How Airline Miles Expire — and Which Programs Let You Keep Them
When your airline miles actually expire
Most airlines expire miles if you have no account activity for 12 to 36 months. The clock resets every time you earn or spend miles, book a flight, or sometimes just log into your account. The exact timeline and what counts as activity depends entirely on the airline — there is no federal rule, and policies vary widely even among major carriers.
The key detail: inactivity is what triggers expiration, not the age of the miles themselves. A mile you earned five years ago stays valid as long as your account stays active. But if you stop flying and stop earning miles, that same mile can vanish in as little as one year with some carriers.
Key Takeaways
- Most major airlines expire miles after 12 to 36 months of no account activity, but the specific timeline and what counts as activity varies by carrier.
- Logging into your account, booking a flight, or earning miles through a credit card partner typically resets the expiration clock without requiring you to fly.
- Some airlines allow you to donate miles, transfer them to a travel partner, or pay a fee to restore expired miles, but these options are not universal.
- Regional and international carriers often have different expiration rules than U.S. legacy airlines, so check your specific program's terms before assuming a standard timeline.
How different airlines define "activity"
Activity that resets your expiration clock usually includes flying, earning miles through a credit card, or booking a paid flight ticket. Many airlines also count account logins, transfers between members, or redemptions. Some count dining programs or hotel stays if you link those accounts.
The catch: not all activity counts equally. United Airlines, for example, resets your clock if you earn miles through their credit card or fly, but logging in alone does not prevent expiration. American Airlines counts credit card spending, flights, and transfers. Delta counts flights, credit card activity, and transfers. Southwest does not expire miles at all — they remain valid as long as your account exists.
Before relying on a specific activity to keep your miles, check your airline's website for the exact policy. "Activity" is defined differently enough that a move that works for one carrier might not work for another.
Expiration timelines by major carrier
| Airline | Expiration Timeline | What Resets the Clock |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest | No expiration | N/A |
| Delta | 36 months of inactivity | Flying, credit card spending, transfers, redemptions |
| United | 36 months of inactivity | Flying, credit card spending, transfers, redemptions |
| American | 36 months of inactivity | Flying, credit card spending, transfers, redemptions |
| Alaska | 24 months of inactivity | Flying, credit card spending, transfers, redemptions |
| JetBlue | 12 months of inactivity | Flying, credit card spending, transfers, redemptions |
These timelines are current but subject to change. Check your airline's website for the most recent policy, especially if you have not flown in over a year.
How to prevent miles from expiring
The simplest way to keep miles active is to earn or spend them regularly. If you hold an airline credit card, even occasional spending keeps your account active with most carriers. A single purchase every few years is usually enough to reset the clock.
If you do not fly often, consider transferring miles to a travel partner or family member. Most airlines allow transfers, and the transfer itself counts as account activity. Some programs let you transfer to a spouse or household member at no cost; others charge a small fee per transfer. The transfer resets your expiration date even if the miles never get used.
Another option: donate miles to a charity. Many airlines partner with nonprofits that accept mile donations. This counts as account activity and prevents expiration. It also generates a tax deduction if you itemize.
What happens if your miles expire
Once miles expire, they are gone. Most airlines do not restore them automatically, and you cannot recover them just by flying again. The account stays open, but the balance returns to zero.
Some airlines offer a one-time restoration option for a fee. United, American, and Delta all allow you to restore expired miles, but the cost is usually high — often $50 to $100 or more depending on how many miles you want back. You typically have a limited window (often one to two years after expiration) to restore them before the option closes.
Check your airline's website if you realize miles have expired. The restoration option may still be available, and the fee might be worth it if you have a large balance.
Regional and international carriers
Smaller U.S. carriers and international airlines often have different expiration rules. Spirit and Frontier expire miles after 12 months of inactivity. Air Canada expires miles after 36 months. British Airways expires Avios after 36 months of no activity on the account. Lufthansa expires miles after 36 months.
If you fly with a regional or international carrier, do not assume the same timeline as the major U.S. airlines. Check the specific program's terms. Some smaller carriers are stricter about expiration, while others are more lenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does logging into my account prevent miles from expiring?
It depends on the airline. Some carriers count logins as activity, but most do not. United, American, and Delta do not reset your expiration clock from a login alone. To be safe, earn or spend miles, use a credit card, or make a transfer instead of relying on a login.
Can I transfer miles to someone else to keep them from expiring?
Yes. Transferring miles counts as account activity with most airlines and resets your expiration clock. The recipient's miles do not expire just because they received them — the transfer itself is what prevents expiration on your end. Some airlines charge a fee per transfer, usually $15 to $50.
What if I have miles that already expired?
Contact your airline to see if they offer a restoration option. United, American, and Delta allow one-time restoration for a fee, usually $50 to $100 or more. You typically have one to two years after expiration to restore them. After that window closes, the miles are permanently gone.
Does using an airline credit card keep my miles from expiring?
Yes, with most carriers. Credit card spending counts as account activity and resets your expiration clock. You do not have to fly — a single credit card purchase every few years is usually enough to keep your account active. Check your specific airline's policy to confirm.
Do miles expire if I transfer them to a partner airline?
No. Once you transfer miles to a partner airline's program, they follow that program's expiration rules, not your original airline's. Some partner programs have longer expiration timelines or no expiration at all. Check the partner program's policy before transferring.