! They don't expire. Easy.
Jun 29, 2017, 6:36 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Also, points aren't currency.
The OP screwed up and wanted UA to bend the rules. Didn't get that and came here with a useless rant. At least had the decency to put that in the thread title.
Jun 29, 2017, 6:58 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: UA MM, Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 264
Yeah, with all those premium level hotel memberships, how hard would it have been to change the awards earning for a hotel stay to United miles, or points + miles. Even if you only do it for one stay every couple years. Duh. That's a pretty easy way to keep the account active. Or, maybe buy something from Home Depot or FTD via MP Shopping?
Points are not cash in the bank. Don't expect them to be treated that way.
Points are not cash in the bank. Don't expect them to be treated that way.
Jun 29, 2017, 7:00 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,686
You knew enough about how to keep hotel points from expiring to call the timeshare salesmen liars. How could you have missed this one? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...l#post21619694
Jun 29, 2017, 7:06 pm
#15
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