MILES NEVER EXPIRE ON... Alaska Airlines America West British Airways US Airways Northwest Airlines (as of March 1, 1999)

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From CNN Correspondent Lori Waffenschmidt

(CNN) -- Some frequent flyers will get a special holiday gift this year -- or at least they'll get to keep something they already had. Delta Air Lines has extended mileage expiration dates one year, to the end of 1999. And, as of March 1, 1999, Northwest miles will no longer expire.

"The world of expired miles is starting to change for a lot of frequent flyers out there," said Randy Petersen, editor and publisher of InsideFlyer magazine. "If you're traditionally worried about miles expiring... you're probably going to welcome this news."

Flying just once every three years on Delta means your miles will never expire. That's also true at TWA. Continental requires one flight every 18 months to keep your miles going, and miles never expire on Alaska Airlines, American West, British Airways and US Airways.

But other flyers need to keep a watchful eye on their miles.

United miles expire automatically unless you have 20,000 miles or more and you call the airline before midnight on New Year's Eve for an extension.

American Airlines miles will expire this year unless you take advantage of a partnership. "With the American and US Airways alliance, miles can be pooled so you can use miles from both accounts to claim an award on either airline," McGinnis said.

You can extend the life of any airline's frequent flyer miles: Convert miles into an award now, and the award is good for one year. Then, when you cash in the award, you have another year to travel on the ticket.