If you’re an avid collector of travel rewards, you can bet that most of the currencies you’ve amassed have an expiration date. Unlike many credit card statement credits that reset at the end of the year, most points, miles and travel credits expire based on when you earned them.
This may seem alarming at first — or, at the very least, inconvenient to monitor — but it’s really not that bad. In just about every case, you can push the expiration date by simply earning or redeeming a single point. If you’re a frequent traveler, you shouldn’t have much to worry about.
Even better, some points and miles will never expire as long as you have a credit card that earns those rewards.
By understanding each program’s rules, you can stay ahead of deadlines and avoid losing out on flight credits, hotel certificates and other perks you have worked hard to earn.
Here’s what to know about expiration rules across major airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Related: Why points and miles are a bad long-term investment
When do points and miles expire?
A number of loyalty programs offer points that never expire, but many impose expiration dates — often one to three years after your last account activity. If your balance is nearing expiration, some programs provide straightforward ways to extend it, while others offer fewer options.
Airline points and miles expiration
Airline programExpiration term
No expiration (as long as your account remains active and in good standing).
18 months from last activity; can be extended with activity (earning, redeeming, donating, transferring or converting points).
Note: Aeroplan has paused the expiry of points until Nov. 30, 2026.
Air France-KLM Flying Blue24 months from last activity; can be extended with activity.
Elite and Elite Plus members are exempt from mileage expiration.
Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines Atmos Rewards
No expiration (as long as your account remains active and in good standing).
American Airlines AAdvantage24 months from last activity; can be extended with activity (earning mileage credit from any AAdvantage participant or redeeming miles for any AAdvantage award).
Miles do not expire for members under 21 and primary AAdvantage credit card holders.
36 months from earning (can vary depending on the mileage account group).
Mileage does not expire while you have ANA Diamond Service member status.
12 months from last activity; can be extended with activity (including any miles accrual transaction or spending on a cobranded credit card).
24 months if you hold elite status.
36 months from last activity; can be extended with activity (collecting, spending, buying or sharing Avios).
18 months from last activity; can be extended with activity (earning or redeeming miles).
No expiration (as long as your account remains active and in good standing).
Three years from earning; can be extended for an additional 12 months (if set to expire in 90 days) for a charge of $20 per 1,000 miles.
Miles do not expire while you hold Platinum status.
18 months from earning; can be extended 18 additional months by flying with Etihad Airways or any partner airline.
Platinum and Diamond members are exempt from mileage expiration.
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
36 months from earning; can be extended with activity.
12 months from last activity; can be extended with activity.
36 months from last activity; can be extended with activity.
36 months from earning.
No expiration (as long as your account remains active and in good standing).
10 years from earning; no way to extend.
36 months from earning; no way to extend.
Expiration is waived for Frequent Traveller, Senator or HON Circle members (for the duration of their status). Some cardholders of a Miles & More credit card may be able to prevent miles from expiring (varies by country).
18 months from last activity; can be extended with activity.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club36 months from earning.
Avios do not expire while you are a Platinum member.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer36 months from earning.
Basic members can extend validity for six months, and Elite Silver and Gold members can extend for 12 months for a fee.
Miles do not expire for PPS Club and Solitaire PPS Club members.
No expiration (as long as your account remains open and in good standing).
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
Three calendar years after they are earned, but can be extended for a fee.
As you can see, these policies vary greatly. Some programs count any activity as eligible to extend the expiration date, while others don’t allow extensions or charge a fee.
Hotel points expiration
Hotel programExpiration term
12 months from last activity; can be extended with activity (earning or transferring points).
No expiration (as long as your account remains active and in good standing).
18 months from last activity; can be extended with activity.
24 months from last activity; can be extended with activity.
12 months from last activity; can be extended with activity (earning or redeeming points).
No expiration for elite members.
24 months from last activity; can be extended with activity.
24 months from last activity; can be extended with activity (earning points or miles and redeeming or purchasing points).
Points never expire for members with Lifetime elite status.
24 months from last activity; can be extended with activity.
24 months from last activity; can be extended with activity.
Four years after the checkout date of the stay for which they were earned, or 18 months with no account activity; can be extended with activity.
As with airlines, there’s a wide range of expiration policies. While most hotel points (with the exception of Best Western Rewards points) do expire, most programs allow you to extend the validity of your points with activity.
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Related: Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?
Rental car points expiration
Rental car programExpiration term60 months (five years) from earning.
If you are a resident of Ontario, your points do not expire but may be canceled due to inactivity.
24 months from last rental activity; can be extended by earning or redeeming points.
36 months from the last qualifying rental or points-earning event.
Five years from earning (does not apply to residents of Canada).
Additionally, all points in your account will expire after 12 months of no rental activity. “Activity” means earning or redeeming points on a rental; transferring points does not qualify.
Rental credits never expire as long as you remain a member.
Free Days expire Dec. 31 of the year following the year in which they were earned.
24 months from the end of the quarter in which they were earned.
These rental car loyalty programs let you hold on to your points for one to five years after you earn them or your last qualifying activity. Some allow you to reset the clock with activity, but others don’t, so be sure to check your program’s policy to avoid forfeiting valuable rewards.
When do flight credits expire?
Airline credits often expire — but not always. Each airline publishes unique terms, so you’ll need to read the fine print. Here’s a quick rundown of the rules for the most popular airline credits.
A JetBlue airplane lands at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). EVA MARIE UZCATEGUI/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
Alaska Airlines
If you cancel your nonrefundable Alaska Airlines flight or change it to a flight that costs less than your original ticket, you’ll get a credit certificate for the remaining value of your ticket. This expires either 12 months from the issue date of your original ticket or 30 days from the date of exchange or cancellation (whichever is greater). Credit certificates must be used to purchase a new ticket before the expiration date passes, but the new flight can take place up to 11 months later.
Related: How to save hundreds on flights with the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare
American Airlines
Travelers with unused tickets will receive a flight credit for future travel with American Airlines. To use them, you must book your new flight and travel within one year of the original ticket date.
You may also receive a trip credit for a number of reasons, including a cancellation, a refund, as compensation or when you don’t fully use a flight credit. Trip credits are valid until 11:59 p.m. Central time on the date listed on the credit.
Finally, if you receive a paper travel voucher, you’ll have one year from the date it’s issued to use it.
Related: Best uses of American Airlines AAdvantage miles
Delta Air Lines
As a result of an unused ticket or a paid service that was only partially used (such as a flight, seat upgrade or travel voucher), you may receive a Delta eCredit. These expire one year from the date of issue.
ROBERT ALEXANDER/GETTY IMAGES
Related: Delta SkyMiles: Your complete guide to earning, redeeming and elite status
Frontier Airlines
Frontier issues flight credits and vouchers (or electronic travel certificates) with a 12-month shelf life. However, you can book travel beyond that window.
Southwest Airlines
When you cancel a Southwest flight or switch to a cheaper fare, you’ll receive a flight credit to use toward future Southwest flights. Flight credits created on or before May 27, 2025, do not expire. Flight credits from reservations booked and/or voluntarily changed on or after May 28, 2025, will have a specified expiration date based on the fare and form of payment. Note that basic fares expire six months from the date the fare was booked.
Southwest LUV Vouchers, on the other hand, are doled out as compensation for things like flight delays. These expire one year after the issue date, and they must be redeemed and all travel completed by the expiration date.
Related: How to redeem your points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards program
United Airlines
If you cancel your United Airlines flight or change it to a less expensive option, you’ll receive a future flight credit. To use it, your future trip must begin before the expiration date, which is typically one year from the date of issue. The exact expiration date will be listed on the credit itself.
You may also receive a travel certificate, which is a gesture of goodwill from United for doing things like giving up your seat on a full flight. This also expires after one year, but your trip doesn’t have to begin by that date. Instead, you need only book the trip before it expires; travel can occur well beyond the expiration date.
When do companion pass certificates expire?
AirlineCompanion certificate/passExpiration/use rules
Companion Fare
Must be redeemed within 12 months of issue; travel can be booked up to 12 months beyond the issue date.
Companion certificate
Typically expires 12 months after issue. Both booking and travel must be completed by the expiration date.
Companion certificate
Typically expires 12 months after issue. Both booking and travel must be completed by the expiration date.
Companion Pass
Valid for the remainder of the year earned and the following calendar year.
N/A (United offers other flight credits rather than companion certificates)
N/A
N/A (JetBlue offers other flight credits rather than companion certificates)
N/A
Companion certificate
Typically expires 12 months after issue. Both booking and travel must be completed by the expiration date.
Keeping track of companion certificates and passes is key, as expiration rules vary by airline. Planning ahead ensures you get the full value of these perks.
When do hotel free night certificates expire?
Hotel credits may also have varying expiration rules, but you’ll largely find that certificates will expire a year after they are issued. Let’s look at the terms published by the most popular hotel chains.
HYATT
Choice Hotels
Unlike many hotel loyalty programs, Choice doesn’t offer annual free night certificates.
Hilton
Hilton free night certificates are valid at nearly any Hilton hotel on the planet (with a few exceptions). If you can find a standard room for up to 150,000 Hilton Honors points, you can likely use your free night certificate there.
These certificates normally expire within one year of the issue date.
Related: Hilton free night reward redemptions: 10 best hotels in the world to use your award certificate
Hyatt
Free night certificates earned from the Hyatt credit card and through the Brand Explorer perk are valid for one year from the date of issue. Free night certificates earned as a Milestone Reward are valid for 180 days (6 months) from the date of issue. When using one of these, you must check out prior to the expiration date.
Related: How to earn, use and make the most of your Hyatt free night certificates
IHG Hotels & Resorts
MIGUEL NUNEZ/INTERCONTINENTAL PRESIDENTE COZUMEL RESORT SPA/FACEBOOK
Select IHG cardholders will receive a free night certificate worth up to 40,000 points after each account anniversary. You’ll have 12 months to complete your stay from the issue date. Additionally, InterContinental Ambassador members receive an annual free night certificate that expires 12 months from the issue date.
Marriott
Marriott free night certificates are valid for one year from the date of issue. You must check in for your stay on or before the expiration date.
Related: How to earn and use a Marriott Bonvoy 35,000-point certificate
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
You can’t earn a free night certificate with Wyndham Rewards — the only way to stay for free is by using points.
Bottom line
Travel rewards come with a wide range of expiration rules, and keeping track of them is the best way to make sure you don’t lose value. While some points and miles never expire as long as your account remains active, most flight credits and hotel certificates have firm deadlines based on when they were issued.
The best way to avoid losing value is to regularly review your balances, check each program’s policies and set reminders for rewards approaching their expiration date. With a little planning, you can ensure the points, miles and credits you’ve earned actually get used — and deliver the maximum value they’re designed for.
