English edition · checked 2026-10-18

Points expiry: check the activity rule before a reset

Do not buy or transfer points just because a balance looks close to expiry. Each programme defines qualifying activity differently, and the transaction may take time to post.

Identify the programme’s expiration model

• Inactivity clock: an eligible earn or redemption can extend the expiry date of a balance, if the terms define it as qualifying activity.
• Per-batch expiry: each batch may expire based on its own posting or earning date; a later transaction may not reset earlier points.
• Status-linked protection: a hotel programme may protect points while elite status is maintained, then apply an inactivity rule after the status ends.
• Account closure and exceptions: long inactivity, programme changes, account closure or a policy violation may trigger separate terms.

These are rule patterns, not universal rules. Check the expiry date shown in your account and the current definition in the programme terms.

Examples from current official terms

American Airlines AAdvantage

AAdvantage generally uses a 24-month qualifying-activity rule. Its terms define qualifying activities, including eligible mileage from flights, partners and some purchase, gift or transfer transactions. Members under 21 and members with an open qualifying co-branded card have separate rules. An activity that extends mileage expiry does not necessarily earn Loyalty Points or offer good value.

Marriott Bonvoy

Points can be forfeited after 24 consecutive months without qualifying activity. The terms say gifting, transferring or receiving points from another member does not count. Redemptions, qualifying stays, earning or purchasing points, and activity with designated partners are treated under the current terms.

IHG One Rewards

Club-level points expire after 12 months without an earn or redeem transaction. Points do not expire under this inactivity rule while Elite membership is maintained. IHG also says the annual credit-card reward night does not count as an earn or redeem activity that prevents Club points from expiring.

Six checks before doing a small transaction

1. Sign in and note the earliest expiry date, the affected balance and your current member tier.
2. Find the programme’s definition of qualifying activity; a promotion email or card page may not describe every exception.
3. Check whether the planned action is earning, redeeming, buying, gifting, receiving, transferring or a card benefit. Similar-looking activity can be treated differently.
4. Allow time for posting. An activity that posts after the expiration date may not save a balance that has already expired.
5. Compare the transaction cost with the value of the balance at risk; do not move a much larger amount of bank points just to preserve a small balance.
6. Keep a receipt, transaction number, account record and offer terms; verify the expiry date again after the activity posts.

Do not assume these actions reset every clock

Receiving points from another account, gifting points, holding a co-branded card, receiving an annual free-night certificate or completing partner activity that has not posted may not extend an expiry date. Before buying or transferring points, check whether the destination programme expressly counts that action, when it will post, whether the balance is already expired and whether you can use the new points in time.

Official sources

• AAdvantage terms: mileage expiration and qualifying activity.
• AAdvantage FAQ: check and extend mileage expiry.
• Marriott Bonvoy terms: point expiration and qualifying activity.
• IHG One Rewards member terms: point expiry.
• Checked 18 October 2026. Account exceptions, eligible activity and terms can change; use the logged-in account and current official terms.

Keep reading: Points expiry overview · Points transfer checklist · How to redeem points and miles