It’s frustrating when you realize that those hard-earned airline miles you’ve been collecting are about to expire. Losing miles is more common than you might think, with many travelers unaware of the expiration terms until it’s too late. Staying on top of your frequent flyer accounts isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential to get the most out of the rewards you've earned. Fortunately, there are practical steps you can take to protect your airline miles and ensure they’re there when you’re ready to use them. Here’s how you can safeguard your points and keep them from disappearing.
Why Do Airline Miles Expire?
Airlines don’t want you to sit on miles forever, so most frequent flyer programs attach expiration dates to your points. These deadlines are meant to encourage frequent use or engagement with their services. Typically, miles expire if your account shows no activity for a set period, which can vary depending on the airline. For instance, some major airlines require activity within 18 months to 2 years. Understanding the terms of your chosen airline is the first step in protecting your miles.
Expiration Policies of Major Airlines
Each airline sets its own rules for mileage expiration, which can catch even seasoned travelers off guard. Here’s a quick look at the policies of some popular airlines:
- United Airlines: Good news for United flyers—your miles won’t expire anymore. United did away with expiration dates, so you don’t have to worry about losing your balance due to inactivity.
- Delta Air Lines: Delta also no longer expires its miles, giving you the flexibility to use them at your convenience without the stress of an expiration clock.
- American Airlines: AA miles expire after 24 months of inactivity. To keep them active, you just need to show some form of activity, whether it’s earning or redeeming miles.
How Inactivity Can Cause Expiration
Inactivity is the main reason miles expire, and it often sneaks up on travelers. If you aren’t booking flights or engaging with your frequent flyer program in any way, your miles are at risk. But don’t panic—there are ways to keep your account active without having to book a flight.
Top Tips to Keep Your Airline Miles Active
Alongside redeeming miles for everyday purchases or engaging with airline partners, consider turning your unused miles into something tangible before they expire. The Miles Market offers a way to convert your idle miles into cash, so you can make the most of your rewards even if you don’t have an immediate travel plan. Whether you’re buying or selling, this secure marketplace helps you unlock the value of your miles and keep your rewards from going to waste.
Use Miles for Everyday Purchases
One way to prevent your miles from expiring is to use them on everyday purchases. Many airlines let you redeem miles for non-flight options, including magazine subscriptions, gift cards, or online shopping. It’s a simple way to put your miles to work without needing to step onto a plane. Check your airline’s rewards store to explore these options and make sure your miles don’t go to waste.
Engage with Airline Partners
Another way to keep your miles active is by earning through airline partners. Many frequent flyer programs are linked to services like car rentals, hotels, and dining programs. You can earn miles when you book a rental car or stay at a hotel that partners with your airline. Some programs even let you earn miles by dining out. So, whether you're renting a car or having dinner, keep those points rolling in by using partnered services.
Simple Ways to Extend the Life of Your Miles
Sometimes life gets busy, and flying may not be on the agenda. But that doesn’t mean your miles should expire. Here are some creative ways to extend their life.
Donate or Share Your Airline Miles
Did you know that you can donate miles to charity or transfer them to friends and family? Not only does this help a good cause or give a gift to someone you know, but it also resets the expiration date on your remaining miles. Most airlines offer this option, and it’s an easy way to make sure your points don’t expire while also doing something good.
Sign Up for Airline Credit Cards
If you’re serious about keeping your miles active, signing up for a co-branded airline credit card is one of the best strategies. These cards allow you to earn miles on everyday purchases, from groceries to gas. Each time you make a purchase, you're keeping your account active. It’s an effortless way to prevent your miles from expiring, even if you’re not traveling frequently.
What to Do If Your Miles Are About to Expire
If you’re in a time crunch and your miles are close to expiring, there are still ways to save them. Don’t lose your rewards just because you weren’t paying attention to your account.
Book a Low-Cost Flight or Hotel Stay
One quick way to extend the life of your miles is to book a low-cost rewards flight or a hotel stay. Even a short domestic flight or a single-night stay at a partner hotel can keep your account active. This method is ideal if you’ve got enough miles for a small redemption but don’t have a big trip in mind.
Buy Miles to Prevent Expiration
In some cases, you can even buy a small number of miles directly from the airline to extend your account’s expiration date. While buying miles isn’t always the best value, it can be a useful option if your miles are about to expire and you don’t have time to book a trip.
Tools and Services to Track Your Airline Miles
Managing multiple frequent flyer accounts can feel like a juggling act. Fortunately, there are several tools available to help you stay organized and ensure your miles don’t expire.
Use Mileage Tracking Apps
Apps like AwardWallet and TripIt are great for tracking your airline miles and points across multiple programs. These services alert you when your miles are nearing expiration, so you’ll always be one step ahead. Having all your accounts in one place makes it easier to keep track of everything without the stress of manually monitoring each program.
Stay Updated with Airline Notifications
Don’t forget to sign up for email alerts and app notifications from your airline. These can notify you of any changes to your account, including when your miles are about to expire. Staying in the loop with notifications is a simple way to prevent unwanted surprises.
Losing airline miles doesn’t have to be a reality. By staying proactive, using your miles wisely, and taking advantage of tools and services, you can protect your airline miles from expiring and continue to enjoy the rewards of frequent flyer programs. Take action now—whether it's booking a flight, donating, or converting your miles into cash through The Miles Market, there are plenty of ways to ensure you get the most from your rewards.
