Maximizing your travel rewards for the New Year: Tips to keep them from expiring

The new year is a great time to review your airline miles and hotel points. We want to give you some great tips to help you not lose your precious travel awards.

Here are our best tips along with a bonus tip:

TIP #1

The best way to keep your points and miles from expiring is to book travel to

keep your account active.

TIP #2

Keep track of your rewards expiration dates and check the program terms

and conditions to stay informed. Award wallet is a great free tool to help with

reminders and it supports most loyalty program except American and United.  

TIP #3

You can reinstate points for a fee but some of them might do it free of charge by calling customer service and simply asking.

BONUS TIP:

Subscribe to program newsletters and travel blogs, so you can keep up with any changes.

Here are the airline and hotel rules for reference:

Airline mile rules:

Delta, United, Jet Blue and Southwest miles don’t expire.

Alaska Air, American, Frontier, Spirit airlines will expire if you are inactive for 18-24 months.

Hotel point rules:

Most hotels like Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt points will expire if you are inactive for 18 to 24 months.  Please note that Marriott Bonvoy allows you to use points to get gift cards for travel, shopping, and dining. This will allow you to keep account active. 

Please note: program rules and point values can change.

Remember, your travel rewards are a valuable asset and you should make the most of them.

Hope you get to use them for some amazing travel destinations in 2024!

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