Do Credit Card Rewards Expire? How to Keep Your Points From Disappearing
If you’ve been saving up points or cash back for a big redemption, you may be wondering: do credit card rewards expire? The honest answer is — it depends on the card and the issuer. Some rewards never expire as long as your account stays open. Others can disappear after a period of inactivity, if your account is closed, or even after a fixed time window. Understanding the rules that apply to your specific card is the best way to protect the value you’ve already earned.
Why Rewards Expiration Policies Vary So Much
Credit card rewards programs are set by individual issuers — not a single governing body — so the rules differ widely from card to card. A points-based travel card from one bank might have completely different expiration terms than a cash back card from another. The type of reward currency also plays a role: proprietary points (issued by a bank’s own loyalty program) tend to have stricter rules than simple cash back, which usually posts directly to your statement.
Before you assume your rewards are safe, it’s worth taking a few minutes to review the terms and conditions of your specific card. Look for language around “points expiration,” “reward forfeiture,” or “account inactivity.”
The Most Common Reasons Credit Card Rewards Expire
1. Account Inactivity
Many issuers define an “active” account as one where you’ve made at least one purchase within a certain timeframe — often 12 to 24 months. If you go too long without using your card, the issuer may zero out your rewards balance. This is one of the most common — and most preventable — reasons people lose points.
2. Account Closure
Whether you close the account yourself or the issuer closes it due to inactivity or non-payment, most programs will forfeit your unredeemed rewards immediately upon closure. This is especially important to keep in mind if you’re thinking about canceling a card you rarely use. Consider redeeming any remaining balance before you make that call.
3. Fixed Expiration Windows
Some programs — particularly co-branded retail or airline cards — assign an expiration date to points earned in a given period. Points might expire after 18 or 24 months from the date they were earned, regardless of how active your account is. These programs are less common with major bank cards, but they do exist.
4. Program Changes or Devaluations
Issuers occasionally restructure their rewards programs, which can affect the redemption value of your points — or in rare cases, introduce new expiration policies with limited notice. Staying subscribed to your card issuer’s email communications can help you catch these changes early.
💡 Quick Tip
Even if you don’t need to spend on a card, making one small purchase every 6 to 12 months — a coffee, a streaming subscription — is usually enough to reset the inactivity clock and keep your rewards balance intact.
Which Major Issuers Let Rewards Expire?
Policies vary, but here’s a general overview of how the major issuers typically handle rewards expiration. Always verify directly with your issuer, as terms can change.
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards points generally do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close a card that earns Ultimate Rewards, you’ll typically have a short window to transfer or redeem your points before they’re forfeited. Chase is generally considered one of the more flexible programs in this regard. See our guide to the best Chase credit cards if you want to explore your options within that ecosystem.
American Express Membership Rewards
Amex Membership Rewards points also do not expire as long as your account is open. However, closing your Amex card that earns Membership Rewards — especially if it’s your only one — can result in losing your entire balance. If you hold multiple Amex cards linked to Membership Rewards, your points may be preserved. Our best Amex credit cards roundup covers the full range of options.
Capital One Miles
Capital One miles generally do not expire and are not subject to inactivity-based forfeiture, making it a relatively low-maintenance program for occasional users.
Cash Back Cards
Most straightforward cash back cards — where rewards post as a statement credit or direct deposit — have no expiration date, since the balance functions more like money in an account. That said, closing the account before redeeming can still result in forfeiture on some cards. If simplicity and longevity matter to you, browsing the best cash back credit cards is a smart starting point.
Do Credit Card Rewards Expire After Inactivity? What to Watch For
Inactivity is the silent killer of rewards balances. Many cardholders forget about a secondary card they opened for a sign-up bonus and never use it again. Months or years later, they log in to find a zero balance where thousands of points used to be.
To avoid this, build a simple habit: check each of your rewards card balances at least once a quarter. Most issuers make this easy through their mobile apps or online dashboards. If you notice a card sitting idle, either make a small purchase to keep it active or redeem your points before the inactivity window closes.
Practical Steps to Protect Your Rewards Balance
Redeem Before You Close
Never close a rewards card without first redeeming your entire balance. Even if the redemption options aren’t ideal at that moment, getting something is always better than losing everything. Some issuers allow you to transfer points to a partner program before closing, which may preserve their value.
Set Calendar Reminders
If you hold multiple cards — especially any you use infrequently — set a recurring reminder every 6 months to log in, check balances, and make a small purchase on any card that’s been sitting idle.
Understand Your Program’s Rules
Take 10 minutes to read the rewards terms for each card you hold. Pay specific attention to what counts as “qualifying activity,” whether points are forfeited at closure, and whether there’s a fixed expiration window. This single step can save you from an unpleasant surprise later.
Consider Cards With No Expiration as a Feature
If you find expiration policies stressful to manage, it’s worth prioritizing cards that explicitly advertise no points or cash back expiration as a feature. Many of the top rewards cards now offer this as a selling point precisely because cardholders have made it a priority.