(Rant) My UA miles expired, I have no use for United
Jun 30, 2017, 1:26 pm
#31
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
They really SHOULD send emails, snail mail, or something, to alert you to expiring miles.
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.
There was ZERO communication from them. Last earned points less than 2 years ago.
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.
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
Yeah, OP had an expiring right-to-use that he/she did not exercise. Sort of like getting a coupon in a cereal box, not using it in time, and then claim Proctor and Gamble (or whoever) didn't tell him/her about the expiration date printed on it. Except P&G won't let one re-buy the value of a $1 coupon for 75 cents.
Last edited by l etoile; Jun 30, 2017 at 2:04 pm
Jun 30, 2017, 1:38 pm
#32
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: NJ, USA
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 671
Huh? RUles on UA site in your account section clearly say miles expire after 18 months of inactivity!
Last edited by l etoile; Jun 30, 2017 at 2:04 pm
Jun 30, 2017, 1:39 pm
#33
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
Anyway, with all the other loyalty programs and airlines out there, I don't need them, and will avoid them. They don't fly anywhere I want to go that some other, better airline doesn't also fly to. Even before their recent problems, they were probably the worst airline I've flown.
Jun 30, 2017, 1:45 pm
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,004
Jun 30, 2017, 1:46 pm
#35
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
Nope. They never sent anything. They have my email address, and they send me emails. Nothing about expiring miles.
Last edited by l etoile; Jun 30, 2017 at 2:05 pm
Jun 30, 2017, 1:50 pm
#36
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: NJ, USA
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 671
LOL - but they DO!!! They clearly have an expiration date printed on them. They were never 'physical' items to begin with. So these virtual items had a virtual expiration date clearly printed. You chose to ignore it.
Jun 30, 2017, 1:52 pm
#37
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
...and when I complained that they never warned me, they didn't say, "We sent you email(s) about that." Nope, they just told me how I could buy them back.
It's okay. I would have used them on merchandise or something (which makes the buy-back offer really a rip-off). I don't fly their airline anymore.
I just think they should make a little more effort to let people know their points are expiring. They obviously feel otherwise.
It's okay. I would have used them on merchandise or something (which makes the buy-back offer really a rip-off). I don't fly their airline anymore.
I just think they should make a little more effort to let people know their points are expiring. They obviously feel otherwise.
Jun 30, 2017, 1:52 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,004
Again, for the one hundredth time - your account page shows expiration date. Hopefully you're not going to claim yours is the only one that doesn't. Threatening not to fly an airline that you haven't flown on for years is an empty threat.
Jun 30, 2017, 1:53 pm
#39
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
Doesn't help that they changed the log in, making it more difficult to do that.
Last edited by l etoile; Jun 30, 2017 at 2:05 pm
Jun 30, 2017, 2:26 pm
#40
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somewhere in Florida
Posts: 2,616
I'd suggest the OP invest in AwardWallet or similar website where all of your points, programs, and expiry information is on one screen. No accidentally leaving money on the table with it.
Jun 30, 2017, 2:26 pm
#41
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
I had a heck of a time using my paper Ł5 notes last month in the UK. I ended up having to exchange them for plastic fivers at the post office.
I'd suggest the OP invest in AwardWallet or similar website where all of your points, programs, and expiry information is on one screen. No accidentally leaving money on the table with it.
I'd suggest the OP invest in AwardWallet or similar website where all of your points, programs, and expiry information is on one screen. No accidentally leaving money on the table with it.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 30, 2017 at 2:42 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member -- please use multi-quote
Jun 30, 2017, 2:52 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,004
Sounds like Alaska works for you and you hated United even before you let your miles expire. Good luck!
And since you couldn't bother to read United's posted conditions on mileage/account expiration, here's Alaska's (which are remarkably similar to UA's):
"Mileage Plan miles do not have an expiration date and may remain in an active account indefinitely, provided that the Mileage Plan program has not been terminated pursuant to these conditions of membership. Activity in an account includes redeeming a Mileage Plan award or accruing mileage in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program. However, notwithstanding any term to the contrary, if a Mileage Plan account is inactive for 2 years, Alaska Airlines may close the account, delete any mileage balance and reassign the Mileage Plan number. Deleted mileage can be reinstated for a fee for up to 1 year. To reinstate a Mileage Plan account please contact customer care"
To put it simply - no activity with Alaska in 24 months equals forfeiture and closure of account.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Jun 30, 2017 at 3:00 pm
Jun 30, 2017, 3:09 pm
#43
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
And since you couldn't bother to read United's posted conditions on mileage/account expiration, here's Alaska's (which are remarkably similar to UA's):
"Mileage Plan miles do not have an expiration date and may remain in an active account indefinitely, provided that the Mileage Plan program has not been terminated pursuant to these conditions of membership. Activity in an account includes redeeming a Mileage Plan award or accruing mileage in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program. However, notwithstanding any term to the contrary, if a Mileage Plan account is inactive for 2 years, Alaska Airlines may close the account, delete any mileage balance and reassign the Mileage Plan number. Deleted mileage can be reinstated for a fee for up to 1 year. To reinstate a Mileage Plan account please contact customer care"
To put it simply - no activity with Alaska in 24 months equals forfeiture and closure of account.
"Mileage Plan miles do not have an expiration date and may remain in an active account indefinitely, provided that the Mileage Plan program has not been terminated pursuant to these conditions of membership. Activity in an account includes redeeming a Mileage Plan award or accruing mileage in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program. However, notwithstanding any term to the contrary, if a Mileage Plan account is inactive for 2 years, Alaska Airlines may close the account, delete any mileage balance and reassign the Mileage Plan number. Deleted mileage can be reinstated for a fee for up to 1 year. To reinstate a Mileage Plan account please contact customer care"
To put it simply - no activity with Alaska in 24 months equals forfeiture and closure of account.
Most airlines have this type of flexible language in their FFP terms and conditions. IMO in the past most airlines did not strictly enforce their inactivity forfeiture policy; but in the era of endless revenue grabs they are.
SL
Jun 30, 2017, 4:11 pm
#44
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,423
I disagree. Currency is only what is perceived as a value for the trading of goods. You can accumulate miles and trade them for airplane seats, TVs, magazines, etc. In the US they are not taxed, but that's not true in every country.
@ LondonElite "The difference is that you own the currency. You don't own the miles, or their 'value'."
You don't own currency. It's property of the issuing government.
@ LondonElite "The difference is that you own the currency. You don't own the miles, or their 'value'."
You don't own currency. It's property of the issuing government.
Jun 30, 2017, 4:22 pm
#45
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Gold + 1MM; HHonors Gold; Marriott Plat
Posts: 746
I actually have Indian Rupee currency notes. They were demonetized last November. I was unable to travel to India during the 'swap' period. They have 'expired' ad become worthless...