Do Credit Card Points Expire? What You Need to Know

Credit card points offer a valuable way to receive rewards for everyday spending, ranging from travel perks to merchandise and cash back. However, a common concern among cardholders is whether these accumulated points can expire. Understanding point expiration is important for maximizing the value of your rewards. While some rewards programs allow points to remain active indefinitely, many others have specific conditions under which points can be forfeited.

Factors Influencing Point Expiration

The expiration rules for credit card points are not universal and depend on the individual credit card issuer and its specific rewards program. Each program establishes its own terms and conditions regarding point longevity, meaning what applies to one card may not apply to another. It is important to review the detailed terms of your particular rewards program to understand its unique policies.

One common reason points may expire is account inactivity. Many programs stipulate that if there is no earning or redemption activity on the account within a specified timeframe, typically ranging from 12 to 24 months, the accumulated points may be forfeited. This policy encourages cardholders to actively use their cards and engage with the rewards program.

Another frequent cause of point loss is account closure. If a credit card account is voluntarily closed by the cardholder or closed by the issuer due to inactivity or other reasons, any unredeemed points are typically lost. Cardholders should always redeem points before closing an account.

Some rewards programs also impose a fixed time-based expiration, regardless of account activity. Under these policies, points may expire after a set period, such as three to five years from the date they were earned. This means that even if you regularly use your card and earn new points, older points might still have a “shelf life” and disappear after a certain duration.

Strategies to Keep Points Active

To prevent credit card points from expiring due to inactivity, maintaining regular account activity is a strategy. Making even small, routine purchases with your card can often reset the inactivity clock, ensuring your points remain valid. This could involve using the card for monthly subscriptions or a single small transaction every few months.

Regularly redeeming points, even for modest rewards, also serves as a form of activity that can help keep your points from expiring. Redeeming points also ensures you utilize their value before any potential expiration dates.

Transferring points to a partner loyalty program, such as an airline or hotel program, can sometimes extend their lifespan. Once transferred, the points become subject to the partner program’s expiration rules, which might be more favorable or offer different activity requirements. However, it is important to verify the partner program’s terms before initiating a transfer, as some partner points may also have expiration policies.

Periodically reviewing the terms and conditions of your credit card rewards program is important to stay informed about any changes to expiration policies. Issuers can modify their rules, and staying updated helps you adjust your strategy accordingly. Setting personal reminders or calendar alerts for points with fixed expiration dates can also provide a timely nudge to redeem or use points before they are lost.

Understanding Lost Points

Once credit card points expire, they are typically forfeited and cannot be recovered. This loss is generally permanent, meaning the value associated with those points is gone. Most credit card issuers maintain a strict policy regarding expired points, and there are rarely exceptions. While a polite inquiry to customer service might occasionally be considered for a one-time reinstatement, this is an uncommon occurrence and is not guaranteed. Therefore, understanding and actively managing point expiration is important to avoid losing accumulated rewards.