How to Extend the Expiration Date of Your Miles

Few things are more frustrating for loyalty program members than logging in to their account only to find that their hard-earned miles have expired. Every year, travelers lose millions of miles simply because they didn’t take action in time. Fortunately, in most cases, there are practical, simple ways to extend the expiration date of your miles and avoid losing valuable travel currency.

Whether you collect airline miles from flying, credit cards, or partner activities, this guide will show you exactly how to protect your balance and keep your miles alive.

Why Miles Expire

Loyalty programs use expiration policies as a business strategy. If points and miles never expired, companies would have long-term liabilities on their books. By creating expiration dates, they encourage members to engage with the program regularly.

There are typically two types of expiration policies:

1. Activity-based expiration: Your miles stay active as long as you have qualifying activity (earn or redeem) within a specific period.
2. Hard expiration: Miles expire after a fixed number of months or years, regardless of account activity.

Knowing which system your program uses is the first step to protecting your miles.

How Long Do Miles Usually Last?

Each loyalty program sets its own rules. Here are some common examples:

• Smiles (GOL): 3 to 10 years depending on your club and elite status
• LATAM Pass: 24 months of inactivity
• TudoAzul: 24 to 36 months depending on status and promotions
• American Airlines AAdvantage: 24 months of inactivity
• United MileagePlus: No expiration for active accounts
• Delta SkyMiles: Never expire
• Avianca LifeMiles: 12 months of inactivity, reset with any activity

It’s crucial to know your program’s rules so you can take action before losing anything.

Check Your Expiration Date

Before planning how to extend your miles, check your current balances and expiration dates:

• Log into your loyalty program account
• Navigate to your mileage activity or expiration section
• Some programs show expiration dates per transaction, others show a single account deadline

Use tools like AwardWallet to track multiple programs and get email alerts before your miles expire.

Strategies to Extend Your Miles Before They Expire

If your program uses an activity-based expiration, you can reset the clock by simply earning or redeeming miles. Here are the best ways to do that:

1. Earn Miles Through Credit Card Spending

Using a co-branded airline credit card or a flexible points card (like Amex or Chase) can generate miles that count as qualifying activity.

Even a small purchase is enough. Buy a $2 coffee, and the miles earned might extend your expiration for another year or more.

Make sure the miles post before your deadline — some cards take 2–3 days, others post monthly.

2. Transfer Points from Partner Programs

In Brazil, you can transfer points from:

• Livelo
• Esfera
• Iupp
• Átomos (C6 Bank)

Internationally, you can transfer from:

• Amex Membership Rewards
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Citi ThankYou Points

Most of these transfers count as new activity and reset your expiration. Always check the specific rules of your airline first.

3. Book or Redeem a Flight

Any ticket purchase or award redemption qualifies as account activity in most programs.

Even booking a short domestic trip using 3,000–5,000 miles can be worth it to protect a larger balance.

Bonus: You get a trip out of it instead of losing your miles entirely.

4. Use Airline Shopping Portals

Airlines like American, United, and Delta have online shopping malls. By making a purchase through these portals, you earn miles.

Choose retailers you already buy from: Amazon, Apple, Nike, etc.

Make sure to:

• Log in through the airline portal
• Complete the purchase in the same session
• Avoid using coupons or cashback extensions that could invalidate the miles

5. Register for Dining Programs

Programs like AAdvantage Dining or MileagePlus Dining allow you to earn miles when dining at select restaurants.

Register your card, eat at a partner location, and miles are automatically credited.

Some offer bonuses for your first meal. It’s a fast and easy way to reset your expiration.

6. Buy a Small Number of Miles

Most airlines allow you to purchase miles directly, often starting at $25 or $30.

While buying miles is usually not great value, buying a small amount just to extend expiration can be worth it — especially if you’re protecting a large balance.

Make sure the miles post before your expiration date.

7. Donate Miles to Charity

Many airlines let you donate as few as 1,000 miles to a charitable cause.

Not only does this reset your account activity, but it also contributes to a good cause.

It’s a fast way to avoid losing miles — and help someone else at the same time.

8. Subscribe to Magazines or Services

Some loyalty programs offer miles in exchange for subscribing to magazines, streaming services, or product trials.

These low-cost options (as little as $5–$10) count as earning miles and can reset your expiration.

This method is especially helpful if you’re abroad and can’t fly on the airline.

9. Redeem for Non-Flight Options

Even if you’re not flying, you may be able to redeem miles for:

• Gift cards
• Car rentals
• Hotels
• Merchandise

Redemptions usually count as qualifying activity, but the value may be low. Only use this if you’re about to lose miles and have no better option.

When Miles Can’t Be Extended

If your program uses hard expiration policies, you might not be able to extend them once the deadline is reached.

Example:

• Miles earned in January 2022 with a 36-month expiration will disappear in January 2025, even if you’re active.

In this case, your only option is to use them before the expiration date. Monitor balances frequently and plan ahead to avoid forced redemptions.

What to Do if Your Miles Already Expired

Some programs offer reactivation or reinstatement options, usually for a fee.

For example:

• American Airlines allows you to reinstate expired miles for $50–$200 depending on the amount.
• Smiles and LATAM occasionally run promotions allowing expired mile reactivation with a fee or club subscription.

Contact customer service to check eligibility. If the cost of reactivation is close to the value of the miles, it might be worth it.

Set Up Systems to Never Lose Miles Again

Avoid future stress by creating a maintenance system:

• Use apps like AwardWallet to monitor all your programs
• Set reminders in your calendar for key expiration dates
• Make small purchases every 6–12 months on each airline card
• Keep one small subscription running through a rewards portal
• Consolidate programs and focus on those you use most

These simple habits can save you thousands of miles over time.

Final Thoughts: Stay Ahead and Protect What You Earn

Losing miles is entirely avoidable — as long as you stay informed and take small actions consistently. Most expiration policies are forgiving if you engage with the program, even in minor ways.

Now that you know how to extend the expiration date of your miles, you can keep your rewards safe and ready for when you need them most.

Be proactive, use the tools available, and never let your loyalty go to waste.