Have you ever logged into your frequent flyer account only to realize your hard-earned air miles have disappeared? Air miles are a perk for frequent travelers, offering free flights, upgrades, and even special rewards. But they don’t always last forever. Airlines have expiration rules in place, and if you’re not paying attention, those valuable points could vanish. This guide will walk you through why air miles points expiry happens, how different airlines handle expiration, and, most importantly, how to keep your points from expiring so you can get the most out of them.
Key Takeaways
- Airline miles can expire if there’s no activity, but rules vary by airline. Some airlines like Delta and United don’t let miles expire.
- Hotel points also have expiration rules. For example, Marriott Bonvoy points need account activity every 24 months to stay active.
- Credit card rewards like American Express Membership Rewards don’t expire, giving more freedom in using them.
- You can keep air miles and points from expiring by booking flights or stays, dining out, shopping through partner portals, transferring points between programs, or donating to charity.
- If your miles or points do expire, you might be able to get them back. This often involves contacting customer service and may require a fee.
Why Air Miles Points Expiry Happens
Air miles, while a valuable reward for frequent travelers, are subject to expiration policies that serve specific purposes for airlines. Air miles are treated as liabilities on an airline’s balance sheet until they are redeemed. This is because each mile represents a potential future service (such as a flight or upgrade) that the airline must provide.
If an airline accumulates billions of unredeemed miles, it reflects as a financial obligation, impacting their profitability and financial health. Expiration policies motivate customers to remain active in loyalty programs by earning or redeeming miles.
If you haven’t earned or redeemed miles for 18 months, your account might be flagged, and miles could be forfeited. Expired miles represent missed opportunities for free flights, upgrades, or other rewards. Different airlines have varying rules regarding the expiration of miles, so it’s important to stay informed about your specific program’s guidelines.
Domestic Airlines
| Airline | Miles Expiration Policy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan | Miles do not expire | Accounts close after 2 years of no activity. You can reactivate them. |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | Miles expire after 24 months of no activity | Exemptions for travelers under 21 and primary credit card holders. |
| Delta SkyMiles | Miles do not expire | |
| Frontier Miles | Expire in 12 months without earning activity | Using the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® yearly extends mileage life. |
| Spirit Airlines Free Spirit | Points expire in 12 months without earning or redeeming activity | Extended by using the Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard®. |
| United MileagePlus | Miles do not expire |
International Airlines
| Airline | Expiration Policy |
|---|---|
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Points vanish after 18 months without use. |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | Miles fade away after 2 years unless you’re Silver, Gold, or Platinum. |
| ANA Mileage Club | Miles are gone 36 months after you get them. |
| British Airways Avios | Disappear after 36 months of no activity. |
| Emirates Skywards | They expire 3 years after earning, on your birthday’s last day. |
| Qatar Airways Avios | Gone 36 months after earning. |
Hotel Points Expiry Policies
When considering hotel points, staying aware of their expiry policies is vital for maximizing your rewards. Various hotel loyalty programs have different rules concerning the expiration of points.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy is a hotel loyalty program. If you travel often, joining this can be a smart move. Your points here do not expire as long as your account shows activity every 24 months. This means doing things like staying at hotels or using their credit card for purchases keeps your points safe. For people who reach Lifetime Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, their points never go away.
Keeping track of your stays and using the Marriott co-branded credit card are good ways to stop your points from expiring. These steps make sure you get free nights at hotels in the future without losing what you’ve earned so far.
Hilton Honors
Hilton Honors has a rule for their points. These points don’t expire as long as you keep your account active every 24 months. You can do simple things to stay active. Like booking a hotel stay or buying something through their shopping portal, it all counts. This means you don’t lose points if you plan wisely. For elite members in Hilton Honors, the deal is even better. Their points follow different rules which can be more forgiving.
Simply using your Hilton credit card or staying at one of their hotels can be enough to keep everything in good standing. So, keeping track of activities and knowing these policies helps save your hard-earned points from vanishing.
IHG One Rewards
IHG One Rewards is all about giving travelers like you perks and points that don’t rush you to use them. If you hold the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, your points won’t expire as long as your account stays open. That’s right, no more watching those hard-earned points disappear because of rules that are hard to keep up with. This program keeps it simple for frequent guests by making sure their loyalty pays off in ways that really matter—like more nights at hotels and chances to earn even when not traveling.
Wyndham Rewards
Wyndham Rewards is a hotel loyalty program. It lets you earn points when you stay at their hotels. You can use these points for free nights or other rewards. The good news is, your points do not expire as long as there’s activity in your account once every 18 months. This means you just need to stay at a Wyndham hotel or earn some points by using their partners within this time. For elite members, the rules are even better. They often get more time before their points expire.
World of Hyatt
Maintaining your hotel loyalty points is straightforward with World of Hyatt. Should you be a World of Hyatt Credit Card holder, good news awaits, as it provides an introductory offer of 60,000 bonus points. This card proves beneficial for travel enthusiasts such as yourself, turning every stay meaningful. Preventing your points from expiration is also a breeze. All it requires is a qualifying action in your account once every two years. This might involve a stay at a Hyatt hotel or use of your credit card.
Do Credit Card Rewards Points Expire?
Yes, credit card rewards points can expire. It’s important to be aware of the expiration policies for your specific credit card reward program as they can differ between issuers and programs. Maintaining regular activity such as redeeming points or miles is often a key factor in preventing expiration.
American Express Membership Rewards
American Express Membership Rewards do not expire, giving you flexibility in redeeming them for various travel rewards. You can use these points to book flights and hotels or even explore other options like gift cards and cash back. The program offers a wide range of redemption options, allowing you to make the most of your earned rewards. You have the freedom to use your American Express Membership Rewards without worrying about expiration dates, making it easier for you to plan and enjoy your travels.
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards represent a credit card rewards program, celebrated for its adaptability and worth. The points you accumulate via this program remain valid without an expiration date, provided your account stays active. You can convert these points to numerous airline and hotel partners, enhancing their value when reserving flights or accommodations. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is an illustration of a credit card that acquires Ultimate Rewards points.
Once you amass a substantial number of points, you have a variety of redemption choices, including travel reservations, cash back, gift cards, or shopping at designated retailers. Furthermore, if you possess multiple credit cards that offer Ultimate Rewards from Chase Bank (such as the Freedom Flex or Freedom Unlimited), pooling all your points into a single account can further amplify their potential worth.
To continue accumulating extra Ultimate Rewards points without increasing your expenses, take advantage of exclusive promotions on the Chase website, and also keep an eye out for rotating bonus categories that change every quarter on specific cards like the Chase Freedom Flex®.
Policies for Other Credit Card Reward Programs
Credit card reward programs have different policies for how long points or miles last. Here is what you need to know about them:
- Discover Rewards: Points do not expire with this program, giving you flexibility in using them.
- Bank of America Travel Rewards: Your points won’t expire, offering peace of mind when collecting rewards.
- Capital One Miles: These miles don’t come with an expiration date, letting you plan your redemptions at your pace.
- Wells Fargo Rewards: No need to worry about points expiring as they remain valid until you’re ready to use them.
- Citi ThankYou Points: Points expire three years after earning or within 90 days for shared points, so make sure to keep track of their validity
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How to Keep Your Miles and Points From Expiring
Losing your miles or points because of expiration can be frustrating, but the good news is that it’s often preventable. Here are practical strategies to ensure your hard-earned rewards stay active and ready for use.
Book Flights or Stays
Booking flights or stays preserves your miles and points, preventing them from expiring. This straightforward action sustains account activity in line with airline and hotel policies. It’s a simple method to safeguard your rewards from expiration while maximizing their value. Ensuring your account remains active is crucial for maintaining the worth of your accumulated points or air miles.
Always recall that simply booking a flight or a stay can significantly impact your ability to hold onto your well-earned rewards. Stay proactive by tracking expiration dates
Shop Through Partner Portals and Use Dining Rewards Programs
When you shop through partner portals, you can earn points or miles for your airline or hotel loyalty programs. It’s an easy way to keep your account active and ensure that your points or miles don’t expire. Use co-branded cards to maintain activity.
Partner portals with popular retailers allow you to make purchases – from clothing to electronics – while earning rewards for your travel accounts. This helps in maintaining the activity of your accounts and ensures your hard-earned rewards stay valid without having to fly or stay at hotels frequently.
Join dining rewards programs with over 10,000 participating restaurants. Earn points or miles through dining activities. This helps keep account activity ongoing. Prevent losing free travel opportunities by keeping rewards active
Transfer Points Between Programs
You have the option to transfer points from one loyalty program to another. This can help you keep your miles or points active, preventing them from expiring due to account inactivity. Transferring points also offers flexibility in maintaining activity across various programs.
When considering transferring points between programs, it’s important to check if there are any fees or limitations associated with the process. Some credit card reward programs allow for easy point transfers to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs, giving you more options for keeping your rewards active and accessible when you need them most.
Donate to Charity
Donating your air miles or credit card points to charity can help prevent them from expiring. It’s a simple way to keep your account active while also making a positive impact. Most programs require a minimum donation of 1,000 points or miles, but the requirement varies depending on the airline or credit card reward program you’re using.
So before your hard-earned rewards go unused, consider directing them towards a good cause. When donating to charity, keep in mind that you are not just preventing expiration—you’re also supporting organizations and causes that make a difference in the world.
How to Reinstate Expired Points and Miles
You can revive expired points and miles to keep them from expiring. Here’s how:
- Contact the airline or hotel loyalty program customer service to inquire about reactivating your dormant account.
- Consider paying a fee for reinstatement
- For accounts inactive for over two years, reach out to customer service at programs like Alaska Mileage Plan to discuss reactivation options.
- Keep in mind that each program has different reinstatement policies and costs associated with reviving expired points and miles.
- Act promptly when you notice your points are about to expire, as some programs may have limitations on when and how you can reinstate them.
- Explore various methods offered by the loyalty programs to extend the life of your points and miles rather than letting them expire unused
Final Thoughts
Managing your air miles and reward points effectively can unlock amazing travel perks, but staying proactive is key. Expiration policies are designed to keep programs viable for airlines and hotels, but they can also lead to frustration for travelers. To ensure your hard-earned miles and points don’t vanish, engage in regular activity like booking flights, shopping through partner portals, or even donating miles to charity. With a little planning and awareness, you can maximize your rewards and enjoy the full benefits of your loyalty programs.
FAQ
1. Why do air miles expire?
Air miles expire due to inactivity in your account for a specified period, which varies by airline. This policy helps airlines manage liabilities on their balance sheets while encouraging customer engagement.
2. Can expired points be reinstated?
Yes, some programs allow reinstatement for a fee. Contact customer service for options, but note that policies and costs vary by airline or hotel loyalty program.
3. Do credit card rewards points expire?
Most credit card rewards, like Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards, don’t expire as long as your account remains active. Always check your credit card’s specific terms for expiration policies.
4. Can I transfer points between programs to extend their validity?
Yes, transferring points between eligible programs, such as airline and hotel partnerships, can reset your expiration clock. Check for fees or limitations before transferring.
5. How do I track expiration dates?
Use loyalty management apps or set reminders to monitor expiration dates for your accounts. Some programs send alerts to your email when your miles are nearing expiration.
6. Are there fees associated with keeping my points active?
Generally, there are no fees for earning or redeeming points to maintain activity, but transferring or reinstating expired points may involve a fee.
7. What’s the easiest way to keep my miles active?
The easiest way is to use a co-branded airline credit card for everyday purchases, ensuring continuous activity without extra effort.
