AA changing AAdvantage rules

"Because we value your participation in the AAdvantage program, we want to let you know about an upcoming program change. AAdvantage members now must have mileage earning or redemption activity once every 18 months in order to remain active and retain their miles. Effective December 15, 2007, mileage balances will expire from AAdvantage accounts that have not had miles either earned or redeemed within the previous eighteen (18) month period. This change will not impact you as long as you remain active in the AAdvantage program.

You can verify your last activity date by logging in to AA.com with your AAdvantage number and password. Click on "View All" in the "View My Miles" section. Just above the Mileage Summary, your last activity date is noted.

The chart below outlines how the last activity date determines the mileage expiration date:

Last Activity Date Mileage Expiration Date
January 1, 2000 - May 31, 2004 Expired
June 1, 2004 - June 15, 2006 Expiring December 15, 2007*
June 16, 2006 and Beyond Expiring 18 Months Later*

*Under new 18-month Mileage Retention policy "

My AAdvantage summary still shows "Miles with expiration deferred through 5/9/10". (I had activity on 5/9/07).

Are you sure they are doing this retroactively? Most airlines that made the change to 18 month expiration have done it for future earnings, not miles already earned. In fact, I still have a few AA miles with no expiration date from the original program.

I'm not doubting your info. Maybe they haven't updated the web site to show the new shorter expiration yet? Either way, thanks for posting this.

Summary Date: May 2007

...

Miles with No Expiration: x,xxx

Miles with Expiration Deferred Through 5/09/10: xx,xxx


-David

AA

I received the same email. Since I have an AA credit card, I think I'm okay.

nancy

David -

I think you will find that when January 2008 comes, if not earlier, your online account will show the 18-month expiration date for all of your AAdvantage miles. Until then, since the new limit isn't yet effective, you might still see the three-year limit.

UA has made the same change. My online UA account shows an expiration date of May 31, 2010. However, after December 31, 2007, the expiration date for all miles will be 18 months after the last activity in my account. To clarify, UA has added the following language to the page: "Please note that if your expiration date is after 12/31/07, your new expiration date will be 18 months after your last activity. Activity includes flying, redeeming miles, using your Mileage Plus Visa and more." Confusing? Yes.

US has also made the same change and it is already effective. No activity within 18 months? All miles will be forfeited. As with AA and UA, there is no exception for miles earned before the effective date of the new policy.