Ask Randy: What will happen to frequent-flier miles in the Delta-Northwest merger?

— -- These are tumultuous times for frequent fliers, as struggling airlines continue to add new fees and restrictions to their loyalty programs. So we've invited frequent-flier expert Randy Petersen to take your queries and offer advice on how to make the most of your miles. Join him in his ongoing forum to post one of your own or help answer a question from a fellow reader.

So far every regulatory agency and even the shareholders of these two airlines have signed off on the Delta-Northwest merger, and it is expected the last approval necessary — the Department of Justice — will not see anything that hasn't already been addressed. So, with this much work done so far, it is likely that it will happen by the end of the year and since I've seen some comments by a few "travel experts" who seem to think the sky will fall in, I thought I'd save you from that misinformation and give you a recap of these two frequent-flier programs and some viewpoints which we'll update as we get closer.

FIRST RULE — YOU WILL NOT LOSE ANY OF YOUR FREQUENT-FLIER MILES IN THIS MERGER, WHETHER DELTA OR NORTHWEST. So, take a deep breath and read on.

Since 2003, these two airlines have shared a partnership in not only a domestic alliance of their two programs, but an international alliance as well in SkyTeam. Philosophically, SkyMiles has changed more over the years than WorldPerks, with WorldPerks having long been seen as lenient on upgrades and offering other imaginative promotional efforts. So let's compare these two programs.

There will be some change, but let's be clear, these two airlines already share 95% or so of their frequent-flier programs so there really won't be much change for you to worry about, but just in case, let's read about the differences:

Expiration of miles

For SkyMiles members, accounts with no activity for 12 consecutive months after enrollment will be deleted and after that period, miles will expire after 24 months unless there is some activity in the account, including earning miles not only from Delta flights but from earning miles with program partners, redeeming miles for an award or buying miles from Delta.

WorldPerks rules for expiring miles are a bit more murky, though more positive: WorldPerks miles have no expiration date. However, consistent with the general terms and conditions of the WorldPerks program, Northwest Airlines reserves the right to change the WorldPerks program at any time without notice, including imposition of expiration limits or reactivation fees. If a WorldPerks member's account does not have any mileage-earning or redemption activity within three consecutive years, the account is subject to termination, including forfeiture of all accrued mileage. See what I mean by "murky"?

Bottom line: Should this merger come to pass I believe that the combined program will include the language that governs the SkyMiles program. Not a real loss to WorldPerks members, and melting WorldPerks miles into a SkyMiles account will count as activity so everyone who has the two types of miles can be guaranteed at least two years before the mileage police come knocking at your door.

Fees

While I find it unfortunate that this part of frequent-flier programs is even an issue, it is a reality that the convenience of redemption is not a free ride.