Most credit card points never expire, but the rules depend on your card and issuer
The short answer: points on most major credit cards do not expire as long as your account stays open and in good standing. But some cards have expiration rules, and a few issuers will let points sit unused for years before they vanish. The real risk is not time passing—it is closing the account or letting it go inactive, which can trigger forfeiture rules you did not know existed.
The expiration policy is written in your card's terms and conditions, not on the marketing materials. Most people never read it until they have a problem. This guide walks you through what actually happens to points, which cards have time limits, and what moves will cost you the points you earned.
Key Takeaways
- Points on cards from major issuers like Chase, American Express, and Capital One do not expire as long as your account remains open and active.
- Some cards have inactivity rules: if you do not use the card for 12 months or longer, the issuer may close the account and forfeit your points.
- Closing a credit card account yourself almost always forfeits any remaining points—they do not transfer to another card or convert to cash.
- A few store cards and smaller issuers do impose time limits on points themselves, separate from account closure rules.
- The safest way to keep points is to use the card at least once per year and keep the account open, even if you use other cards more often.
How the major issuers handle point expiration
Chase, American Express, Capital One, Discover, and Bank of America all state in their terms that points do not expire. That means a point earned today can sit in your account for 10 years, 20 years, or longer without disappearing—as long as the account itself stays open.
The catch is the word "open." An open account means you have not closed it and the issuer has not closed it for inactivity. Most issuers will close a card if you do not use it for 12 months or more. When they close the account, any points in it are forfeited. You lose them. They do not move to another card, and you cannot cash them out.
This is why the real expiration rule is not about time—it is about use. A card you never touch will eventually be closed, and that closure will erase your points. A card you use once a year will stay open indefinitely, and your points will accumulate.
What happens when you close your account
If you close a credit card account yourself, any points you have not redeemed are gone. They do not transfer to another card from the same issuer, and they do not convert to cash. Most issuers will not even let you redeem points after you have submitted a closure request—the points vanish when the account closes.
The one exception is if you have a rewards account that spans multiple cards from the same issuer. American Express, for example, lets you pool points across multiple American Express cards into a single rewards account. If you close one card but keep another open, the points from the closed card stay in your pooled account. But this only works if you keep at least one card open with that issuer.
Before you close any card, log in and redeem your points. Do not assume you can redeem them later or transfer them. Once the account is closed, they are lost.
Store cards and smaller issuers with real expiration dates
A small number of cards do impose actual time limits on points, separate from account closure. Some retail store cards and cards from smaller banks or credit unions state that points expire after a set period—often 12 to 24 months of inactivity, or sometimes after a fixed number of years regardless of use.
These policies are less common than they used to be, but they still exist. The only way to know whether your card has one is to read the rewards terms in your account or call the issuer. If the terms say "points expire after X months of inactivity" or "points expire on [date]," then you have a real deadline. Mark it in your calendar and redeem before it passes.
If you are unsure, assume the safest rule: use the card at least once per year and redeem your points before they sit unused for more than 12 months. That protects you against both account closure and any hidden expiration rule.
The inactivity rule that closes your account
Most credit card issuers reserve the right to close an account if there is no activity for 12 months. Activity usually means a purchase, balance transfer, or cash advance—not just logging in or checking your balance. Some issuers are stricter and close accounts after 6 months of inactivity; others are more lenient and wait 24 months.
When an issuer closes an account for inactivity, they typically send you a notice first, giving you a window to use the card and keep it open. But the notice may go to an old address or get lost in the mail. The safest move is to use the card yourself at least once a year—a small purchase at a gas station or grocery store is enough. That single transaction keeps the account active and prevents closure.
If your account is closed for inactivity, your points are forfeited at the same time. You cannot recover them after the fact. The issuer is not required to let you redeem them or transfer them. They are simply gone.
How to protect your points from expiration
The simplest protection is to use your card at least once every 12 months. This keeps the account open and prevents the inactivity closure that would erase your points. You do not need to carry a balance or spend a lot—one small purchase per year is enough.
If you have multiple cards and want to focus on one, keep the others active with occasional small purchases. Set a phone reminder for once a year if you tend to forget. Many people set a recurring calendar alert in January or on their birthday.
Redeem your points regularly rather than letting them accumulate indefinitely. There is no benefit to hoarding points, and the longer they sit, the higher the risk that something goes wrong—account closure, issuer policy change, or a lost redemption opportunity. Redeem when you have enough for something you actually want, rather than waiting for a perfect moment that may never come.
If you are closing a card, redeem your points before you submit the closure request. Do not wait until after the account is closed. Once it is closed, the points are forfeited and cannot be recovered.
What to do if your points have already expired
If your account was closed for inactivity and your points were forfeited, contact the issuer and ask whether they will restore them as a one-time courtesy. Some issuers will, especially if the account was closed due to a system error or if you have been a long-standing customer. There is no may provide, but it is worth asking.
Explain that you were not aware of the inactivity rule and ask whether the points can be restored to a new or existing account. Be polite and specific about when you last used the card and when you discovered the points were gone. Some issuers have discretion to make exceptions, and a straightforward request sometimes works.
If the issuer refuses, you have no recourse. Points are not insured or protected by law. Once they are forfeited, they are gone. This is why prevention—using the card once a year—is so much easier than trying to recover points after they are lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do points expire if I stop using my card but keep the account open?
No, as long as the account stays open. The issuer will not close it if you have an active balance or if you use it occasionally. But if you do not use the card for 12 months or longer, the issuer may close it for inactivity, and that closure will forfeit your points. Use the card at least once per year to be safe.
What if I have points on a card I want to close?
Redeem your points before you close the account. Once the account is closed, any remaining points are forfeited and cannot be recovered. Log in, redeem what you have, and then submit your closure request.
Can I transfer points from one card to another if I close the first card?
Not after closure. Points must be redeemed or transferred before the account closes. If the issuer offers a rewards program that spans multiple cards, you may be able to pool points across cards, but only if you keep at least one card open with that issuer.
How do I know if my card has an expiration date on points?
Check your card's rewards terms in your online account or call the issuer's customer service number on the back of your card. Ask specifically whether points expire after a period of inactivity or on a set date. If the answer is yes, mark the deadline and redeem before it passes.
Will the issuer notify me before my points expire?
Most issuers will send a notice if they plan to close your account for inactivity, but notices can be missed or sent to an old address. Do not rely on a notice. Use your card at least once per year to prevent closure and keep your points safe.