We've written about this trend of expiring frequent flier miles in the past. Just a few years ago you had three years to redeem miles. Now 12-24 months is the norm (Virgin Atlantic is still three years). Miles used to expire after Dec. 31 each year; now they may expire any time and you're unlikely to get a call from your airline warning you. (Tthere are some sites that will track your miles expiration dates and alert you 30 to 60 days before they expire. We haven't looked at them, but the Los Angeles Times has.) There's even an iPhone app, Mileblaster, that keeps track of your miles and sends alerts.
Some airlines give you fewer miles depending on the type of ticket you buy. British Airways, for instance, now gives only 25 percent of the miles you'd receive with a standard ticket if you book a discounted, or non-changeable ticket.
This all may not seem like a big deal since miles programs are free. But if you stay loyal to an airline in hopes of cashing in rewards, you may miss out on cheaper airfares from competing airlines. And according to the Associated Press, Schumer believes that consumers actually pay for frequent flier programs through higher ticket prices and fees.
Randy Petersen, founder of flyertalk.com and editor of insideflyer.com, says miles expiration policies fall into three scenarios:
• Passive expiration. Points expire after two years, but you can easily reset the two years through almost any activity: filling out an online survey, making small redemptions (like buying a magazine subscription) or making purchases through an airlines "mileage mall." In such "malls," purchasing a single, 99-cent song on iTunes might be enough to keep your miles current. Delta, United and American Airlines fall into this group. You can even go to http://www.e-miles.com and watch a quick commercial to earn points and reset your points clock. AirTran, Continental, Delta, Frontier, and US Airways all participate in e-miles. Some airlines will even reinstate miles for a fee. This may be a bad deal, however Delta will reinstate all of your miles, no matter how old, for $50.
• Rigid expiration. Some miles expire within 12 months, no exceptions. Southwest Airlines falls into this category. JetBlue used to have this policy, unless you had an American Express JetBlue card, which would help you extend your miles. But as of November 9, flying again with JetBlue will extend your points for another 12 months.
• Who knows? Some programs, particularly hotel ones, have language in their policies saying that they determine when your points expire, so you don’t know for sure. Some airlines, such as British Airways, says Petersen, are also confusing.
Do you think it's necessary to regulate airline frequent-flier mile programs? Comment below and let us know.—Chris Fichera
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