Do Hotel Points Expire?
We often spend time amassing points but eventually, and focus on transferrable currencies as much as possible, but at some point we start earning hotel points and airline miles. Because of that one of the most popular questions in the ToP Facebook Group is, do hotel points expire? The short of it is that yes they do. Don't panic though, they are fairly easy to keep alive if you know the rules. That is why I wanted to put together this guide on hotel program point expiration policies. This is similar to what we have done with airline miles expiration policies.
The Expiration Policy for Each Major Hotel Program
We have broken down each major program in the chart below by program and policy.
Quick Guide Chart
| Hotel Loyalty Program | Expiration Policy |
| Best Western | They never expire |
| Choice | 18 months of inactivity |
| Hilton | 24 consecutive months of inactivity |
| Hyatt | 24 consecutive months of inactivity (Unless credit card holder) |
| IHG | 12 months of inactivity (Unless Elite Member) |
| Marriott | 24 months of inactivity |
| Radisson | 24 consecutive months of inactivity |
| Wyndham | 18 months of inactivity |
How To Keep Your Hotel Points Active
Here are some options for each major hotel program for keeping your hotel points from expiring.
How To Keep Hotel Points From Expiring From Inactivity
Here are the ways that work for any hotel chain:
- Paid stays at one of their hotels
- Room charges on award stays that are paid at checkout will often earn hotel points
- Transferring points from another program / transferrable currency works for some programs
- Redeeming points for an award booking (even if you cancel it later it will often reset things)
- Buying points
- Donating some points
- Book hotel program experiences
Below are some things that are specific to each brand.
Choice Hotels
Hilton
- Using a Hilton credit card
- Lyft rides or other partners
- Hilton's dining program
- Register for a Hilton Honors promotion
Hyatt
- Holding a World of Hyatt Credit Card as long as the card account is active
- Send or receive Hyatt points, but only once every 30 days
IHG
- Making purchases with a co-branded IHG credit card
- IHG dining rewards program
Marriott Bonvoy
- Marriott dining program
- Gifting or Transferring Points to another Member or Receiving Points as a Gift or Transfer from another Member does not count as activity.
Wynham Rewards
Do Hotel Points Expire: ToP Thoughts
Having hotel points is an important part of the hobby alone with airline miles and transferrable currencies. However, it is vital that you understand the rules when it comes to expiration dates and what keeps your points and miles active. Hopefully, these rules will help you navigate the various hotel brands and the expirations.
What are your favorite ways to keep them active? Have you lost points due to expiration? Come over to our Facebook Group and discuss.
