United Cracks Down on Frequent Flier Miles
United Airlines is joining a list of carriers placing limits on people who have frequent flier miles and aren’t using them.
The airline said last week that Mileage Plus frequent flyer accounts that have been inactive for the last 18 months would expire starting Dec. 31.
The move would impact customers who haven’t redeemed their miles or flown with the airline over the 18 months, the company said. Previously, United let its loyalty program accounts remain inactive for up to three years before they expired.
The company said its move to shorten the amount of time members can redeem a miles would make it easier for its loyal customers to redeem their miles because fewer people would compete for seats.
“The change makes our Mileage Plus program better for customers who are most loyal to United, reduces our operating costs and brings our program in line with major competitors,” said Dennis Cary, United’s senior vice president of marketing, in a statement.
Nearly 48 million people are enrolled in United’s loyalty program.
Mileage Plus members can earn additional miles by signing up for the Mileage Plus Visa credit or debit card, buying products or services from more than 100 partners, using miles for merchandise and hotels stays or transferring miles to another member or donating them to charitable causes.
