ArizonaGuy

Gee. My mom's account has 0 miles. Last activity was 12/30/2009. But per email, if she pays $25 by 6/29 those 0 miles will remain active another 18 months.

DrVC

I just realized that I have forfeited 68K miles and have until 5/30 to fly US or get credit/debit card etc... I did most of my flying on America West in 2005-06 (when I also made the lowly Silver for 2 years), and I was under the impression that the miles had no expiration (looks like the policy changed in 2007)... I don't recall getting any letter or advanced notice/email regarding the mileage expiration either :-(

Has any FlyerTalk veteran managed to get their miles reinstated by somehow convincing/cajoling/sweet-talking the DM customer service agent? ;-)

Would greatly appreciate any pointers to get the miles back without having to get dinged on my FICO scores for credit card application as I may not be flying US in the immediate future.

dcpatti

I wouldn't count on being able to cajole or sweet-talk an agent into waiving this fee; they don't usually budge on this. If you're getting your DM statements in email every month, the expiry info is right on there, so it's in your best interest to keep your email addy up to date with US, and to actually read the emails they send you.

One has to ask, though, might it not be better to just let these miles go? I know I would find a good use for the 68k miles but then again, I'd not let them go stale. It's an account you've not used in years (and possibly forgotten about) on an airline you never fly. Do you *really* want or need a credit card just to save the miles? Will whatever you use the miles for something that costs more than the reinstatement fee AND you were going to purchase anyway? Or are you at this point just throwing good money after bad (miles)?

dcpatti

This is hilarious

DrVC

While I am thankful for dcpatti's response, I hate to lose 68K miles (=~$680? ;-)...

I have few more days left before the reinstatement date slips away, so I will find the time to call USAir DM customer service and try to cajole them... Or, perhaps I can get the debit card for $30? Seems like worthwhile to save 68K miles...

Any similar experience or advice?

TeleP

deleted

HikerT

DrVC, if you have good credit I would apply for the Mastercard. First year annual fee is waived (link) and a single credit inquiry won't impact your FICO score much. For that credit inquiry you'll get a LOT more benefits than you would with the debit card including a first purchase mileage bonus of 35K. Second year fee isn't waived but you get 10K bonus miles at anniversary which is worth the annual fee. The other card benefits are nice too, including first class check-in, annual $99 companion ticket for 2 companions, discount on redeeming miles, annual guest pass for lounge etc.

DrVC

Thank you, HikerT!

Any other ideas or suggestions for bringing forfeited miles back from the brink of expiration?

maxbluebrosche

Install the DM Toolbar and do some searches with ! It will need some time to get the miles creditet, but it works ^

dcpatti

This woNt work if the miles have already been forfeited, only if they are BEFORE forfeiture!

maxbluebrosche

you are right, sorry, i missed the word forfeited

CDKing

I got a similar offer but i have 18K points. The offer has now gone down to $9 so i just paid it. My itunes purchase was taking too long to post.

I dont know how people miss that their miles are going to expire. I've only been getting a letter in the mail every few weeks stating its going to expire

DaniD

If I buy miles with the running promo, will this count as activity as well? And what about booking an award flight?

AZ Travels the World

Both will count as a qualifying activity.

DaniD

Cool. That shoudŽldn't be a problem then