Hang On to Airline Miles

Worried your frequent flier miles will expire before you can use them? If you're a not-so-frequent flier, you don't have to book a ticket to keep the miles: Just create other "activity" in your account. One way is to shop at an airline's online shopping mall.

See also: How to get the most from your airline reward.

Keep your airline miles from expiring. — Photo by Age fotostock; Getty Images

"Even if you merely buy a 99-cent iTune, you'll keep your miles safe for at least another year," says George Hobica of AirfareWatchdog.com.

Purchases with an airline-branded credit card can also keep miles alive. Or check your airline's website for dining programs in which you enroll an existing credit card to earn — and preserve — miles when you eat at participating restaurants.

Also of interest: Waving goodbye to travel rewards. >>

Sid Kirchheimer writes about consumer and health issues.