Expiring rewards in 2024? A list of loyalty programs and their rewards expiration policies
As the end of the year approaches, odds are you're doing a travel rewards self-audit. Do you know which points, certificates, vouchers and credits will disappear at midnight on Jan. 1, 2024?
You obviously don't want to leave value on the table if you can help it. Here's a quick look at popular loyalty programs and their rewards expiration policies.
Do points and miles expire?
If you're an avid collector of travel rewards, you can bet that most of the currencies you've amassed have an expiration date. 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.
To boot, some points and miles will never expire as long as you have a credit card that earns those rewards. For example, World of Hyatt points will never expire if you have a Hyatt credit card. Likewise, Chase Ultimate Rewards points won't expire if you hold a Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card.
But here's the more important point: Even if the rewards you have never expire, you shouldn't drag your feet in redeeming them. We routinely see loyalty program devaluations that weaken the value of rewards. All this to say, it's likely that the points you have will never be worth more than they are right now.
Do airline 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 date it's issued or 30 days from the date of your modification, whichever is greater. You can purchase a new ticket up to 11 months beyond the expiration date, but you must use it to pay for the flight before it expires.
Similarly, those who hold either the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card or the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card will receive Alaska's Famous Companion Fare each cardmember year after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. This allows you to book your travel buddy a round-trip economy flight from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23). These fare codes generally must be redeemed within 12 months of the issue date, though you can book travel within 12 months beyond the issue date.
American Airlines
Those with unused or canceled tickets will receive a flight credit for future travel with American Airlines. To use them, you must book travel within one year of the original ticket date.
You may also receive a trip credit for a number of reasons, including as a refund, as compensation or when you don't fully use a flight credit. Trip credits expire one year from the date they are issued unless otherwise specified.
Finally, you'll receive a travel voucher, which is issued as a paper voucher. These must be used one year from the date they are issued.
Holders of select American Airlines credit cards even have the opportunity to earn a companion certificate each year after meeting annual spending requirements. These are generally only valid for one year. You can earn this certificate with cards such as the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® and the AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®.
The information for the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard and AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Best uses of American Airlines 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 purchase.
Also, those with a valid Delta credit card will receive an annual companion certificate, allowing you to bring a travel partner along with you on a round-trip domestic flight for just the cost of taxes and fees. These certificates expire 12 months after the date they are issued. You can earn these certificates each cardmember year when holding the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
Related: Your complete guide to the Delta SkyMiles program
Frontier Airlines
Frontier often only issues flight credits and vouchers (or electronic travel certificates) with a 90-day shelf life. However, you can book travel beyond that window.
Southwest Airlines
When you cancel a nonrefundable Southwest flight, you'll receive a flight credit to use toward future Southwest flights. This credit does not expire. Southwest LUV Vouchers, on the other hand, are doled out as compensation for things like flight delays. These expire after one year of the issue date.
It's worth noting that those with LUV Vouchers approaching expiration should be able to redeem them for a flight and then cancel — thus turning it into a flight credit with no expiration.
You may also earn the Southwest Companion Pass after taking 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. This pass allows you to bring a travel companion every time you fly Southwest for just the cost of the taxes and fees. The Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the year in which you earn it, as well as the following calendar year. In other words, if you earn it in Feb. 2024, it'll expire on Dec. 31, 2025.
Related: How to redeem your points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards program
United Airlines
If you change or cancel your trip or change your United flight to a less expensive option, you'll receive a future flight credit. To use it, your future trip must begin within one year of issuance.
You may also receive a travel certificate, which is a gesture of goodwill by 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 to redeem it — so you can book a trip well beyond the expiration date.
Do hotel credits 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. However, it's worth noting that Choice points expire after 18 months of inactivity. You can reset the clock by simply earning or redeeming points.
Hilton
Hilton free night certificates are valid for nearly any Hilton hotel on the planet (minus a few exceptions). If you can find standard rooms for sale for up to 150,000 Hilton Honors points, you can likely use a Hilton free night certificate there.
These certificates normally expire within one year of the issue date. Hilton issues annual free night certificates to select Hilton credit card holders, some of which require that you achieve a yearly spending threshold, such as the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. You can earn a free night reward after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on the card within a calendar year.
Hilton points expire after 24 months of account inactivity. As long as you earn or redeem points at least once during that time, the expiration clock will reset.
Hyatt
Hyatt issues free nights in more ways than one. You can earn them by holding (and spending on) the World of Hyatt Credit Card. Cardholders will receive 1 free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your cardmember anniversary. Cardholders can also earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
Additionally, Hyatt enthusiasts can earn a free award night via Milestone Rewards, which you can achieve by completing a specific number of stays or earning a specific amount of base points in a calendar year.
Free night certificates earned from the Hyatt credit card are valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. Free night certificates earned as a Milestone Reward are valid for 180 days from the date of issuance.
Additionally, World of Hyatt points will expire after 24 months of account inactivity. You can reset the clock by earning or redeeming points. Even holding an active Hyatt credit card associated with your account will keep your points active.
IHG Hotels & Resorts
If you hold the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, you'll 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 a free night certificate that expires within 12 months from the issue date.
IHG One Rewards points expire after 12 months of inactivity for those without elite status. If you have elite status (which you can achieve simply by holding any IHG credit card), your points will never expire.
Marriott
Marriott offers free night awards of varying values. You can earn them by holding a Marriott credit card, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, which offers one free award night each year after your card account anniversary. This award night can only be redeemed at a participating hotel with a redemption level under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Certain hotels have resort fees.
You can also earn a free night award by selecting them as an Annual Choice Benefit after staying a certain number of nights. Either way, the certificates are valid for one year after they are issued.
Marriott Bonvoy points will expire if your account is inactive for 24 months. But again, you can prevent expiration by simply earning or redeeming points.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
You can't earn a free night certificate with Wyndham Rewards. As a result, you can only stay for free by using points.
Wyndham points expire after 18 months of account inactivity. Additionally, points you earn from a hotel stay may expire four years after your checkout date — even if your account is active.
Credit card statement credits
It's worth noting that some hotel credits aren't directly tied to an airline or hotel loyalty program. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers up to $50 in annual credit toward prepaid hotels booked through the Chase travel portal. This expires and resets each account anniversary.
Also, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers up to a $200 prepaid hotel credit when booking through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection. It also comes with up to $200 in annual airline incidental fees (enrollment required). Both of these perks expire on Dec. 31 if not used.
Some cards also offer annual credits that cover just about anything travel related. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with up to $300 in credits to offset travel on each member's anniversary.
These perks allow (or in some cases require) that you prepay for your travel, so you should be able to use them for travel beyond their expiration dates.
Bottom line
Some travel certificates expire at the end of each year. Many others expire a specific number of months after they are issued. Before the end of the year, it's worth combing through your stash of certificates, awards and vouchers to ensure that you don't let anything go to waste.