How to Track Your Airline Miles and Hotel Points

Where to check your balance and activity

The fastest way to track your miles is through the airline or hotel's website or app. Log in with the account you used to earn the points, and your current balance appears on the dashboard — usually on the home page or under "My Account." Most programs update balances within 24 hours of a purchase or flight.

If you have multiple accounts across different airlines or hotel chains, you will need to log into each one separately. There is no single dashboard that pulls balances from every program at once, though some third-party apps attempt to aggregate them (more on those below).

Phone support also works if you do not want to use the website. Call the customer service number on your membership card or the airline's website, give your membership number, and they will read your balance and recent activity over the phone. This takes longer than checking online but works if you have forgotten your password or do not have internet access.

Key Takeaways

• Each airline and hotel chain maintains its own account portal where you can see your balance, recent activity, and expiration dates.
• Balances update within 24 hours of earning or spending points, so checking the day after a trip gives you the most current number.
• Third-party tracking apps can aggregate multiple accounts in one place, but they require you to share login credentials and may not update as quickly as the official apps.
• Set a calendar reminder to check your account at least twice a year, because points can expire if you do not use them within the program's time window.
• Email notifications from the airline or hotel alert you to balance changes, expiration dates, and promotional bonuses without requiring you to log in.

Using the airline or hotel app for real-time updates

Most major airlines and hotel chains have mobile apps that show your balance instantly. Download the app, log in with your membership credentials, and your points appear on the main screen. Many apps also show you how close you are to your next reward — for example, "5,000 miles until your next free flight" — which can motivate you to earn more.

Apps often send push notifications when your account changes: when points post after a flight, when a promotional bonus arrives, or when your points are about to expire. You can usually turn these notifications on or off in the app settings. Turning them on means you will not miss an expiration date or forget about a bonus you earned.

Some apps let you search award availability and book flights or hotel stays directly from your phone, so you can see your balance and redeem points without switching between the app and a website.

Third-party aggregator apps and their trade-offs

Apps like AwardWallet, MileIQ, and similar services pull data from multiple airline and hotel accounts into one dashboard. Instead of logging into five different apps, you see all your balances in one place. These apps require you to enter your login credentials for each program, which they store securely (though you should research their privacy practices before using them).

The main drawback is that aggregator apps do not always update as quickly as the official apps. A balance change might take several hours or even a day to appear in the aggregator, whereas the airline's own app shows it within minutes. If you are tracking points for an imminent redemption, the official app is more reliable.

Aggregator apps also sometimes lose connection to an airline's system if the airline changes its website structure or security settings. When that happens, the app cannot pull your data until the developer updates it, which can take days or weeks. Check reviews before choosing an aggregator to see whether users report frequent outages.

Setting up email alerts and notifications

Most airlines and hotels let you opt into email notifications about your account. Log into your account settings and look for "Notifications," "Email Preferences," or "Account Alerts." Common alerts include: points posted to your account, promotional bonuses added, points about to expire, and changes to your membership status.

Turning on expiration alerts is especially important because points can disappear if you do not use them within a set time frame — often three years of inactivity. An email warning gives you time to book a redemption or transfer points before they vanish. Some programs also send emails about limited-time promotions or bonus opportunities that you might otherwise miss.

You can usually customize which alerts you receive, so you do not get overwhelmed with emails. If you only care about expiration dates and major bonuses, turn off the daily activity emails and keep only the important ones.

Understanding expiration policies and how to avoid losing points

Different programs have different rules about when points expire. Some airlines expire points after three years of no activity (no flights, no credit card spending, no transfers). Others never expire them. Hotel programs vary widely — some expire after two years, others after five years. A few never expire points at all.

The key word is "activity." If you fly on that airline or stay at that hotel chain even once every three years, your points clock resets and the expiration date moves forward. Using a co-branded credit card from that airline or hotel also counts as activity, so charging a purchase to the card keeps your points alive even if you do not travel.

Check your program's terms to learn its specific expiration rule. You can usually find this in the "Program Rules" or "Terms and Conditions" section of the website. If you are close to an expiration date, you can sometimes extend it by booking a flight or hotel stay, even if you cancel later (though read the cancellation policy first).

Tracking points earned through credit cards and transfers

If you earn miles through an airline credit card, the points post to your frequent flyer account within one to three billing cycles after the purchase. Check your credit card account online to see the transaction, then log into your airline account a few days later to confirm the points arrived. If they do not show up within a week, contact the credit card issuer or the airline to investigate.

Some people transfer points between accounts — for example, moving hotel points to an airline partner program. These transfers can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. The sending program usually shows the transfer as complete immediately, but the receiving program may take longer to post the points. Keep records of the transfer date and amount so you can follow up if the points do not arrive within the stated time frame.

If you have multiple credit cards from the same airline, make sure each card is linked to the same frequent flyer account. If they are linked to different accounts by mistake, your points will be scattered across multiple balances. You can usually merge accounts or link cards through the airline's website, but it is easier to get it right from the start.

Monitoring for fraud and unauthorized activity

Check your account regularly for unauthorized redemptions or point transfers. If someone gains access to your account, they can book flights or hotel stays using your points. Most programs send confirmation emails when points are redeemed, so review these emails to make sure you recognize every transaction.

If you spot unauthorized activity, contact the airline or hotel immediately. They can cancel fraudulent bookings and restore your points. To prevent this, use a strong, unique password for each loyalty program account and enable two-factor authentication if the program offers it.

Some programs also let you set a PIN or password requirement for redemptions, which adds an extra layer of security. If someone tries to book a flight with your points, they will need this PIN and cannot complete the transaction without it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do airline and hotel balances update?

Most programs update balances within 24 hours of a flight or stay. Credit card points usually post within one to three billing cycles. Third-party aggregator apps may take longer — sometimes several hours or a full day — so check the official app if you need a real-time balance.

Can I track points from multiple airlines in one place?

Third-party aggregator apps like AwardWallet let you see multiple balances on one screen, but they require you to share your login credentials. The official apps and websites are more secure and update faster, so many people check each program separately instead.

What should I do if my points do not appear after a flight?

Wait 24 to 48 hours for the balance to update. If points still do not show up, contact the airline's customer service with your confirmation number and membership account number. They can investigate whether the points posted to the wrong account or if there was a system error.

How do I know when my points will expire?

Log into your account and look for an expiration date listed next to your balance, usually under "Account Details" or "My Points." You can also check the program's terms and conditions to learn the expiration rule. Set a phone reminder for three months before the expiration date so you have time to use or extend your points.

Is it safe to use third-party apps to track my points?

Reputable aggregator apps use encryption to protect your login credentials, but you are sharing passwords with a third party. Research the app's privacy policy and user reviews before signing up. If you are uncomfortable sharing credentials, stick with the official airline and hotel apps instead.