My sister has about 100K FF and Sky miles. She has not flown in about 2 years and now has kids and does not expect to fly for several years. What should she do to avoid losing her miles? I recommended a SkyMiles American Express card. Any thoughts?

Clearly, 100K is a good bit of miles. Last I knew, DL Skymiles do not expire....PROVIDED..you fly on a DL flight at least once (1) every three years. I would check with Delta and see when that date is relevant to this account. I would suggest that she either 1) take a flight to maintain the status of her Skymiles such that she fall under the once every 3 year proviso..or..2) Have her give them to you or someone, so they get used if she is not able to fly. I believe in the absence of either of these that she will be notified in a letter at some point..that effective such and such a date the Skymiles in this account will be vacated and expired. Just getting a DL Amex will do nothing to preserve these miles, although it will allow her to get some while she is not flying.

Actually, I believe any partner activity within 3 years will keep your skymiles account current. That includes skymiles dining, miles from hotel stays, and of course, the Delta Amex. I don't advocate obtaining credit when credit is not needed, but the Delta Amex is one of many ways for her to keep those miles alive. (If she uses it at least once every three years, that is).

I managed to extend about 90k miles for my uncle by signing him up for MYOB Travel on December 31. The miles didn't post until January 20, but Delta graciously re-instated the miles anyway based on the December registration date. That might be an option.

I believe that biometrist is right. Any partner activity will suffice. Just find any offer that will give you a minimal number of miles (see multiple threads -- car insurance quotes, FTD.com, etc.).

The following info from delta.com should answer your Q:

Account and Mileage Expiration
Accounts with no activity for 12 consecutive months after enrollment will be deleted. Should future activity occur, a new SkyMiles number can be obtained by contacting Delta.
Miles will not expire as long as you participate in one of the following activities every three years:

Travel on a qualifying Delta, Delta Connection, Delta Express or Delta Shuttle flight.
Participate in the SkyMiles program with one of the SkyMiles program partners, including airline partners, hotels, car rentals, American Express/SkyMiles Credit Card, credit card partner or any other program partner such as cruise lines, restaurants, mortgage lenders, real estate and telephone services.
Redeem your miles for a SkyMiles Award.

http://www.delta.com/skymiles/member..._reg/index.jsp

Is there a way for her to tranfer the miles to me? I was under the impression this was not allowed and the best she could do is redeem a reward and have it transferred to me.

Hi Russ,

I was looking for you this morning! I hope you got my message.

Bruce

I don't believe there is any way to transfer miles short of the person dying and the miles being willed to someone else. Transferrring of an award is certainly permitted though.

Jeff

If I am reading the DL Skymiles rules correctly, if you redeem any mileage with a Delta Skymiles partner you reset the 3 year expiration date. If that is the case, I suggest using Milepoint.com to redeem miles for a magazine subscription. I believe some start at 400 miles. This should extend the remaining miles for 3 more years.

They could "gift" the miles to me.....It <i>could</i> be mutually beneficial. Email me

I am trying to get her to "gift" them to me. I didn't think this was permitted. As I understand the rules, she can redeem the miles for an award and has to put it in my name at the time of redemption.

Delta does not allow the transfer of mileage between passengers, and you can't send them to another airline once they've been accrued.
As stated in the previous post, the account holder can use award mileage for a ticket for another person.

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**I do not represent Delta Air Lines. Please check any and all answers for accuracy with [email protected]

Transfer some miles to HHilton HHonors Points. That will extend the Delta Miles.

Mine were going to espire in 2003, I used my Delta card for a partner and the expiration date changed to 2004

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"A Southwest line never gets longer, It only gets wider"

[This message has been edited by dcwcce (edited 02-26-2002).]