Loyalty Points Expiring? What to Do Before You Lose Them
Got a notification that your points are about to expire? Or worried about losing points you've been accumulating? Here's everything Canadians need to know about loyalty point expiration and your options.
Every year, Canadians lose billions of dollars worth of loyalty points to expiration. Whether it's Aeroplan miles you forgot about, Amex MR points on a card you're thinking of cancelling, or Marriott Bonvoy points from a trip years ago—expiring points don't have to become worthless.
Don't Wait Until It's Too Late
If your points are expiring within 30 days, take action now. Selling points typically takes 3-5 days, so starting early ensures you have time to convert them to cash before the deadline.
Expiration Policies by Program
Each loyalty program has different rules about when and how points expire. Understanding these policies is the first step to protecting your balance.
Aeroplan: 18 Months of Inactivity
Aeroplan points expire if you have no earning or redemption activity for 18 consecutive months. This is called an "inactivity expiration" policy.
How to keep Aeroplan points active:
- • Earn points from any Aeroplan partner
- • Redeem any number of points
- • Transfer points in or out of Family Sharing
- • Convert credit card points to Aeroplan
Amex MR: Card Closure Triggers Expiration
Amex Membership Rewards points don't technically expire as long as you hold an MR-eligible card. However, they effectively expire when you cancel your card or downgrade to a non-MR card.
Critical timelines:
- • 90 days after card closure to transfer points
- • After 90 days, points are forfeited permanently
- • Some cards allow transfer to another MR card first
Marriott Bonvoy: 24 Months of Inactivity
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 consecutive months without any qualifying activity in your account.
Qualifying activity includes:
- • Completing a paid hotel stay
- • Earning points from partners
- • Redeeming points for any reward
- • Purchasing or receiving transferred points
Your Options Before Points Expire
When facing point expiration, you have several options. The best choice depends on your situation, the point balance, and how soon they expire.
Option 1: Redeem for Travel
If you have travel plans, using your points for flights or hotels is often the highest-value option. However, this only works if you actually need to travel soon.
Option 2: Keep Points Active (Small Activity)
For Aeroplan and Marriott, any account activity resets the expiration clock. You can keep points alive with minimal effort like earning a few points through shopping portals or dining programs.
Option 3: Transfer to Partners
Some programs allow transfers to partner programs with different expiration policies. For example, transferring Amex MR to Aeroplan before cancelling your card.
Option 4: Sell for Cash
If you don't have travel plans and don't want to continue accumulating points, selling them converts your balance to cash. This is often the best option for large balances that would otherwise go unused.
Typical cash values when selling:
- • Aeroplan: $0.010-0.015 per point
- • Amex MR: $0.011-0.0155 per point
- • Marriott Bonvoy: $0.004-0.007 per point
When Selling Expiring Points Makes the Most Sense
Selling isn't the right choice for everyone, but for many Canadians facing point expiration, it's the smartest move. Here's when selling makes the most sense:
You Have No Travel Plans
If you're not planning to travel in the foreseeable future, points sitting in an account have zero practical value. Converting to cash gives you immediate, usable value.
You're Closing a Credit Card
If you're cancelling an Amex card with MR points, selling before closure ensures you get value. The 90-day post-closure window is tight, and points vanish forever if you miss it.
Your Balance Is Large
Small balances might be worth keeping for future travel. But if you have 100,000+ points that would otherwise expire, selling for $1,000-1,500 cash is far better than losing everything.
You Need the Cash
Points are a form of stored value. If you have financial needs today, converting points to cash can provide immediate relief rather than hoping for a future redemption opportunity.
Program Devaluation Is Coming
Loyalty programs regularly devalue their currencies. If you hear about upcoming changes that will reduce point value, selling before the devaluation locks in current rates.
How to Sell Expiring Points Quickly
If you've decided to sell, here's the process to convert your expiring points to cash:
Request a Quote
Contact a reputable Canadian broker with your program, point balance, and contact information. You'll receive a quote with the rate and total payment within 24 hours.
Accept the Quote
Review the offer and accept if the rate works for you. The broker will provide specific transfer instructions for your program.
Transfer Your Points
Using official program methods (Aeroplan Family Sharing, Amex partner transfers, etc.), transfer your points as instructed. This typically takes 5-15 minutes.
Receive Payment
Once the broker confirms receipt of points, payment is sent via Interac e-Transfer. Most sellers receive payment within 24-48 hours.
Urgent Expiration?
If your points expire within the next 7 days, mention this when requesting your quote. Reputable brokers can often expedite the process for time-sensitive situations.
Don't Let Your Points Disappear
Mega Miles Broker has helped thousands of Canadians convert expiring points to cash since 2014. We understand the urgency when points are about to expire and work quickly to ensure you get paid before the deadline.
- Fast quotes: Response within 24 hours (often same-day)
- Quick payment: Interac e-Transfer within 48 hours of transfer
- Expedited service: Rush handling available for urgent expirations
- Competitive rates: Fair market value for all programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Aeroplan points expire?
Aeroplan points expire after 18 months of account inactivity. Any earning or redemption activity resets this clock. Points can also expire if your account is closed for terms of service violations.
Do Amex Membership Rewards points expire?
Amex MR points don't expire as long as you maintain an active Membership Rewards-enrolled card. If you cancel your card or downgrade to a non-MR card, you typically have 90 days to use or transfer your points before they're forfeited.
Do Marriott Bonvoy points expire?
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of account inactivity. Any qualifying activity (earning or redeeming points) resets the expiration clock.
Can I sell points that are about to expire?
Yes, you can sell points before they expire. This is often the best option if you have a large balance and no immediate travel plans. Selling converts your points to cash value instead of losing them entirely.
How quickly can I sell expiring points?
The process typically takes 3-5 days from requesting a quote to receiving payment. If your points expire soon, contact a broker immediately to start the process. Most brokers can expedite urgent requests.