I really dislike this airline policy

[Thrift Store Scott]

davester wrote:
Frankly, I find this complaint a bit over the top. These are marketing programs designed to reward FREQUENT fliers and build loyalty. They are not aimed at people who don't fly often. That said, and as noted in the OP, there are easy and cheap ways to keep your miles from expiring. There are a ton of websites out there dedicated to informing you of how to do this. It's as easy as buying a single iTunes song through the airlines shopping site every 18 months. If you can't be bothered to do something simple like this once every year or so, then I don't see how you can complain that an airline that you are not using lets your miles expire.

Oh, one more thing...if it hasn't been too long you can sometimes call up the airline and ask them to reinstate your miles for either a small fee or some other token effort on your part.

Agreed.

OWC Larry wrote:
Most of these programs let you save your miles with any kind of activity that would generate more miles.... If you have an awards credit card that generates miles, for most of the programs - activity via that avenue keeps your miles safe. Is frustrating.

Also agreed. There's nothing wrong with having and maintaining a frequent flyer program awards credit card. Each purchase gets you airline miles and resets the expiration date on your current airline miles hoard, plus you get other perks with the airline by using their card when you do book travel.