Frequent-Flier Miles�The $280
Billion Currency
There was a
time when you could let your frequent-flier miles sit dormant
forever, but no longer. Now the miles expiration clock has begun
ticking faster than ever. As the airlines are wanting to get those
liabilities off their books...some 14.2 trillion airline miles are
now in existence, at 2-cents value per mile that�s a $280 billion
currency!
There was a
hodgepodge of expiration policies until 1999, when most major
carriers adopted a three-year rule. Then US Airways announced last
fall that inactive frequent-flier mileage would expire in 18 months,
down from 36. Delta set a 24-month clock. United and American
Airlines then implemented an 18-month expiration.
It�s now
estimated that upwards of 75% of airline miles are not redeemed.
With the new policies that figure will climb...which certainly
should be unacceptable.
Here�s the
action(s) to take so you can hold on to your miles:
1) Take a
short, quick flight on the airline or one of its alliance partners.
2) Redeem
miles for a flight or another award such as a magazine subscription.
3) Use a
credit card that awards frequent-flier miles.
4) Stay in a
hotel that offers miles in the carrier�s program.
5) Send
flowers through FTD.
In some
programs you earn miles to keep your account alive, but be sure to
ask first.