There’s nothing more frustrating than having your points and miles go to waste when you worked so hard to save them up for that dream trip.
Be aware that banks and airline and hotels set expiration dates for their point and miles reward systems. Below is everything you need to know to keep your points and miles from expiring.
Types of Points
There are two types of points you can earn:
1) Versatile bank points from the four major banks: Chase, American Express, Citi, and Capital One. They are considered versatile because they are not tied to one specific place and can be redeemed for either hotel stays or airfare with airlines they partner with.
2) Business points that can only be used with that specific business, like hotel points and airline points. For example, Hilton points or Delta points.
Keeping Bank Reward Points Safe:
In regards to Bank Reward points, they CAN expire IF there is NO activity on your account or credit card that earns you points. “Activity” means you are not earning more points with them through spend on your credit card or through referring people. Be sure to read your terms and conditions as some credit cards have different rules.
To keep bank reward points safe, be sure you are using your credit card at least every few months to keep your points active.
Another thing to keep in mind is that if you want to keep your bank points, DO NOT close the credit card, otherwise you’ll lose those points. If you plan to close the credit card, be sure to move points out of your bank reward account and into a travel partner account BEFORE closing the card so you don’t lose them.
Keeping Hotel and Airline Point Safe:
Once points and miles are moved into a travel partner account, a new clock begins for when you must use them by. Here’s some of the most popular places people move their points to and when they will expire:
Airline Points ✈️
18 months of inactivity: Air Canada, Cathay, Ethiad, and Qantas
24 months of inactivity: Alaska, American Airlines, and flying Flying Blue
No expiration: Delta, Hawaiian, Jet Blue, Southwest, United, and Virgin
Hotels 🏨
12 months of inactivity: Accor and IHG
18 months of inactivity: Choice and Wyndham
24 months: Hilton, Marriott, Radisson, and Hyatt
Follow me on Instagram @mamitravelswithpoints for all things points, miles, and travel. Happy Travels!
