United Airlines will zero out frequent fliers’ miles if they don’t use their mileage accounts for 18 months, the company announced Friday.
United has nearly 48 million Mileage Plus frequent-flier program members.
According to United, the change will allow “United’s most loyal customers” to compete with fewer people for award seats, making it easier for them to redeem their miles.
It also reduces the company’s operating costs as United continues to try to operate more efficiently. The change “brings our program in line with major competitors,” said United’s senior vice president of marketing, Dennis Cary, in a written statement.
If customers have not used their United Mileage Plus frequent-flier accounts since July 1, 2006, their miles will expire Dec. 31. United is shortening the amount of time a Mileage Plus account can remain inactive to 18 months from three years.
To keep accounts active, customers must either fly on United or one of its airline partners, use or sign up for a Mileage Plus Visa credit or debit card, buy from United’s travel and retail partners, use their miles, transfer miles or donate miles.
United recommended that its customers go to united.com and update their Mileage Plus account information to get additional details.
Staff writer Kelly Yamanouchi can be reached at 303-954-1488 or kyamanouchi@denverpost.com.
