Do credit card points expire? Maximizing rewards and miles

Key takeaways:

• General rewards and cash back usually do not expire as long as your account stays open. Track your balances and use points before they expire to get the most value.
• Airline and hotel points can expire, so check each program’s rules.
• Promotional points often have short windows, so redeem them quickly.

From cash back to airline miles, some credit card points do expire. However, knowing the rules for your credit card can help you maximize your points and avoid losing valuable rewards.

This guide will break down which points tend to expire and which usually don’t, as well as strategies to keep your rewards active so you can redeem them before they disappear.

Table of contents

• Which types of credit card rewards expire?
• Why credit card points expire
• Tips to stop points from expiring
• Additional considerations when redeeming points
• Maximize cash back rewards with PayPal
• Frequently asked questions

Which types of credit card rewards expire?

Generally, points from standard credit cards or cash-back programs won’t expire as long as your account is active and in good standing. On the other hand, co-branded airline and hotel points often have expiration dates or may expire after a period of inactivity.

Understanding which points are at risk helps you plan redemptions strategically and maximize value.

Cash back rewards

In most cases, cash back doesn’t expire as long as your account stays open and active. Cashback rewards give you a percentage of your purchases back, typically as a deposit or statement credit. Similar to credit card points, some promotional points or special programs may limit how and when you can redeem them.

Credit card points

Most general-purpose rewards points don’t expire while your account is active, but some loyalty programs may require periodic activity to keep points valid. You can redeem credit card points for rewards like statement credits, gift cards, or even exclusive experiences.

Travel, hotel, and airline rewards

Do travel points expire? Co-branded travel points and airline miles often come with expiration dates or inactivity requirements. For example, expiration policies for some airlines or hotel points require a qualifying activity to keep points active, like earning or redeeming miles every 18 months.

Why credit card points expire

Beyond the standard expiration policies of your card, you could lose points because of account status, payment behavior, or specific reward program rules. Here are some common examples that could lead to a loss of points.

How to tell if rewards can expire

Policies vary by issuer, so staying on top of them is essential to maximize your rewards. Here are key ways to identify if your points may expire:

• Check the terms and conditions: Review your credit card’s rewards program details to understand expiration policies. Some points never expire while others lapse after months or years of inactivity.
• Monitor account activity: Regularly earning or redeeming points can help keep them active and prevent expiration.
• Reinstatement options: Some issuers allow you to reinstate expired points, sometimes for a fee.
• Watch for notifications: Issuers often alert you through multiple channels, including:
• Email reminders about points at risk and redemption deadlines
• Mobile app push notifications highlighting expiring rewards
• Text messages with upcoming expiration alerts
• Online account portal alerts when logging in

Tips to stop points from expiring

To make the most of your credit card rewards and ensure you don’t lose points, it’s important to stay proactive. Here are a few simple strategies to help you retain and maximize your rewards:

• Pay bills on time and avoid exceeding credit limits to maintain eligibility for rewards.
• Use points within any specified timeframes to prevent them from expiring.
• If your card has a cap on points, redeem before reaching the limit so you can continue earning.
• Redeem rewards before cancelling a credit card to avoid losing them entirely.
• If you won’t use points before they expire, see if your credit card program allows you to transfer or donate points to family, friends, or charities.
• Check your issuer’s terms periodically and watch for communications about expiring points.
• Some programs allow you to transfer or pool points across accounts or cards, extending usability.
• Set a reminder in your calendar to use the card for a small purchase every few months.
• Consider putting a small, recurring charge, like a streaming subscription, on the card.

Additional considerations when redeeming points

Expiration policies often shape how rewards programs work. For example, these terms may affect what rewards are available, how flexible redemption is, and whether points can be combined with other accounts.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when examining a credit card’s rewards policy:

• Time-sensitive rewards: When points expire after a certain period, companies often offer rewards that need to be claimed within a specific timeframe. These can include perks like travel vouchers or discounts on products.
• Flexible redemption: If points have a long shelf life or don’t expire, you may have more freedom in how they're redeemed. For instance, points could potentially be saved up for larger rewards.
• Redemption restrictions: Expiration policies may come with certain limitations on redemption. For example, you may need to accumulate a minimum number of points before you can redeem them, or certain rewards may only be available during specific promotional periods.
• Combining points: Points with expiration dates may have restrictions on transferring or combining them with points from other accounts. This can limit the flexibility of redemption options and make it more challenging to maximize the value of points.