United Mileage Plus - New Expiration Policy
by Mr Credit Card
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United has just announced today that they have a new expiration policy on United Mileage Plus Miles. From now onwards, miles are valid for only 18 months versus 36 months previously.
The rationale for this is that it will enable the “true frequent flyer” and loyal customers to compete with fewer people to get award seats. This will also reduce their operating costs.
Their website stated that Mileage Plus accounts that have not earned or redeemed miles since July 1, 2006 will have associated miles expire on Dec. 31, 2007.
However, like all airline frequent flyer programs, there are ways to “keep your account active and extend the life of your miles). You can do the following things :
1. Fly United or one of its 28 airline partners and earn UA miles.
2. Sign up for the United Mileage Plus® Platinum Business Card. And oh! make sure you use your card!
3. purchase products or services from more than 100 travel and retail partners (may be difficult if you do not know which are their partner merchants!)
4. use miles by taking a trip to one of the 841 destinations United and its partners serve (basically telling you to use up your miles)
5. use miles for merchandise, hotel stays and dining (ditto)
6. transfer miles to another Mileage Plus member (please redeem seats on someone else’s airplane!)
7. donate miles to the Mileage Plus Charity Miles program (good for your soul and good for UA as well!).
I see this trend continuing as airlines consolidate (US Airways still wants Delta Airlines). However, if you are not a frequent flyer, but occassionally want to use United Mileage Plus Miles to get a free airline ticket, there are credit cards that help you get around this. Here are your alternatives.
1. Get an American Express® Preferred Rewards Green Card. Yes, you have pay an annual fee plus $10 when you transfer points to miles. But Membership Reward Points do not expire and you can choose when to transfer miles. Even if you are not a frequent flyer member of any airline, you can always set one up before you book your flight, transfer membership reward points over and get your free airline ticket!.
2. Get the Chase Flexible Rewards Platinum Visa® Card. The flexible Rewards program allows you to transfer points into United Mileage Plus Miles. The conversion is slightly less than one for one, but with this card you do not pay any annual fee at all. (Note : this information cannot be found on Chase website. But I have this card and can vouch for it).