Do Credit Card Rewards Expire? What I Learned the Hard Way

I once had 47,000 airline miles sitting in my rewards account. I was saving them for a big trip to Portugal, daydreaming about pastel de nata and coastal sunsets. Then one random Tuesday, I logged in and — poof — they were gone. Every single point, wiped clean. Turns out, my rewards had expired because I hadn’t used my card in 18 months. That was a gut punch I’ll never forget!

So, do credit card rewards expire? The short answer is: it depends on the card issuer and the type of rewards program. But trust me, the details matter more than you think, and ignoring them can cost you hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars in lost value.

The Short Answer: Yes, Some Rewards Do Expire

Not all credit card rewards expire, but plenty of them can. It really comes down to the specific card and the fine print in your rewards program terms. Some issuers are super generous and let your points stick around forever, while others have strict expiration policies that’ll catch you off guard.

Generally speaking, rewards earned through cash back programs tend to be more forgiving. Many cash back cards let you keep your rewards as long as the account stays open and in good standing. But airline miles and hotel points? That’s where things get tricky.

Which Rewards Programs Have Expiration Dates?

Here’s where I wish someone had sat me down years ago and explained things clearly. Different programs have wildly different rules, and assuming they’re all the same is a rookie mistake — one I definitely made.

• Airline miles: Many airline loyalty programs expire miles after 18-24 months of account inactivity. Programs like Delta SkyMiles removed expiration dates, but others haven’t been so kind.
• Hotel points: Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors points can expire after periods of inactivity, typically 12-24 months.
• Cash back rewards: Cards like the Citi Double Cash or Chase Freedom generally keep your rewards alive as long as the account is open.
• Bank-specific points: Programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards typically don’t expire while your account remains active.

The key word in almost every case is “inactivity.” If you’re not earning or redeeming, the clock starts ticking.

What Causes Rewards to Disappear

Beyond simple expiration dates, there’s a few other ways you can lose your hard-earned rewards. I’ve seen people get burned by these, and honestly, I’ve been burned myself.

Closing your credit card account is the big one. When you cancel a card, any unredeemed rewards tied to that account are usually forfeited immediately. I had a buddy who closed his Amex Gold card without redeeming about 30,000 points first. Gone in an instant. He was not happy about it.

Late payments can also trigger reward forfeiture with some issuers. And if your account gets sent to collections? Yeah, kiss those points goodbye. It’s also worth noting that some promotional bonus rewards come with their own separate expiration timelines, so always read the terms when you sign up for a new card offer.

How to Keep Your Rewards Safe

After my Portugal miles disaster, I became borderline obsessive about protecting my rewards. Here’s what actually works based on my experience:

• Set a small recurring charge on cards you don’t use often — even a $5 monthly subscription counts as activity.
• Check your rewards balances at least quarterly. I literally put reminders on my phone calendar.
• Read the fine print on your rewards program terms before you sign up.
• Transfer points to travel partners if your program allows it — transferred points sometimes follow different rules.
• Redeem regularly instead of hoarding forever. Points sitting unused are points at risk.

Don’t Let Your Points Vanish Like Mine Did

Look, the whole rewards game is supposed to work in your favor. But it only works if you actually pay attention to the rules and stay proactive. Every card is different, so take a few minutes to check your specific program’s expiration policy today.

Your rewards are basically free money — don’t leave them on the table. If you want more tips on maximizing your credit strategy and protecting your financial health, head over to Score Cove and browse through our latest posts. We’ve got plenty more where this came from!