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How Should I Use Leftover Miles from an Airline I Never Fly?

March 13, 2016
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3 min read
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How Should I Use Leftover Miles from an Airline I Never Fly?
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TPG reader Frank sent me a message on Facebook looking for advice on what to do with miles he doesn't plan to use:

“I have about 4,700 Delta miles and 3,800 American miles, but I only ever fly United or JetBlue. I was told my miles will expire in the next few months. What should I do with them?”

My loyalty account balances go up and down, and I typically earn rewards in my favorite programs at roughly the same rate as I redeem them. However, I sometimes end up with just a handful of points or miles in a program I rarely use, and while I might not have an immediate plan for them, I try not to let them go to waste. Learning how to use those small balances will help you maximize your travel in the long run.

For starters, it's important to know the program rules. While I'm often critical of the SkyMiles program for other reasons, Delta deserves credit for having one of the most friendly expiration policies of any airline. Barring deactivation or closure of your account, SkyMiles never expire, so you don't have to worry about losing them. On the other hand, AAdvantage miles do expire if your account is inactive for 18 months.

If you're confident you'll never earn enough miles to redeem for flight or upgrade awards, then you have a few options. You can donate to charities like Kids in Need or the American Red Cross — this is convenient because you can contribute odd amounts (starting at 1,000 miles), so you won't have to leave any rewards behind. Another possibility is to redeem miles for magazines, which can actually provide a decent value depending on the publication.

Aside from that, you can buy gift cards through Points.com or shop through the SkyMiles Marketplace, though you'll get a terrible exchange rate in either case. I don't recommend those options, but if you just want to cash out, they're better than nothing.

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SkyMiles might be worth less than many other airline currencies, but at least they don't expire.

Personally, I don't think you need to liquidate those rewards. There are plenty of ways to keep miles from expiring, and you never know when they may come in handy down the line. Even if you prefer other airlines like United and JetBlue at the moment, circumstances change (along with frequent flyer programs), and it's not hard to imagine a scenario where your loyalty shifts to another carrier.

Just make sure to log some activity in your AAdvantage account before the expiration date; earning even a few miles from a small purchase made through an online shopping portal will do the trick. If your miles don't post in time, you can always pay to reinstate expired rewards, but I generally wouldn't recommend it for small balances.

If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.