Hello Fellow Covers,

I just received a notice from US Airways that my 58,000+ miles were forfeited because of 18 months of "inactivity." These miles are now held "hostage" because if I take their (US Airways) credit card or fly with them within a certain time period, I will get my frequent flyer miles back.

What do you think? Is this an example of pi$$-poor Customer Service, or am I too picky...because actually, I was notified previously and forgot about it....

Any reactions?

Stijloor.

So, you've been an infrequent flyer with US Airways for 18 months now. Is that what you are saying? And US Airways is nudging you to fly more frequently with them again or loose all those 58,000 + miles. How dare they! :notme::bonk::lmao:

No, this is part of US Airways plan to get out of bankruptcy by reducing debt. Your miles are considered as part of the debt of the coproration. American Airlines has just announced a similar program.

Perhaps they assumed that if you were no longer flying with them, and weren't cashing in the points, that you placed no value on them.

There are other ways to "use" such points. See http://www.points.com

It's nothing more that what what said in the Godfather movies "it isn't personal, it's business".

Trust me, they're just eliminating an excess debt burden. Study business finance and read beyond QP and QD and you'll figure it out.

As for 58,000 miles get a couple a tickets and go somewhere.............my family and friends used over 300,000 of mine last year alone for travel. I build miles on the average of 14,000 to 18,000 a month on average so 58,000 is like between now and Sep or Oct.

Thats bad to hear :mg:

I have frequent flyer cards of Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific. They do not have such type of thing as "inactivity".

Besides, I get monthly statements notifying when the miles will be expiring. Try to speak to them - nothing wrong; if you get some benefit, that would be better for u :)

Frequent Flyer miles are actually carried as debt on the financials or accounts payable...each mile is equal to a specific amount of cash value. By reducing miles available that can be claimed an airline can reduce its outstanding debt. It's all on paper or electronic but very real. Just look at some of the Chapter 13 plans for the airlines and you'll see it.

I received the same thing right before last Christmas. All I had to do to keep things going until I flew again was sign up for the dining awards program (found on their website) and eat out once a month.

Hello Fellow Covers,

I just received a notice from US Airways that my 58,000+ miles were forfeited because of 18 months of "inactivity." These miles are now held "hostage" because if I take their (US Airways) credit card or fly with them within a certain time period, I will get my frequent flyer miles back.

What do you think? Is this an example of pi$$-poor Customer Service, or am I too picky...because actually, I was notified previously and forgot about it....

Any reactions?

Stijloor.

Happened to me too, but I lost <10% of what you lost...so I let it go:notme:. I don't recall getting informed, but then I don't review every e-mail I get from them in a timely fashion. I will say it's a different world out there travelling on business after an eight year layoff. My experience with us Airways (they aren't good enough to be affiliated with the United States) is that they have a horrible on-time record.:frust:

Hello Fellow Covers,

I just received a notice from US Airways that my 58,000+ miles were forfeited because of 18 months of "inactivity." These miles are now held "hostage" because if I take their (US Airways) credit card or fly with them within a certain time period, I will get my frequent flyer miles back.

What do you think? Is this an example of pi$$-poor Customer Service, or am I too picky...because actually, I was notified previously and forgot about it....

Any reactions?

Stijloor.

Hello Fellow Covers, read this.....

(I feel much better, now that I've made a contribution......)


US Airways ordering 92 Airbus planes
Deliveries of new aircraft to begin in 2009

LE BOURGET, France --US Airways announced plans today to buy 92 Airbus aircraft, a big boost for the European aircraft maker on the opening day of the world's largest air show.

The airline, which has its largest hub at Charlotte, said it has agreed on terms with Airbus for 60 single-aisle A320-family aircraft and 32 widebody aircraft, including the next generation A350 XWB.

Bloomberg News reported that the order called for 10 wide-body A330s and 22 long-range A350 XWB jets. Deliveries of the A320s would begin about 2010, the A330s in 2009 and the A350s in 2014.

The A320-family planes would replace 60 older aircraft in the airline's fleet.

Associated Press

Short term expense (investment) and long term potential ROI, not even consideration of depreciation and all that.

Well, happened to me as well. Decided to donate my miles to charity. I live outside USAIRWAYS service area, so I do not fly with them anymore because of that.

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Ja, zo gaat dat. Als je niet genoeg vliegt, dan verlies je de mijlen. Oranje boven.

Ja, zo gaat dat. Als je niet genoeg vliegt, dan verlies je de mijlen. Too bad you were not able to use them up yourself, but it was nice of you to donate them to charity. :agree1:

/Claes

Well, happened to me as well. Decided to donate my miles to charity. I live outside USAIRWAYS service area, so I do not fly with them anymore because of that.

----
Ja, zo gaat dat. Als je niet genoeg vliegt, dan verlies je de mijlen. Oranje boven.

Hello Kales Veggie,

US Airways lost my business long time ago...I used to fly a lot with them in the Eastern USA, but currently, I just drive. Takes me longer to get to places, but you know what? I got never get bumped, my trip always leaves on time, no cancellations, and above all...I can eat all the darn pretzels I want.

Stijloor.

P.S.

Oranje Boven? Als je het Oranje Elftal bedoelt, hoop ik dat ze het wat beter gaan doen. Ik herinner me nog steeds de begin 70er jaren toen Cruijff en Neeskens de toon aanvoerde.

Most airlines have clauses in their FF program agreements that include losing your miles if there is no activity on the account over a certain period. Note activity does not usually mean having to EARN miles only, spending works.

Someone already mentioned registering your credit card with rewards network https://usairways.rewardsnetwork.com/accountsetup.jsp?refId=RN. Any purchase at a participating restaurant will automatically send a few miles into your account and keep it active.

Magazines for miles will let you spend a few hundred miles to get a magazine subscription.

I'm not that familiar with US Airs program, but you should also be able to redeem your miles for flights on their partner airlines.

It is nice you donated them, but also be aware you can't get a tax deduction for them. I don't recall the actual IRS reasoning behind it, but I'm sure google can tell you if you need to find out.

Magazines for miles will let you spend a few hundred miles to get a magazine subscription.

I had accrued many miles that I used for my honeymoon to Rome a few years ago. For those that were left over, I got the same letter recently about my miles expiring, then another about getting magazine subscriptions. So we picked out a few. I'll probably regret getting the magazines when they eventually want money to continue them (which I won't).

This is the latest development from US Airways. I'm Platinum with Continental, I'll see if they follow suit.

Dividend Miles program changes
As part of our continuing efforts to provide valuable benefits to our frequent flyers, US Airways is making a change to our Dividend Miles program. We're making these changes to offset record fuel prices and rising airline related expenses while maintaining the benefits you've come to expect. Beginning May 1, 2008, Dividend Miles will award the actual number of miles flown rather than a minimum number of miles flown for each segment. Also, members who redeem miles for award travel within 14-days of departure on usairways.com will be assessed a quick ticketing fee.

Here's a summary of the policy changes:

Accrual
Tickets purchased on/after March 1, 2008 for travel on US Airways on/after May 1, 2008 will earn the actual number of miles flown and will no longer earn a minimum of 500 miles per segment.
Tickets flown on partner airlines after May 1, 2008 will earn the actual number of miles flown.
Tickets purchased prior to March 1, 2008 will continue to earn the 500 mile minimum for travel after May 1, 2008. Accrual on flight segments greater than 500 miles in length are not impacted by this change.

Redemption
Members redeeming miles for award travel online within 14-days of departure will be assessed a quick ticketing fee of $50 per ticket.
A quick ticketing fee of $75 per award ticket will continue to apply for award tickets purchased from US Airways Reservations. Chairman's and Platinum Preferred members booking within 14-days (both online and by phone) are exempt from the fee.

Dividend Miles members still get award travel for as low as 25,000 miles. And, we offer the most generous Preferred upgrade windows in the industry. Earn miles when you fly to any of our 230 destinations in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. You can also earn and redeem miles to the nearly 900 destinations served by the Star Alliance.

Thanks for continuing to fly with US.

This is the latest development from US Airways. I'm Platinum with Continental, I'll see if they follow suit.

Thanks for continuing to fly with US.

Should be changed to: "Thanks for continuing to get screwed by US Airways."

Stijloor.

Quit flying US Airways. I pay $10 for using my American miles for a ticket.

Quit flying US Airways. I pay $10 for using my American miles for a ticket.


They're the most dominant airline in Charlotte, NC (it's their hub), and I have been successful avoiding them. I do not fly all that much anymore anyway.

Stijloor.

...
It is nice you donated them, but also be aware you can't get a tax deduction for them. I don't recall the actual IRS reasoning behind it, but I'm sure google can tell you if you need to find out.

I read the IRS argues you have no cost basis in the miles, thus no deduction. I would argue that the "fair market value" should be considered, but they apparently don't agree.

Hello Kales Veggie,

US Airways lost my business long time ago...I used to fly a lot with them in the Eastern USA, but currently, I just drive. Takes me longer to get to places, but you know what? I got never get bumped, my trip always leaves on time, no cancellations, and above all...I can eat all the darn pretzels I want.

Stijloor.




I agree. US Air is a terrible airline! But, they hub in Charlotte, and that is important to some.

By the way, the expiration of inactive points is common. These are "frequent flyer" programs. If someone doesn't fly in a couple of years, they are hardly "frequent flyers."

They're the most dominant airline in Charlotte, NC (it's their hub), and I have been successful avoiding them. I do not fly all that much anymore anyway.

Stijloor.


I'll finish the month with about 9,000 miles flown. (All in the US)

I'll finish the month with about 9,000 miles flown. (All in the US)

Randy,

Now, that's a road warrior right there! :cool:

As an auditor and teacher, how do you maintain your sanity?
Airlines do not manage their processes very well.:nope:

Stijloor.

Randy,

Now, that's a road warrior right there! :cool:

As an auditor and teacher, how do you maintain your sanity?
Airlines do not manage their processes very well.:nope:

Stijloor.


For Randy, it's easy...he lives the life of leasure. He gets the best hotels, catered meals...concierge service...probably has a private butler to shine his shoes...just like in the old movies...

The rest of us stay at low priced chains, eat cheap food..(well, OK, we usually eat pretty darn well)...and, ah, what were we discussing...? :cool:

For Randy, it's easy...he lives the life of leasure. He gets the best hotels, catered meals...concierge service...probably has a private butler to shine his shoes...just like in the old movies...

The rest of us stay at low priced chains, eat cheap food..(well, OK, we usually eat pretty darn well)...and, ah, what were we discussing...? :cool:

Yep, catered meals...I had Jack-in-the-Box tonight and it was catered all the way to the counter.:lol: (Of course I am at a Hilton all this week, my rental has XM Radio, and last week I was on the Concierge level in Baltimore(shucks, not one here though). To tell the truth I get tired of Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bennigans, Macaroni Grill and other restaurants and just want a plain old burger, fries and coke.

Next week I have to suffer at another Hilton in Sacramento. It's a tough life, but someone has to do it.;)

Yep, catered meals...I had Jack-in-the-Box tonight and it was catered all the way to the counter.:lol: (Of course I am at a Hilton all this week, my rental has XM Radio, and last week I was on the Concierge level in Baltimore(shucks, not one here though). To tell the truth I get tired of Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bennigans, Macaroni Grill and other restaurants and just want a plain old burger, fries and coke.

Next week I have to suffer at another Hilton in Sacramento. It's a tough life, but someone has to do it.;)To tell the truth I get tired of Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bennigans, Macaroni Grill and other restaurants and just want a plain old burger, fries and coke.
Don't you eat at anything but chain restaurants? I guess it is because a road warrior like you has to be wary of "different" food which may result in the Cleveland or Naperville or Huntsville version of Montezuma's Revenge, huh?:notme:

To tell the truth I get tired of Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bennigans, Macaroni Grill and other restaurants and just want a plain old burger, fries and coke.
Don't you eat at anything but chain restaurants? I guess it is because a road warrior like you has to be wary of "different" food which may result in the Cleveland or Naperville or Huntsville version of Montezuma's Revenge, huh?:notme:

Not sure about Randy, but I enjoy visiting the non-chain local restaurants. Neat experiences and opportunities. (Clients and hotels usually give pretty good referrals.) Also buy food and eat/drink in my room a lot. More healthy and I can do work at the same time.

PS: Cleveland has a lot of great restaurants!:mad:

Not sure about Randy, but I enjoy visiting the non-chain local restaurants. Neat experiences and opportunities. (Clients and hotels usually give pretty good referrals.) Also buy food and eat/drink in my room a lot. More healthy and I can do work at the same time.

PS: Cleveland has a lot of great restaurants!:mad:

Years ago I had some friends ridicule me to the point that I broke free from my mold of eating at only the recognized chains, and I am so thankful for it today. Without making this break-away I would not have enjoyed oysters on the half-shell, lobster, Mahi-Mahi, Swordfish, Shark steaks, and a wonderful variety of Indian, Thai, and authentic Mexican foods.

Oh, I visit the non-chain places as well. I ate a a really nice mom & pop Tex-Mex this week. I picked it because the parking lots had no empty spaces and the locals ate there.

Oh, I visit the non-chain places as well. I ate a a really nice mom & pop Tex-Mex this week. I picked it because the parking lots had no empty spaces and the locals ate there.That's how you know--go where the locals go. Back in San Diego there was a small chain start up called Roberto's. They had more authentic Mexican fact food than Taco Bell. We till miss their breakfast burritos. Yum!

I avoid chain restaurants on the road and at home. I would much rather find a local place with something different, or at least a different atmosphere.

One exception is Jack In The Box - I love Monster Tacos and can't get them in MI. It is always a stop on my Vegas vacations.