Do credit card rewards, points, and miles have an expiration date?

This series on credit cards, points, miles, and travel budgeting is presented in collaboration with The Points Guy.

Advertiser Disclosure: This article includes links to products from our advertisers. We may earn a commission when you click on those links. Terms apply to the offers mentioned here. This relationship may influence how and where links are displayed on this site. Not all financial companies or available financial offers are included. All information regarding Alaska Airlines Visa cards, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, United Club℠ Business Card, various Citi cards, Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®, American Express® Green Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, the World of Hyatt Credit Card, the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card has been independently gathered by Dinogo Planet. These cards cannot be obtained through Dinogo Planet.Terms apply for American Express benefits and offers, and enrollment may be necessary for certain benefits. For more details, visit americanexpress.com.

Discovering that your valuable hotel points or airline miles have expired can be disheartening, especially after saving them for a long time. Fortunately, you can take proactive measures such as understanding expiration rules, utilizing apps or websites to monitor your points and miles, and keeping your accounts active to prevent this unfortunate situation.

The rules regarding expiration largely depend on the type of rewards you hold. For example, credit card rewards points will not expire as long as your account is active, while the policies for airline and hotel loyalty programs can vary significantly.

For many rewards programs, inactivity on your account for a specific duration can lead to expiration, although there are some exceptions. To keep your account active, consider activities like using a co-branded credit card, redeeming rewards, achieving elite status, or booking flights or hotel stays.

Here’s everything you need to know about the expiration of credit card rewards, hotel points, and airline miles.

Getting started with travel points and airline miles

Do credit card rewards expire?

Your credit card rewards remain valid as long as your account is active and in good standing; however, be cautious. If you choose to close your account, any unused points will be lost, so remember to transfer or redeem them beforehand.

Here’s how four leading flexible rewards programs deal with expiring points, along with some redemption options and co-branded credit cards that offer attractive welcome bonuses to kickstart your journey.

Top travel credit cards

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards is among the top loyalty programs available, allowing you to earn points as long as you use an affiliated card. For maximum value, transfer your points to one of Chase's 14 travel partners at a 1:1 ratio when it’s time to redeem them.

If you're in a hurry, you can book flights, hotels, rental cars, or tours through the Chase Travel℠ portal, where points are worth 1.25 cents each with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, and 1.5 cents each with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Alternatively, points can be used to offset certain purchases via Chase’s Pay Yourself Back feature, to book VIP seating at events, or to pay for items at Amazon and the Apple Store, including gift cards.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Receive 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. This equates to $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, translating to $900 towards travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Get 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. This means $900 cash back or $1,125 towards travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

Your Guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards: One of the finest loyalty programs available

American Express Membership Rewards

Your Membership Rewards points remain valid as long as your account is active, but failing to make a payment could result in losing newly earned rewards.

If you notice missing points, reach out to customer service to have them reinstated after you settle your bill. The reinstatement fee is $35 per billing period, and you must do this within 12 months, making it worthwhile to save any points you might otherwise forfeit.

Should American Express close your account due to inactivity, you’ll have 90 days to either transfer or redeem your points before they expire. If you're thinking about closing it yourself, ensure you redeem your points through the Membership Rewards portal or transfer them to a travel partner first.

The Membership Rewards program partners with 21 airlines and hotels, including British Airways Executive Club, Delta SkyMiles, JetBlue TrueBlue, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and Choice Privileges. You can also redeem points for items from Apple and Amazon, Airbnb gift cards, or to offset recent charges.

• American Express® Green Card*: Receive 40,000 points after spending $3,000 within the first six months of account activation.

• American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after making $6,000 in eligible purchases with your new Card in the first 6 months. Additionally, enjoy 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases worldwide in the first 6 months, up to $100. This limited-time offer ends on 11/6/24.

• American Express® Business Gold Card: Acquire 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of using the Business Gold Card.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Get 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first six months of account opening.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express*: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases with the Card within the first 3 months.

Comparing American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards

Capital One Rewards

Capital One Miles will not expire as long as your account remains active. With both the Capital One Venture and Capital One Venture X cards, you can earn unlimited rewards on your purchases, maximizing your miles by booking hotels, rental cars, and flights directly through Capital One Travel.

When it’s time to redeem, you can select from 15 travel partners, including Air Canada Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Choice Privileges, Wyndham Rewards, and Accor Live Limitless.

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Receive 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 in the first three months of your account.

Capital One Venture X review: a fantastic credit card for travel lovers

Citi ThankYou Rewards

This loyalty program stands out as some of its co-branded cards impose expiration dates. The specific terms and conditions vary by card, so check the list to determine if you're facing three years, five years, or no expiration at all.

Generally, maintaining an active account allows you to keep your points options open — even if your account is closed, you'll have 60 days to redeem your points.

ThankYou Points can be transferred to any of Citi’s 18 travel partners, such as Air France/KLM Flying Blue, JetBlue TrueBlue, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Accor Live Limitless, Choice Privileges, and Wyndham Rewards. Alternatively, you can redeem them for gift cards, flights, and hotels through Citi Travel, as well as for statement credits, cash-back rewards, or online purchases via Citi’s extensive shopping partners.

• Citi Premier® Card: Receive 60,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.

Should you choose to book travel with cash or points?

Other credit card rewards programs

Bilt Rewards, Bank of America Travel Rewards, Wells Fargo Rewards, Discover Rewards, and Barclays Arrival Miles all maintain the same policy, ensuring your points and miles remain valid as long as your account is active. An exception exists for U.S. Bank FlexPerks cards, which expire five years after the quarter in which they were earned.

How to leverage points and miles for travel savings

Hotel Points

Unlike credit card rewards, hotel points typically expire, with Best Western Rewards being the exception. Generally, you have a window of 12 to 24 months, and you can keep your account active by utilizing a co-branded hotel credit card or by earning, redeeming, or purchasing points before the expiration date.

Top travel credit cards for hotel stays

Marriott Bonvoy

To prevent your Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring after 24 months, you need to keep your account active by earning, redeeming, or purchasing points during that period.

Unlike many other hotel rewards programs, transferring points to a friend or receiving them as a gift doesn’t count as account activity. However, transferring points to or from any of Marriott Bonvoy’s 35 airline partners does. Additionally, your points will never expire as long as you maintain elite status.

• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Earn 60,000 Bonus Points plus 1 Free Night Award after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. The Free Night is valued at 50,000 points, with certain hotels charging resort fees.

• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of opening your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card.

• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: Earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after making $5,000 in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of membership.

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after using your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of membership.

10 amazing branded hotels with a boutique feel

Hilton Honors

If you’re not actively earning or using Hilton Honors points, they will expire after 24 months. To keep your points active, consider booking more stays (using either points or cash) or using a Hilton co-branded credit card.

• Hilton Honors American Express Card: Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 on purchases with the Card in the first 6 months of membership. Offer expires on 1/8/2025.

• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of membership on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. Offer expires on 1/8/2025.

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first 6 months of membership on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

10 fantastic US hotels you can book using points

World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt points will become inactive if your account shows no activity for 24 months and cannot be restored. Keep your account active by booking nights at Hyatt or MGM Rewards locations globally, using a co-branded credit card, redeeming points for complimentary stays, dining, spa services, room upgrades, or car rentals through Avis, or by purchasing or gifting points.

• World of Hyatt Credit Card: Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Receive 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account. Additionally, earn up to 30,000 more Bonus Points by getting 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent on purchases that typically earn 1 Bonus Point, for up to $15,000 spent in the first 6 months.

• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Earn 60,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn an additional 15,000 Bonus Points after spending $12,000 in the first 6 months.

Top credit cards for adventure travel

IHG One Rewards

If you hold elite status, your IHG One Rewards points will not expire. For everyone else, including those who temporarily hold elite status and revert to Club level, there’s a 12-month window to engage in activities to keep their account active.

With the convenient Points & Cash feature, you can save on costs when booking stays by using a combination of points and cash. You can also donate points, shop online through IHG’s portal, or transfer them to friends or any of the 41 partner airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Earn 80,000 Bonus Points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

• IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

Using points and miles for travel in Europe

Other hotel loyalty programs

If you don’t keep your account active, Choice Privileges points will lapse after 18 months, Accor Live Limitless gives you a 12-month window, and Radisson Rewards offers a 24-month period. Wyndham Rewards stands out, allowing points to expire four years after check-out or after 18 months of inactivity.

Top travel credit cards for food enthusiasts

Airline Miles

Similar to hotel points, most airline miles eventually expire, with varying timeframes depending on the airline. For example, ANA (All Nippon Airways) Mileage Club miles expire after 36 months without exception, while United MileagePlus, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles, JetBlue TrueBlue, Delta SkyMiles, and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles never expire.

You can maintain your account by earning elite status, redeeming miles for award flights, and using co-branded credit cards. Visit the loyalty program websites of your preferred airlines to check their specific expiration policies. Here, we highlight five major US airlines.

Top credit cards for Global Entry

American AAdvantage

To avoid expiration of your miles after 24 months, keep your account active—unless you have certain AAdvantage co-branded cards or are under 21 years old.

Regardless of circumstances, American Airlines allows you to reinstate up to 500,000 AAdvantage miles by completing a single transaction within 24 months of their expiration. As long as you continue to earn or redeem miles every 24 months afterward, your miles will remain secure.

• Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: Earn 60,000 miles after your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee within 90 days of account opening.

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®: Receive 50,000 miles after spending $2,500 in the first three months from account opening.

• CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®: Earn 65,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first four months from account opening.

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive Mastercard®: Get 70,000 miles after spending $7,000 in the first three months from account opening.

Comparing TSA PreCheck and Clear: which option best speeds up your travel

United MileagePlus

United miles do not expire, making them a highly valuable rewards currency. If you're not using them for United flights, explore their extensive list of Star Alliance partners to discover optimal redemption options to sought-after destinations like New Zealand or Hawaii.

• United Gateway℠ Card: Receive 20,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Also, enjoy 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases. Learn more.

• United℠ Explorer Card: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

• United Quest℠ Card: Get 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

• United Club℠ Infinite Card: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

• United℠ Business Card: Receive 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

• United Club℠ Business Card: Earn 50,000 miles after spending $5,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Using points and miles for a trip to Hawaii

Delta SkyMiles

With Delta SkyMiles, you never need to worry about expiration, and you can use them to travel with a variety of SkyTeam airline partners to distant destinations like Australia.

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership.

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months. Offer Ends 10/23/24.

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months.

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months. Offer Ends 10/23/24.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Earn 110,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in the first 6 months. Offer Ends 10/23/24.

Traveling to Spain with points and miles

Southwest Rapid Rewards

For domestic award redemptions, Southwest Rapid Rewards points are invaluable, offering numerous flight options across North and Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The best part? Your points will never expire.

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Receive 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: Get 60,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: Earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.

Traveling to Greece with points and miles

Alaska MileagePlan

Your miles will remain valid indefinitely, but Alaska Airlines may lock your account if there is no activity for two years. If this happens, you can simply call customer service to unlock your account and reactivate your miles.

• Alaska Airlines Visa® Signature card: Receive 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days of account opening — plus Alaska’s $99 Companion Fare each year after you spend $6,000.

• Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Card: Earn 50,000 miles and Alaska’s $99 Companion Fare after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.

How to gain exclusive benefits at global events and concerts using your credit card

Tracking your points and miles effectively

Create a free account with AwardWallet to manage your earned points and miles across nearly 700 loyalty programs. It’s an excellent tool to monitor upcoming expiration dates as well.

Make it a routine to periodically check your preferred loyalty programs to ensure that all your flights and hotel stays are reflected in your account, allowing you to address any discrepancies or recover missing rewards.

The top credit cards for access to airport lounges

Ways to maintain your account activity

Using your travel credit card or a co-branded card linked to your favorite loyalty program is the simplest method to keep your account active. Additionally, booking more flights or accommodations will help you earn even more rewards, or you can redeem them for your next trip.

Alternatively, check if your loyalty program offers an online shopping portal or dining rewards, or if you can participate in surveys, donate, purchase points and miles, or transfer them to an airline or hotel partner.

If you’re low on points for significant travel, consider redeeming your rewards for merchandise or gift cards, or see if you can use them for recent purchases or cash back.

Pro tip: Instead of returning an item bought with a rewards-earning credit card, explore the option of exchanging it or opting for store credit, as returning would forfeit the rewards points earned.

Top credit cards for road trips

How to recover expired points and miles

As mentioned earlier in the sections on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, some loyalty programs offer a grace period for expired rewards, although you may need to pay a fee to reactivate them.

For example, Frontier Airlines allows you to restore your miles by paying a fee that ranges from $50 to $500 based on the number of miles that have expired.

Emirates allows for the reinstatement of up to 50,000 miles each year if they expired within the last six months, charging $20 for every 1,000 miles. Additionally, if you have miles set to expire in the next 90 days, you can extend that expiration date for up to a year by paying the same fee.

Using points and miles to travel to Japan

Conclusion

Ensure your valuable points and miles don’t go unused. By regularly monitoring your accounts—either manually or through a service like AwardWallet—you can maintain active rewards accounts and leverage points and miles to reduce costs on future travels.

* Card eligibility and benefit levels vary. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. For further information, please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

The details for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card were independently gathered by Dinogo Planet. The information on this page has not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

Editorial note: The views expressed here belong solely to the author and do not reflect the opinions of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of these organizations.