Success story. Had 103,000 Southwest RR points. They expired in September. I called two days after expiry to get them reactivated and was turned down. I asked for manager and then their manger, all the way up to the corporate office where the answer was the same "no way to reinstate the points". I came across Dan's article about rental car idea and remembered I rented a car with Budget in Atlanta airport back in August. As Budget in Atlanta is a private licensee, only they can get me the miles, Budget 800 number could not help me. While getting someone on the phone in that location was no easy task, I am happy to report I now have 103,000 and change RR points in my account with an expiration date of 08/2018!