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Join us in learning how to use miles & points to travel & save money!
Hello and welcome to Smart With Points, the podcast where we dive into the world of travelling with miles and points. I'm your host, Jack, and I'm excited to share with you today a complete guide to hotel loyalty programme point expiration policies and how to keep your points alive. As someone who juggles multiple hotel loyalty programmes, currently holding Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold, and Radisson VIP status, I've learned the importance of keeping track of points expiration policies the hard way. So, let's dive in and explore which hotel points expire and how you can keep them alive. First, let's take a look at the hotel programmes and their expiration policies. Best Western Rewards takes the crown with points that never expire, regardless of activity. Accor Live Limitless, on the other hand, has a 12-month inactivity policy, while Choice Privileges has an 18-month inactivity policy. Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Radisson Rewards, and World of Hyatt all have a 24-month inactivity policy, although Marriott Bonvoy points never expire for Lifetime members. And finally, Wyndham Rewards has an 18-month inactivity policy or four years from earning, whichever comes first. Now, let's talk about the never-expires club. As I mentioned earlier, Best Western Rewards points never expire, and if you've achieved Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Elite status, your points are safe forever. But for the rest of us, preventing expiration is typically quite simple. Any earning or redemption activity usually resets the clock. So, here are some easy ways to maintain activity: book a single night stay, even a cheap one; make a small points purchase; transfer points from credit card programmes; use dining programmes linked to the hotel loyalty scheme; or donate points to charity, which counts as activity in most programmes. Personally, I use my Amex Platinum Business card for regular Hilton point earnings, which keeps my Gold status active. For Marriott, my fairly frequent stays mean expiration is never an issue. However, for programmes I use less frequently, I either try not to keep any points in the account or set calendar reminders at 18 months to check my balances and take action if needed. While keeping track of multiple expiration policies might seem daunting, most programmes are quite generous with their timeframes and ways to maintain activity. The key is staying organised and having a strategy for programmes you use less frequently. Remember, these points represent real value, and I've managed to get some fantastic redemptions over the years, particularly with Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy. Don't let them disappear due to inactivity when a simple transaction could keep them alive. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Smart With Points. If you want to stay up-to-date with the latest news and tips on travelling with miles and points, be sure to subscribe to our podcast on all major platforms or visit our website at smartwithpoints.co.uk. Until next time, safe travels!