As another year draws to a close, there are several life maintenance activities that should probably be considered if you haven’t done so already.
Replacing batteries in smoke detectors, checking expiration dates on fire extinguishers, and buying new food for earthquake (or other natural disaster) kits are always good ideas. Especially with the latter as this year’s food can be donated to shelters and soup kitchens.
But while you’re taking care of the really serious stuff, it’s also a good idea to check the expiration date on frequent flier miles.
At this point, most carriers give at most 18 months of inactivity before they wipe miles away. And it’s not like those notices that say your subscription is about to expire. For all the emails and mailings airlines send out, mileage expiration notices are not in their repertoire. In fact, it’s a pretty safe bet they hope you won’t notice. (Until they send the notice offering you a chance to buy your own miles back.)
And even though you think you won’t let a year or more go buy, it happens. Happened to me in fact, when I got my son’s mileage account with American updated last year, and forgot my own.
If you’ve got more than a year to go, no worries. Or if you have a trip scheduled before the mileage expiration date, there’s also no problem. But if that date is coming up anytime soon, it’s a good idea just to take care of it now, and push the clock ahead another year or 18 months.
Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to keep miles active, even when you’re not flying. You can, for a fee, transfer miles to or from a family member. Or get miles from rental cars and hotels. And there are thousands of shopping for miles opportunities. But if those or other promotions seem like too much work, you can simply buy miles.
Admittedly buying miles is expensive, especially with lower amounts that include a flat service charge. (1,000 miles on United come to $67.25 total.) But it’s cheaper than losing enough miles for a free ticket.
photo by JF10/flickr.com/creative commons
