Do Credit Card Miles Expire and What You Can Do

Credit card miles and points offer valuable benefits, allowing cardholders to redeem for travel, merchandise, or cash back. Many consumers accumulate these rewards over time, but a common concern arises regarding their potential expiration. Understanding the policies that govern these reward programs is important for maximizing their value and avoiding forfeiture.

Understanding Expiration Policies

Whether credit card miles expire depends on the specific credit card issuer and the individual rewards program. Many general credit card rewards, such as those from major bank-issued cards, typically do not expire as long as the account remains open and in good standing. However, rewards earned through co-branded airline or hotel loyalty programs often operate under different rules. These miles or points are subject to the expiration policies of the respective airline or hotel program, which can include specific conditions for activity. It is important to consult the terms and conditions of your specific credit card and loyalty program to understand their unique expiration policies.

Common Causes of Miles Expiration

Credit card miles typically expire due to specific scenarios, primarily account inactivity, where no qualifying earning or redemption transactions occur within a set timeframe. For many airline and hotel loyalty programs, this inactivity period can range from 12 to 36 months, after which accumulated miles may be forfeited. Account closure, whether initiated by the cardholder or the issuer, can also lead to miles expiration. If an account is closed due to reasons like delinquency, failure to make payments, or extended inactivity, any unredeemed rewards might be lost immediately or after a short grace period. Additionally, changes to a rewards program by the issuer or partner can sometimes affect the expiration terms of existing miles.

Strategies for Preventing Miles Expiration

Engaging in any qualifying activity can often “reset the clock” on an account’s expiration period, preventing credit card miles from expiring. This activity can include making a small purchase with a co-branded credit card, earning new miles, or redeeming even a small amount of existing miles. Transferring miles to a partner loyalty program, if allowed, can also extend their lifespan, though the transferred miles will then be subject to the new program’s expiration rules. Participating in dining rewards programs or using online shopping portals affiliated with the loyalty program are additional ways to generate account activity. Some programs may also offer exemptions from expiration for cardholders who achieve elite status or hold specific co-branded credit cards.

What to Do if Your Miles Expire

If your credit card miles have already expired, there may still be options to recover them. The initial step involves contacting the credit card issuer’s customer service or the specific loyalty program directly to inquire about their reinstatement policies. While reinstatement is not always guaranteed, some programs may allow it for a fee or under specific conditions. For instance, some programs might charge a flat fee or a per-mile fee to reactivate expired miles. It is important to evaluate whether the value of the expired miles outweighs any potential reinstatement costs.