But as
consumers can earn miles in more and more ways, the number of miles accumulated each year has vastly outpaced the number redeemed, an imbalance many airlines are now being forced to address. One way
that carriers are trying to reduce the mileage backlog is by adopting stricter expiration policies. Miles now typically expire after 18 months or two years of account inactivity, instead of three
years.
Airlines are also offering more ways for members to use their miles, like bidding for things like Broadway tickets at online auctions, trading miles for merchandise or using a
combination of cash and miles for air travel.
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