Airline & Hotel Point Expirations

A lot can happen with a trip you've planned: booking, canceling, re-booking, changes. That's why it's important to make sure you know where all of your points are, and equally important, if and when those points may expire.

Points attached to your credit card (Amex, Capital One, Chase, etc.) don't have an expiration date, but any points that have been earned with or transferred to an airline or hotel partner may expire. Knowing where your points stand can be difficult, which is why we typically recommend using AwardWallet, a great program that allows you to link your credit card, airline, and hotel accounts to track your points and rewards within each. You may sign up for AwardWallet HERE.

But what happens when an expiration date for your points is approaching, what can you do to retain your hard earned points & miles?

How can I keep my airline miles in my account?

• Take a flight

• Open a co-branded credit card

• Join shopping portals or dining programs with partnerships with the airline. Program examples:

  • United — United MileagePlus Dining or sign-up for and shop through MileagePlus X

  • Alaska — Alaska Airlines Mileage Dining Plan

  • American — American Airlines AAdvantage Dining

  • Delta — Delta SkyMiles Dining

  • Southwest — Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining

• Transfer miles into the program from Chase, American Express, Citi, or Capital One

• American Airlines specific: You can log into your AwardWallet account, click Blog, and make a comment on any of their posts. So long as your comment is substantial in nature and not just saying “Hi.” to the group, you will earn 5 AA points immediately, resetting the expiration clock.

How can I keep my hotel points in my account?

• Stay at least one night

• Open a co-branded credit card

• Join shopping portals or dining programs with partnerships with the hotel. Program examples:

  • Hilton — Hilton Honors Dining

  • IHG — IHG Rewards Club Dining

• Transfer points into the program from Chase, American Express, or Citi

I read this article too late and my points have expired. What can I do?

Let’s hope this isn’t the case, as many programs do not offer recourse if your points/miles have expired. There are a few exceptions though:

• Alaska Airlines allows you to pay $75 to reinstate your points up to one year after their expiration.

• American Airlines will charge you somewhere between $40 and $2,000 to reinstate your points, depending on the number that expired.

• British Airways is nice enough not to charge you a fee to reinstate your miles, but they will require you to get on the phone and call their customer service line to request the reinstatement.

If your points & miles are expiring and you need ideas to help reset the clock, reach out to Wealth@TravelWealth.com.