Do miles expire?

[kimmie]

DH asked me to check on UA miles. Looked around the mileage plus section but could not find the answer.

I figured I would ask here.

Do miles expire after a certain length of time? We are planning a trip in 2011 for our 30th anniversary and wonder if we can save miles until then.

TIA

 

[librarygal]

From the United web page.

Effective December 31, 2007 miles will expire if there is no current activity for 18 months consecutive. Therefore if the expiration date on your Mileage Plus summary is December 31, 2007 or after, your new expiration date will be 18 months after your last activity. Activity includes flying, using your Mileage Plus Visa and more, for example:
- Fly UA or a Star Alliance partner
- Use your Mileage Plus credit card
- Do business with a Mileage Plus partner
-Redeem miles for award travel
-Buy miles or transfer miles

 

[crashbb]

Many mileage systems also limit how long you can keep miles in your account (even with activity). For Air Canada, for example, it is 7 years.

 

[n2mm]

From the United web page.

Effective December 31, 2007 miles will expire if there is no current activity for 18 months consecutive. Therefore if the expiration date on your Mileage Plus summary is December 31, 2007 or after, your new expiration date will be 18 months after your last activity. Activity includes flying, using your Mileage Plus Visa and more, for example:
- Fly UA or a Star Alliance partner
- Use your Mileage Plus credit card
- Do business with a Mileage Plus partner
-Redeem miles for award travel
-Buy miles or transfer miles

Correct, this is why I purchase items online via United mileage mall. This way I keep my account active when I'm not flying them. I just cashed in 100,000 miles for 4 rt tickets to WDW for 2009. So OP, yes they do expire if there is inactivity.

 

[PatMcDuck]

My delta miles, good until 2010, recently became only good until Dec 31 2008. I guess because of lack of activity, although I use a Delta credit card sometimes at Costco. Luckily I used them, just back from trip to DL using the miles.

So, it is tricky because they can and DO change the rules. I know I read lately that it might be good to use them up, so we did.

 

[kimmie]

Thanks everyone. DH uses his United mileage plus credit card for all his business transactions, so..we can keep the miles until 2011! I am sure he will continue using the card for a few more years. I know everything is subject to change..yada yada..so I will keep my eyes on any changes.