Airline and Hotel Miles Expiration: How to Save Your Rewards in 2025
How Airline Miles Expiration WorksAirlines and hotels use expiration policies to manage financial liabilities. When you earn miles or points, companies record them as future obligations, which become costly when redeemed. Recent accounting changes have increased these liabilities, prompting many programs to expire miles after 12-36 months of inactivity for airlines or 6-24 months for hotels.However, not all programs are strict. Some, like Delta SkyMiles and Southwest Rapid Rewards, have no expiration, while others offer easy ways to extend validity through small actions. Understanding these rules helps you plan earning and redemption strategies to avoid losing valuable rewards.
Airlines with No Mile ExpirationSome airlines have eliminated expiration policies, making them ideal for occasional travelers who earn miles slowly. Here’s the complete list of programs with no expiration:
Airlines with Flexible Expiration PoliciesMany airlines expire miles after a set period but allow you to reset the clock with minimal activity, such as earning or redeeming miles. Here are the most manageable programs:
Airlines with Strict Expiration PoliciesSome airlines have rigid or costly expiration rules, requiring careful planning to avoid losing miles. These fall into two categories:Programs with No Extension Options
How to Keep Your Miles ActivePreventing airline miles from expiring doesn’t always require booking flights. Here are cost-effective ways to reset expiration timers:
Hotel Loyalty Program Expiration RulesHotel points often expire faster than airline miles, but some programs offer generous terms. Here’s a breakdown of major hotel loyalty programs:Programs with Generous Policies
Common Mistakes to AvoidMany travelers lose miles due to simple oversights. Avoid these pitfalls:
Tips for Managing Your Loyalty AccountsStay ahead of expiration deadlines with these practical strategies:
Airlines with No Mile ExpirationSome airlines have eliminated expiration policies, making them ideal for occasional travelers who earn miles slowly. Here’s the complete list of programs with no expiration:
- Delta SkyMiles: Miles never expire, regardless of activity.
- JetBlue TrueBlue: Points remain valid indefinitely.
- United MileagePlus: No expiration, perfect for infrequent flyers.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards: Points stay active forever.
- Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles: Miles never disappear.
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: No time limits on points.
- Alaska Mileage Plan: Miles don’t expire, offering flexibility for travelers.
Airlines with Flexible Expiration PoliciesMany airlines expire miles after a set period but allow you to reset the clock with minimal activity, such as earning or redeeming miles. Here are the most manageable programs:
- American Airlines AAdvantage: Miles expire after 24 months. Any activity (flights, credit card transfers, or partner transactions) resets the timer for another 24 months. Members under 21 or credit cardholders never lose miles.
- British Airways Executive Club: Avios expire after 36 months. Earning, redeeming, purchasing, or sharing Avios resets the clock. Transfers from Chase or Amex count as activity.
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club: Avios expire after 36 months. Any earning or redeeming activity extends validity for another 36 months, making it easy to maintain.
- Iberia Plus: Avios expire after 36 months, but any activity (earning or redeeming) resets the timer for 36 months.
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue: Miles expire after 24 months. Flying with Delta or using a co-branded credit card extends validity for another 24 months.
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: Miles expire after 18 months. Any activity, like transferring 1,000 Amex points, resets the clock for 18 months.
- Air Canada Aeroplan: Miles expire after 18 months. Earning or redeeming miles extends validity for another 18 months.
- Qantas Frequent Flyer: Points expire after 18 months, but any activity resets the timer for 18 months.
- Finnair Plus: Avios expire after 18 months of inactivity. Earning or redeeming resets the expiration for another 18 months.
- Free Spirit (Spirit Airlines): Miles expire after 12 months, but any earning or redeeming activity extends validity for 12 months.
Airlines with Strict Expiration PoliciesSome airlines have rigid or costly expiration rules, requiring careful planning to avoid losing miles. These fall into two categories:Programs with No Extension Options
- All Nippon Airways Mileage Club: Miles expire after 36 months, with no way to extend.
- EVA Air Infinity MileageLands: Miles expire after 36 months, no extensions possible.
- Lufthansa Miles & More: Miles expire after 36 months, with no extension options.
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles: Miles expire after 36 months, no extensions allowed.
- Frontier Miles: Miles expire after 12 months. Only earning new miles extends validity, and Frontier’s limited network makes this tough for some travelers.
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: Miles expire after 36 months, with no activity-based extensions. You can pay to extend for 6 months, but fees vary by status.
- Emirates Skywards: Miles expire after 36 months. Extensions cost $20 per 1,000 miles for 12 months, which can be expensive for large balances.
- Etihad Guest: Miles expire after 18 months. Only flights with Etihad or partners extend validity, limiting options.
|
Airline
|
Expiration Period
|
Extension Options
|
|---|---|---|
|
Delta SkyMiles
|
Never expires
|
N/A
|
|
American AAdvantage
|
24 months
|
Flights, credit card transfers, partner activity
|
|
Frontier Miles
|
12 months
|
Earn new miles only
|
|
Emirates Skywards
|
36 months
|
Pay $20/1,000 miles for 12 months
|
|
ANA Mileage Club
|
36 months
|
No extensions
|
How to Keep Your Miles ActivePreventing airline miles from expiring doesn’t always require booking flights. Here are cost-effective ways to reset expiration timers:
- Book Flights: Flying with the airline or its partners (e.g., SkyTeam, Oneworld) resets the timer.
- Transfer Credit Card Points: Move as few as 1,000 points from Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, or Citi ThankYou to extend validity.
- Shop Through Airline Portals: Earn miles by shopping via airline portals (e.g., American Airlines eShopping).
- Use Co-Branded Credit Cards: Spending with an airline’s credit card counts as activity in most programs.
- Partner Transactions: Dining programs, car rentals, or hotel bookings through partners often qualify (check specific rules).
Hotel Loyalty Program Expiration RulesHotel points often expire faster than airline miles, but some programs offer generous terms. Here’s a breakdown of major hotel loyalty programs:Programs with Generous Policies
- Best Western Rewards: Points never expire, perfect for infrequent travelers.
- IHG Rewards Club: Points don’t expire for Silver Elite members or higher, achievable through stays or credit card spending.
- World of Hyatt: 24-month expiration, reset by stays, credit card use, or transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
- Marriott Bonvoy: 24-month expiration, extended via stays, shopping portals, or Amex/Chase transfers.
- Choice Privileges: Activity every 18 months keeps points active, offering flexibility.
- Caesars Rewards & MGM Rewards: Points expire after 6 months of inactivity, a tight window for casual travelers.
- Wyndham Rewards & Hilton Honors: Require activity every 12-18 months to maintain points.
Common Mistakes to AvoidMany travelers lose miles due to simple oversights. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Ignoring Expiration Dates: Forgetting to check activity can wipe out years of miles.
- Assuming Only Flights Count: Many believe only flying extends miles, but transfers or shopping portal purchases work too.
- Not Monitoring Accounts: Inactive accounts can zero out without warning.
Tips for Managing Your Loyalty AccountsStay ahead of expiration deadlines with these practical strategies:
- Monitor Accounts Regularly: Check airline and hotel accounts every 3-6 months via their websites or apps.
- Set Calendar Reminders: Mark expiration dates 3 months in advance to plan actions like transferring points.
- Use Transfer Partners: Move small amounts of credit card points to reset timers cost-effectively.
- Understand Program Rules: Each program has unique policies. Visit their websites (e.g., American AAdvantage terms) for details.
- Leverage Partners: Earn miles through dining programs, car rentals, or shopping to keep accounts active.