As the airlines are wanting to get those liabilities off their books...some 14.2 trillion airline miles are now in existence, at 2-cents value per mile that’s a $280 billion currency!

There was a hodgepodge of expiration policies until 1999, when most major carriers adopted a three-year rule. Then US Airways announced last fall that inactive frequent-flier mileage would expire in 18 months, down from 36. Delta set a 24-month clock. United and American Airlines then implemented an 18-month expiration.

It’s now estimated that upwards of 75% of airline miles are not redeemed. With the new policies that figure will climb...which certainly should be unacceptable.

Here’s the action(s) to take so you can hold on to your miles:

1)  Take a short, quick flight on the airline or one of its alliance partners.

2)  Redeem miles for a flight or another award such as a magazine subscription.

3)  Use a credit card that awards frequent-flier miles.

4)  Stay in a hotel that offers miles in the carrier’s programme.

5)  Send flowers through FTD.

In some programmes you earn miles to keep your account alive, but be sure to ask first.