When Do My Miles Or Points Expire?

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-Airline/Hotel credit cards where the points are deposited monthly into your airline/hotel account remain even if the card is no longer active, subject to the normal expiration dates listed in the chart below.
You will not instantly lose any earned Hyatt/Starwood/American/BA/Delta/Southwest/United/etc. points just for closing their credit card.  Some representatives use scare tactics and say your points or tickets will be lost if you cancel the card but it’s just misinformation.

-Proprietary credit card point programs (American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou, Chase Ultimate Rewards) do not expire as long as you keep at least one card open that is enrolled in their respective program.

Below is a chart of 27 programs where you can easily see when your airline miles and hotel points will expire as well as where you can transfer points from which usually will extend the life of your points and miles.

See the chart and more info after the jump…

For example if you have a Chase Freedom card and a Chase Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card® Card card, you can move your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card points over to your Freedom card and close the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and not lose any points. Or you can downgrade your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to Freedom to avoid paying an annual fee and keep the points alive that way. Or you can transfer the points on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to programs like United, British Airways, Southwest, Korean, or Hyatt.
Once you close the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card you will retain the remaining points with your no annual fee Freedom card (or no annual fee Ink Cash card), but you will no longer be able to transfer the points to airlines/hotels.
However if you have or if you open another Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Ink Bold card, or Ink Plus card in the future you will once again be able to transfer all of your points to airlines/hotels.
Another option would be transfer the points to your spouse if they have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Ink Bold, or Ink Plus card to transfer the points to a airline/hotel program in the future when you decide which program to transfer to.

Airline/HotelMileage transferability and typical transfer timeAllianceExpiration
ANAAMEX 1K:1K (1-2 days)

Marriott 60K:25K
Star AllianceMiles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity.
AeroflotMarriott 60K:25KSkyteamYou must earn 1 mile every 24 months from a paid flight to extend the validity of your miles.
AegeanMarriott 60K:25KStar AllianceYou must earn 1 mile every 60 months from a paid flight to extend the validity of your miles.
Aer LingusAMEX 1K:1K (Instant)

Capital One 1K:1K (Instant)

Chase 1K:1K (Instant)

Citi, via Qatar 1K:1K (1-2 days)
None, but partners with select airlines like BA, Etihad, and UnitedYou must redeem or earn 1 mile every 36 months to extend the validity of your miles.
AeroMexicoAMEX 1K:1.6K (1-5 days)

Barclays 1.4K:1K

Capital One 1K:1K (Instant)

Citi 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:25K
SkyteamYou must earn 1 mile every 24 months to extend the validity of your miles.
Air Canada AeroplanAMEX 1K:1K (Instant)

Barclays 1.7K:1K

Capital One 1K:1K (Instant)

Chase 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:25K
Star AllianceYou must redeem or earn 1 mile every 18 months to extend the validity of your miles.

Accounts belonging to minors under 18 are exempt from the expiry policy until they turn 18.
Air ChinaMarriott 60K:25KStar AllianceMiles expire on 12/31 that occurs more than 24 months after they were earned, regardless of activity.
Air France/KLM Flying BlueAMEX 1K:1K (Instant)

Barclays 1.4K:1K

Capital One 1K:1K (Instant)

Chase 1K:1K (Instant)

Citi 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:25K
SkyteamYou must earn 1 mile every 24 months to extend the validity of your miles.
Air New ZealandMarriott 60K:375Star AllianceMiles expire on account signup anniversary that is at least 48 months from when miles were earned, regardless of activity.
Alaska Marriott 60K:25KOneWorldYou must redeem or earn 1 mile every 24 months to extend the validity of your miles. After 24 months, miles can be reinstated for 12 months for free by request.
AmericanMarriott 60K:20K (1-2 days)OneWorldYou must redeem or earn 1 mile every 24 months to extend the validity of your miles.

Accounts belonging to minors under 21 are exempt from the expiry policy and activity requirement until they turn 21.

AA credit cardholders miles never expire.
AsianaMarriott 60K:25KStar AllianceMiles expire after 10 years, regardless of activity.
Avianca LifemilesAMEX 1K:1K (Instant)

Capital One 1K:1K (Instant)

Citi 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:20K
Star AllianceMiles earned before 4/15/18: You must redeem or earn 1 mile every 24 months to extend the validity of your miles.

Miles earned on or after 4/15/18: You must earn 1 mile every 12 months to extend the validity of your miles.
British AirwaysAMEX 1K:1K (Instant)

Capital One 1K:1K (Instant)

Chase 1K:1K (Instant)

Citi, via Qatar 1K:1K (1-2 days)

Iberia 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:25K

Qatar 1K:1K (Instant)
OneWorldYou must redeem or earn 1 mile every 36 months to extend the validity of your miles.
Cathay Pacific Asia MilesAMEX 1K:1K (Instant)

Capital One 1K:1K (1-5 days)

Citi 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:25K
OneWorldMiles earned through 12/31/19 expire after 36 months, regardless of activity.

Miles earned as of 1/1/20 will no longer expire as long as you earn or redeem 1 mile every 18 months to extend the validity of your miles.
China EasternBarclays 1.4K:1K

Marriott 60K:25K
SkyteamMiles expire on 12/31 that occurs more than 36 months after they were earned, regardless of activity.
China SouthernMarriott 60K:25KSkyteamMiles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity.
CopaMarriott 60K:25KStar AllianceYou must redeem or earn 1 mile every 24 months to extend the validity of your miles.
DeltaAMEX 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:20K
SkyteamNo Expiration.
EVABarclays 1.4K:1K

Capital One 2K:1.5K (Instant)

Citi 1K:1K (2-3 days)
Star AllianceMiles expire at the end of the 36th month after they were earned, regardless of activity.
El AlNoneNone, but partners with Alaska, Etihad, and Qantas.Miles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity.
EmiratesAMEX 1K:1K (Instant)

Capital One 1K:1K (Instant)

Chase 1K:1K (Instant)

Citi 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:25K
None, but partners with select airlines like Alaska, JAL, and KoreanMiles expire after 3 years (at the end of your birth month), regardless of activity.
Emirates US credit cardholders' miles never expire.
EtihadAMEX 1K:1K (Instant)

Barclays 1.4K:1K

Capital One 1K:1K (Instant)

Citi 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:25K
None, but partners with select airlines like ANA, American, Brussels, and Korean.You must redeem or earn 1 mile every 18 months to extend the validity of your miles.
FinnairCapital One 1K:1K (Instant)OneWorldYou must redeem or earn 1 mile every 18 months to extend the validity of your miles.
FrontierMarriott 60K:25KNoneYou must earn 1 mile every 6 months to extend the validity of your miles.
Garuda NoneSkyteamMiles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity.
GOL/VarigMarriott 60K:25KNone, but partners with select airlines like Delta.Miles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity.
HainanMarriott 60K:25KNoneYou must redeem or earn 1 mile every 24 months to extend the validity of your miles.
HawaiianAMEX 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:25K
None, but partners with several airlines.No Expiration.
IberiaAMEX 1K:1K (1 day)

BA 1K:1K (Instant)

Capital One, via BA 1K:1K (Instant)

Chase 1K:1K (Instant)

Citi, via Qatar 1K:1K (1-2 days)

Marriott 60K:25K
OneWorldYou must redeem or earn 1 mile every 36 months to extend the validity of your miles.
JALBarclays 1.7K:1K

Marriott 60K:25K
OneWorldMiles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity.
Jet Airways IntermilesBarclays 1.4K:1K

Citi 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:25K
None, but partners with select airlines like United.Miles expire at the end of each quarter, 3 years after they were earned, regardless of activity.
JetblueAMEX 250:200 (Instant)

Chase 1K:1K (Instant)

Citi 1K:1K (Instant)
NoneNo Expiration.
Korean Marriott 60K:20KSkyteamMiles expire after 10 years, regardless of activity.
LATAMMarriott 60K:25KNoneYou must earn 1 mile every 36 months from a paid LATAM flight to extend the validity of your miles.
Lufthansa Miles & MoreNoneStar AllianceMiles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity.

If you have a Miles & More credit card and use it monthly, then your miles will not expire.

If you have Miles & More elite status miles will not expire.
MalaysiaBarclays 1.4K:1K

Citi 1K:1K (1-2 days)
OneWorldMiles expire at the end of the 36th month after they were earned, regardless of activity.
QantasAMEX 500:500 (Instant)

Barclays 1.4K:1K

Capital One 1K:1K (Instant)

Citi 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:25K
OneWorldYou must redeem or earn 1 mile every 18 months to extend the validity of your miles.
QatarAMEX, 1K:1K (Instant)

BA 1K:1K (Instant)

Capital One, via BA 1K:1K (Instant)

Chase, via BA 1K:1K (Instant)

Citi 1K:1K (1-2 days)

Marriott 60K:25K
OneWorldMiles expire on 06/30 or 12/31 that occurs more than 36 months after they were earned, regardless of activity.
SaudiaMarriott 60K:25KSkyteamMiles expire on 12/31 that occurs more than 36 months after they were earned, regardless of activity.
SingaporeAMEX 1K:1K (Instant)

Capital One 1K:1K (Instant)

Chase 1K:1K (Less than 1 day)

Citi 1K:1K (1 day)

Marriott 60K:25K

Virgin Australia
1.55K:1K
Star AllianceMiles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity.
South AfricanMarriott 60K:25KStar AllianceMiles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity.
SouthwestChase 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:25K
NoneNo Expiration.
SpiritNoneNone You must earn 1 mile every 12 months to extend the validity of your miles.
TAPCapital One 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:25K
Star AllianceMiles expire after 36 months, regardless of activity.
ThaiCiti 1K:1K (3-7 days)

Marriott 60K:25K
Star AllianceMiles expire after at the end of each quarter, 3 years after they were earned, regardless of activity.
TurkishCapital One 1K:1K (Instant)

Citi 1K:1K (1 day)

Marriott 60K:25K
Star AllianceMiles expire on 12/31 that occurs more than 36 months after they were earned, regardless of activity.
United Chase 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:30K
Star AllianceNo Expiration.
Virgin AtlanticAMEX 1K:1K (Instant)

Capital One 1K:1K (Instant)

Chase 1K:1K (Instant)

Citi 1K:1K (Instant)

Marriott 60K:25K
SkyteamNo Expiration.
Virgin Australia Marriott 60K:25K

Singapore 1.55K:1K
None, but partners with select airlines like Delta, Etihad, and Singapore.You must redeem or earn 1 mile every 24 months to extend the validity of your miles.
AccorCapital One 2K:1K (1-2 days)

Citi 2K:1K
-You must redeem or earn 1 point every 12 months to extend the validity of your points.
Choice PrivilegesAMEX 1K:1K (Instant)

Capital One 1K:1K

Citi 1K:2K (Instant)
-You must redeem or earn 1 point every 18 months to extend the validity of your points.
Club CarlsonNone-You must redeem or earn 1 point every 24 months to extend the validity of your points.
HiltonAMEX 1K:2K (Instant)

Capital One via Virgin Atlantic 1K:1.5K

Chase via Virgin Atlantic 1K:1.5K

Citi TY via Virgin Atlantic: 1K:1.5K

Marriott via Virgin Atlantic 60K:37.5K
-You must redeem or earn 1 point every 24 months to extend the validity of your points.
Hyatt Chase 1K:1K (Instant)-You must redeem or earn 1 point every 24 months to extend the validity of your points.
IHGChase 1K:1K (Instant)-You must redeem or earn 1 point every 12 months to extend the validity of your points.
MarriottAMEX 1K:1K (Instant)

Chase UR 1K:1K (1 day)
-You must redeem or earn 1 point every 24 months to extend the validity of your points.

Note that transferring points and social media points do not count as activity.
WyndhamCapital One 1K:1K (Instant)

Citi 1K:1K (Instant)
-You must redeem or earn 1 point every 18 months to extend the validity of your points.
Additionally, all points expire 4 years from when they're earned regardless of activity.
AmtrakJetBlue 2:1 (Same day)-You must redeem or earn 1 point every 24 months to extend the validity of your points.

Find a mistake? Is your favorite program not on the list? Post a comment!

Leave a Reply

22 Comments On "When Do My Miles Or Points Expire?"

All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions aren’t provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.

Chaim

What about Emirates and Qatar? And Cathay Pacific?

Uri

In Air Canada’s Aeroplan, miles of children (below 18) do not expire.

Mosh

How about adding how fast the transfer takes. Thanks for the post.

lotofsimcha

Dan,

Nice chart thanks so much…. I was wondering if you can color coat the transfer options or do another post indicating your thoughts on the value of the transfer option… Meaning a good transfer (good $ value) would be in green font, an ok transfer option would be in blue, and bad transfer option would be in red

MILES

MILES & MORE No Exp. if u have the credit card

newdanfan

Wow! This is amazing! What are the options of earning at least one mile on an airline? For example, to maintain United miles, must one fly to earn at least a mile or are there other options or tricks?

jake

@newdanfan:

I am interested in this as well. I have 5K US Airways set to expire in 2 months. While not tha tmuch, would rather retain. How can I earn or spend 1 mile easily?

Shmuel2004

Britihs Airways miles expire when you cancel the card. I was even told that booked flights would be cancelled if I cancelled the card. Is that true?

MEIR613
Dan

@Chaim:
The chart includes the most popular airlines.
There’s always google for the other hundreds of airlines.

@Uri:
Updated!

@Mosh:
Most AMEX and Chase transfers are instant though ANA and Singapore can take a day or 2.
Starwood transfers take from 2 days to 2 weeks, it’s quite variable and hard to pin down exactly.

@lotofsimcha:
What’s good for one person is bad for the next…

@MILES:
Updated!

@newdanfan:
You do not need to fly, lots of ways to get miles.

@jake:
I’ll make a post for you guys soon.

@Shmuel2004:
Lol, most definitely not.
That’s just a scare tactic. The correct info is in this post.

Mendel

Dumb question: I keep seeing that people “SM” for more points. What does “SM” mean?

Dan
Davidd

do all programs(hotels/airlines/credit cards) warn you when points or miles are about about to expire?

Buenos Naches

@Davidd – no, they don’t – and many times if they do, those expiration warnings come from unfamiliar web addresses that always seem to end up in my junk folder…Awardwallet.com(and probably others) does keep track of expiration dates of most hotel and airline mile programs if you upgrade to their “plus” level, but not all.

papa

Do i have to transfer Amex points to other account for it not to expire when closing a card, or is having another open card enough? If enough, can business hold for consumer and vice versa?

danfan

hi dan, is it still possible to get the chase united bonus offer of 50k and how?

esther12

so if i have delta amex miles, i was told they are not worth a lot, but i could transfer them into my startwood account and sell them?

Yaakov

What’s the best thing to do with my five-year-old’s 15,000 AA miles before they expire?

modhe

if i transfer from my spg acct to my wife is that like earned poin,and help out the activty

Dan

@papa:
Generally you just have one AMEX point account for all your cards.
If you have more than one than transfer before you close.

@danfan:
http://www.dansdeals.com/go/United1/

Add an authorized user and SM once you get it to be matched to the 55K+$50 offer.

@esther12:
Once they’re in Delta they can’t be transferred.

@Yaakov:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/30303

@modhe:
I don’t think that will count as earning or burning.

newdanfan

Dan, can you please post your ideas for tracking miles and expiration dates. Most programs have now starting excluding airline miles from tracking. what would you suggest is the best way to track expiration dates?

Mendy

fix the jet blue info- miles dont expire..

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