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How To Protect Your Travel Points from Expiring

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Imagine logging into your rewards account, excited to book your next dream trip, only to discover your hard-earned points have disappeared. Poof—just like that. It’s frustrating, right? Unfortunately, many loyalty programs have expiration rules. And if you don’t stay active, those points could vanish faster than you can say “free flight.”

But don’t worry— you don’t have to let this happen. In this guide, we’ll show you simple, stress-free ways to keep your points safe and active. With a few easy strategies, you’ll never have to lose sleep (or rewards) over expiring points again.

Why Do Travel Points Expire?

Ever wonder why your travel points have an expiration date? It’s not just to make your life harder (even though it feels that way). Expiration policies exist to keep loyalty programs running smoothly and to encourage you to stay active. Let’s break down why this happens and how it affects your hard-earned rewards.

The Rule of Inactivity

Most loyalty programs have one simple rule: use your points, or lose them. Airlines, hotels, and other travel brands set expiration policies to encourage regular activity. If your account stays inactive for too long—typically 12 to 36 months—your points could disappear. It’s their way of nudging you to keep engaging with their program.

Different Programs, Different Policies

Each program has its quirks. For example, Delta SkyMiles never expire (a rare gem!), but United MileagePlus miles vanish after 18 months of inactivity. Marriott Bonvoy gives you 24 months, while Hilton Honors is a bit stricter at just 15 months. Knowing the rules of your specific program is crucial if you want to keep your points alive.

The Real Cost of Losing Points

Letting points expire isn’t just annoying—it can be costly. Imagine saving up enough miles for a free flight, only to have them wiped out because you didn’t use your account for a year. It’s like throwing free travel out the window. But don’t stress—there are plenty of easy ways to keep your account active (and we’ll cover those next).

Key Strategies to Protect Your Travel Points from Expiring

Let’s face it—losing points just because you forgot to use them is the ultimate travel bummer. But keeping them alive is easier than you might think. Here’s how you can stay ahead of expiration dates and keep your rewards intact.

Use Your Points Regularly

The easiest way to keep your points from expiring? Use them! You don’t need to plan a big trip or splurge on a luxury hotel—just make a small redemption. Book a short flight, upgrade your seat, or redeem points for a gift card. Even tiny transactions reset your account’s expiration clock.

Some programs even let you make partial redemptions, so you can use just a handful of points to keep your balance active. Think of it as a quick refresh for your account. Plus, spending your points means you’re actually enjoying the rewards you’ve earned, which is the whole point, right?

Earn Points Through Everyday Spending

Why let your points sit idle when you can keep earning them just by living your life? Co-branded credit cards are your best friend here. Whether you’re grabbing groceries, filling up on gas, or indulging in your favorite takeout, these cards let you rack up points with every swipe.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns bonus points on dining and travel. While the Amex Gold Card makes grocery shopping a goldmine. Even better, these points count as activity. This keeps your rewards safe from expiration. It’s like turning your everyday spending into a travel fund—without any extra effort.

Make Small Purchases Through Partner Portals

Online shopping can save your points from expiring. Most loyalty programs have partner portals where you earn points just by shopping through their site. It’s simple: click through the portal before making your usual purchases, and voilà—free points in your account.

Dining programs work the same way. Sign up with your favorite program, link a credit card, and earn points every time you eat at participating restaurants. Apps like Rakuten can also supercharge your points by offering cashback and rewards simultaneously.

Donate or Gift Your Points

Feeling generous? Donating your points to charity is a win-win. Many loyalty programs let you share your rewards with organizations in need, and the best part? It counts as account activity. You do some good and keep your points from expiring—it’s a no-brainer.

Not in the giving mood? You can also gift points to a friend or family member. Most programs make it easy to transfer points (sometimes for a small fee). It’s a great way to help someone else book their dream trip.

Set Calendar Reminders

Nobody wants to wake up to the dreaded “your points have expired” email. The good news? Avoiding that nightmare is as easy as setting a reminder. Add your points’ expiration dates to your phone’s calendar or a planner. A quick alert a month or two before the deadline gives you plenty of time to take action.

If manual tracking isn’t your thing, let technology do the heavy lifting. Apps like AwardWallet can monitor all your loyalty accounts in one place and send you notifications when your points are about to expire. It’s like having a personal assistant for your rewards—minus the coffee runs.

What To Do If Your Points Expire

Expired points? Don’t panic just yet. While seeing your rewards vanish can feel like a gut punch, many programs offer ways to get them back. It might take a little effort, but your hard-earned points could still be within reach.

Reach Out to Customer Service

The first thing to do is contact the program’s customer service team. Explain your situation and ask if they can reinstate your points. Some programs, like Hilton Honors or American Airlines AAdvantage, may restore your points as a one-time courtesy if you explain the lapse. Politeness goes a long way here—it never hurts to ask.

Pay a Reinstatement Fee

If customer service can’t offer a free fix, some programs allow you to pay a fee to reinstate your points. For example, American Airlines offers a points reinstatement option for a fee, depending on how many miles you want back. While paying isn’t ideal, it’s worth it if your points are enough to cover a big redemption like a flight or hotel stay.

Earn or Transfer Points to Reactivate

Some programs will bring your points back if you show new activity in your account. You might need to transfer points from a credit card partner, make a small purchase through the program’s shopping portal, or book a redemption. Always double-check with the program to confirm what works.

Learn for Next Time

If your points are gone for good, use this as a reminder to stay on top of expiration dates. Set calendar alerts or use tools to track your rewards. Protecting your points is a lot easier than trying to get them back!

Wrapping It Up

Losing travel points shouldn’t be part of your travel story. With just a bit of effort, you can keep them safe and ready for that dream trip you’ve been planning. Small actions like shopping through partner portals or redeeming a handful of points can make all the difference.

So don’t let your rewards vanish into the void. Protect your points, stay on top of expiration dates, and let them work for you.

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