When do travel rewards expire? A guide to expiration policies for popular loyalty programs

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

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

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

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.