-Airline/Hotel credit cards where the points are deposited monthly into your airline/hotel account remain, even if the card is no longer active, are subject to the normal expiration dates listed in the chart below.
You will not instantly lose any earned Hyatt/Starwood/American/BA/Delta/Southwest/United/etc. points just for closing their credit card. Some representatives use scare tactics and say your points or tickets will be lost if you cancel the card but it’s just misinformation.
-Proprietary credit card point programs (American Express Membership Rewards, Barclays Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, Chase Ultimate Rewards) do not expire as long as you keep at least one card open that is enrolled in their respective program.
Below is a chart of 30 programs where you can easily see when your airline miles and hotel points will expire as well as where you can transfer points from which usually will extend the life of your points and miles.
See the chart and more info after the jump…
For example if you have a Chase Freedom card and a Chase Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card® Card card, you can move your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card points over to your Freedom card and close the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and not lose any points. Or you can downgrade your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to Freedom and keep the points alive that way. Or you can transfer the points on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to programs like United, British Airways, Southwest, Korean, or Hyatt.
If you close or downgrade the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card you will retain the remaining points with your no annual fee Freedom card (or no annual fee Ink Cash card), but you will no longer be able to transfer the points to airlines/hotels.
However if you have or if you open another Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Ink Plus card , or Ink Bold card in the future you will once again be able to transfer all of your points to airlines/hotels.
Another option would be transfer the points to your spouse if they have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Ink Bold, or Ink Plus card to transfer the points to a airline/hotel program in the future when you decide which program to transfer to.
Airline/Hotel | Mileage transferability and typical transfer time | Alliance | Expiration |
---|---|---|---|
ANA | AMEX 1K:1K (1-2 days) Marriott 60K:25K | Star Alliance | Miles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity. |
Aeroflot | Marriott 60K:25K | Skyteam | You must earn 1 mile every 24 months from a paid flight to extend the validity of your miles. |
Aegean | Marriott 60K:25K | Star Alliance | You must earn 1 mile every 60 months from a paid flight to extend the validity of your miles. |
Aer Lingus | AMEX 1K:1K (Instant) Capital One 1K:1K (Instant) Chase 1K:1K (Instant) Citi, via Qatar 1K:1K (1-2 days) | None, but partners with select airlines like BA, Etihad, and United | You must redeem or earn 1 mile every 36 months to extend the validity of your miles. |
AeroMexico | AMEX 1K:1.6K (1-5 days) Barclays 1.4K:1K Capital One 1K:1K (Instant) Citi 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:25K | Skyteam | You must earn 1 mile every 24 months to extend the validity of your miles. |
Air Canada Aeroplan | AMEX 1K:1K (Instant) Barclays 1.7K:1K Capital One 1K:1K (Instant) Chase 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:25K | Star Alliance | You must redeem or earn 1 mile every 18 months to extend the validity of your miles. Accounts belonging to minors under 18 are exempt from the expiry policy until they turn 18. |
Air China | Marriott 60K:25K | Star Alliance | Miles expire on 12/31 that occurs more than 24 months after they were earned, regardless of activity. |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | AMEX 1K:1K (Instant) Barclays 1.4K:1K Capital One 1K:1K (Instant) Chase 1K:1K (Instant) Citi 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:25K | Skyteam | You must earn 1 mile every 24 months to extend the validity of your miles. |
Air New Zealand | Marriott 60K:375 | Star Alliance | Miles expire on account signup anniversary that is at least 48 months from when miles were earned, regardless of activity. |
Alaska | AMEX 1K:1K, via Hawaiian (Instant) Hawaiian 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:25K | OneWorld | No Expiration. |
American | Marriott 60K:20K (1-2 days) | OneWorld | You must redeem or earn 1 mile every 24 months to extend the validity of your miles. Accounts belonging to minors under 21 are exempt from the expiry policy and activity requirement until they turn 21. AA credit cardholders miles never expire. |
Asiana | Marriott 60K:25K | Star Alliance | Miles expire after 10 years, regardless of activity. |
Avianca Lifemiles | AMEX 1K:1K (Instant) Capital One 1K:1K (Instant) Citi 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:20K | Star Alliance | Miles earned before 4/15/18: You must redeem or earn 1 mile every 24 months to extend the validity of your miles. Miles earned on or after 4/15/18: You must earn 1 mile every 12 months to extend the validity of your miles. |
British Airways | AMEX 1K:1K (Instant) Capital One 1K:1K (Instant) Chase 1K:1K (Instant) Citi, via Qatar 1K:1K (1-2 days) Iberia 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:25K Qatar 1K:1K (Instant) | OneWorld | You must redeem or earn 1 mile every 36 months to extend the validity of your miles. |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | AMEX 1K:1K (Instant) Capital One 1K:1K (1-5 days) Citi 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:25K | OneWorld | Miles earned through 12/31/19 expire after 36 months, regardless of activity. Miles earned as of 1/1/20 will no longer expire as long as you earn or redeem 1 mile every 18 months to extend the validity of your miles. |
China Eastern | Barclays 1.4K:1K Marriott 60K:25K | Skyteam | Miles expire on 12/31 that occurs more than 36 months after they were earned, regardless of activity. |
China Southern | Marriott 60K:25K | Skyteam | Miles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity. |
Copa | Marriott 60K:25K | Star Alliance | You must redeem or earn 1 mile every 24 months to extend the validity of your miles. |
Delta | AMEX 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:20K | Skyteam | No Expiration. |
EVA | Barclays 1.4K:1K Capital One 2K:1.5K (Instant) Citi 1K:1K (2-3 days) | Star Alliance | Miles expire at the end of the 36th month after they were earned, regardless of activity. |
El Al | None | None, but partners with Alaska, Etihad, and Qantas. | Miles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity. |
Emirates | AMEX 1K:1K (Instant) Capital One 1K:1K (Instant) Chase 1K:1K (Instant) Citi 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:25K | None, but partners with select airlines like Alaska, JAL, and Korean | Miles expire after 3 years (at the end of your birth month), regardless of activity. Emirates US credit cardholders' miles never expire. |
Etihad | AMEX 1K:1K (Instant) Barclays 1.4K:1K Capital One 1K:1K (Instant) Citi 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:25K | None, but partners with select airlines like ANA, American, Brussels, and Korean. | You must redeem or earn 1 mile every 18 months to extend the validity of your miles. |
Finnair | Capital One 1K:1K (Instant) | OneWorld | You must redeem or earn 1 mile every 18 months to extend the validity of your miles. |
Frontier | Marriott 60K:25K | None | You must earn 1 mile every 6 months to extend the validity of your miles. |
Garuda | None | Skyteam | Miles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity. |
GOL/Varig | Marriott 60K:25K | None, but partners with select airlines like Delta. | Miles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity. |
Hainan | Marriott 60K:25K | None | You must redeem or earn 1 mile every 24 months to extend the validity of your miles. |
Hawaiian | AMEX 1K:1K (Instant) Alaska 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:25K | None, but partners with several airlines. | No Expiration. |
Iberia | AMEX 1K:1K (1 day) BA 1K:1K (Instant) Capital One, via BA 1K:1K (Instant) Chase 1K:1K (Instant) Citi, via Qatar 1K:1K (1-2 days) Marriott 60K:25K | OneWorld | You must redeem or earn 1 mile every 36 months to extend the validity of your miles. |
JAL | Barclays 1.7K:1K Marriott 60K:25K | OneWorld | Miles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity. |
Jet Airways Intermiles | Barclays 1.4K:1K Citi 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:25K | None, but partners with select airlines like United. | Miles expire at the end of each quarter, 3 years after they were earned, regardless of activity. |
Jetblue | AMEX 250:200 (Instant) Chase 1K:1K (Instant) Citi 1K:1K (Instant) | None | No Expiration. |
Korean | Marriott 60K:20K | Skyteam | Miles expire after 10 years, regardless of activity. |
LATAM | Marriott 60K:25K | None | You must earn 1 mile every 36 months from a paid LATAM flight to extend the validity of your miles. |
Lufthansa Miles & More | None | Star Alliance | Miles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity. If you have a Miles & More credit card and use it monthly, then your miles will not expire. If you have Miles & More elite status miles will not expire. |
Malaysia | Barclays 1.4K:1K Citi 1K:1K (1-2 days) | OneWorld | Miles expire at the end of the 36th month after they were earned, regardless of activity. |
Qantas | AMEX 500:500 (Instant) Barclays 1.4K:1K Capital One 1K:1K (Instant) Citi 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:25K | OneWorld | You must redeem or earn 1 mile every 18 months to extend the validity of your miles. |
Qatar | AMEX, 1K:1K (Instant) BA 1K:1K (Instant) Capital One, via BA 1K:1K (Instant) Chase, via BA 1K:1K (Instant) Citi 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:25K | OneWorld | Miles expire on 06/30 or 12/31 that occurs more than 36 months after they were earned, regardless of activity. |
Saudia | Marriott 60K:25K | Skyteam | Miles expire on 12/31 that occurs more than 36 months after they were earned, regardless of activity. |
Singapore | AMEX 1K:1K (Instant) Capital One 1K:1K (Instant) Chase 1K:1K (Less than 1 day) Citi 1K:1K (1 day) Marriott 60K:25K Virgin Australia 1.55K:1K | Star Alliance | Miles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity. |
South African | Marriott 60K:25K | Star Alliance | Miles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity. |
Southwest | Chase 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:25K | None | No Expiration. |
Spirit | None | None | You must earn 1 mile every 12 months to extend the validity of your miles. |
TAP | Capital One 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:25K | Star Alliance | Miles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity. |
Thai | Citi 1K:1K (3-7 days) Marriott 60K:25K | Star Alliance | Miles expire after at the end of each quarter, 3 years after they were earned, regardless of activity. |
Turkish | Capital One 1K:1K (Instant) Citi 1K:1K (1 day) Marriott 60K:25K | Star Alliance | Miles expire on 12/31 that occurs more than 36 months after they were earned, regardless of activity. |
United | Chase 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:30K | Star Alliance | No Expiration. |
Virgin Atlantic | AMEX 1K:1K (Instant) Capital One 1K:1K (Instant) Chase 1K:1K (Instant) Citi 1K:1K (Instant) Marriott 60K:25K | Skyteam | No Expiration. |
Virgin Australia | Marriott 60K:25K Singapore 1.55K:1K | None, but partners with select airlines like Delta, Etihad, and Singapore. | You must redeem or earn 1 mile every 24 months to extend the validity of your miles. |
Accor | Capital One 2K:1K (1-2 days) Citi 2K:1K | - | You must redeem or earn 1 point every 12 months to extend the validity of your points. |
Choice Privileges | AMEX 1K:1K (Instant) Capital One 1K:1K Citi 1K:2K (Instant) | - | You must redeem or earn 1 point every 18 months to extend the validity of your points. |
Club Carlson | None | - | You must redeem or earn 1 point every 24 months to extend the validity of your points. |
Hilton | AMEX 1K:2K (Instant) Capital One via Virgin Atlantic 1K:1.5K Chase via Virgin Atlantic 1K:1.5K Citi TY via Virgin Atlantic: 1K:1.5K Marriott via Virgin Atlantic 60K:37.5K | - | You must redeem or earn 1 point every 24 months to extend the validity of your points. |
Hyatt | Chase 1K:1K (Instant) | - | You must redeem or earn 1 point every 24 months to extend the validity of your points. |
IHG | Chase 1K:1K (Instant) | - | You must redeem or earn 1 point every 12 months to extend the validity of your points. |
Marriott | AMEX 1K:1K (Instant) Chase UR 1K:1K (1 day) | - | You must redeem or earn 1 point every 24 months to extend the validity of your points. Note that transferring points and social media points do not count as activity. |
Wyndham | Capital One 1K:1K (Instant) Citi 1K:1K (Instant) | - | You must redeem or earn 1 point every 18 months to extend the validity of your points. Additionally, all points expire 4 years from when they're earned regardless of activity. |
Amtrak | JetBlue 2:1 (Same day) | - | You must redeem or earn 1 point every 24 months to extend the validity of your points. |
Find a mistake? Is your favorite program not on the list? Post a comment!
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23 Comments On "When Do My Miles Or Points Expire?"
All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions aren’t provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.
Although it might be obvious, you have to spend on the United card at least a $1 for it to not expire. CMIIW.
@menachem_m:
You are wrong.
I hope I am :), but I have the Explorer card and I still have an expiration date. What gives?
@menachem_m:
Hover over the “mileage expiration” for the explanation.
Is it safe in ur opinion to let few hundred thousand UR points just sit in chase account for long time like 2 yrs or wouldu say rather use it asap or dont make so much or open more cards if points not needed anytime soon
I use awardwallet.com to keep track of my points and it actually tells you when your points will expire. It doesn’t work with every program though.
I had a chase sapphire preferred credit card with some 200K+ points on it, but chase closed down my account. According to chase my points are lost. would anyone know if there is a way to retrieve these reward points?
Do my club carlson points expire? Thanks.
I have the amex PRG the annual fee is coming up soon. I wantto close the card. Does that mean I will loose the points unless I sell them or transfer them? I also have the SPG card
if i have a downgraded version on united card that has no annual fee (very old) will they expire?
Dan you mentioned before you would consider an ANA flight search on United flights to Israel post. Please Dan can you make such a post?
When dos Miles $ More exp. after closing the miles and more CC
I have 50,000 b.a avios. Is there a way for me to transfer those into Chase u.r points? (I obviously know you can transfer chase u.r to b.a avios)
@faigy
You will not lose the SPG points. As soon as they are earned they are disconnected from the card. They are Starwood points, not Amex points. You are better off converting your card to no fee card and keeping the credit line, rather than closing it.
@faigy
The PRG card earns MR points and you will lose them unless you have another MR earning card. If you dont, you can convert the SPG to a no fee Blue card that earns MR points, then close the PRG card and the points wont be lost.
I’ve got 30k united miles set to expire the end of November..what is the cheapest way to extend the expiration date?
Does anyone know about Hertz points- if/when they expire?
If points are going to expire, do you have any suggestions as to how to sell the points and which company you prefer?
Matmid told me even points transfer’d from amex does expire
Update for Frontier:
Beginning March 7, 2015, you’ll need to earn miles using your EarlyReturns account every six months in order to keep the miles that are currently in your account.
I don’t really know where to turn, I realized too late that 40K United points expired,
Anything I can do about it?
is this up to date?
Dan’s New Article:
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/milespoints/mileage-expiration-guide-for-38-loyalty-programs-how-to-keep-your-points-from-expiring-and-how-to-bring-them-back-to-life-after-theyve-expired/