What to do when you have rewards stranded in frequent flyer programs
Editor's Note
Sometimes an award redemption doesn't work out, and you must cancel and redeposit the points or miles back into your account. Or you may have earned some rewards through crediting flights to a specific airline loyalty program, but now your reward balance seems too small to be useful.
Even if you do your best to avoid stranded points and miles, you may still have rewards scattered across various airline loyalty programs. Here are a few ways you can deal with stranded points and miles.
Check expiration policies
Before worrying too much about your stranded rewards, take a moment to check their expiration dates. Rewards in some programs, including HawaiianMiles, Southwest Rapid Rewards and United MileagePlus, won't expire.
And there are sometimes ways to extend the expiration date of your rewards. You can keep your points and miles from expiring in many programs by earning or redeeming rewards. So, taking a flight, booking an award, making a purchase after clicking through an online shopping portal or using a cobranded airline credit card to make a purchase may extend the validity of your rewards.
Unfortunately, a few programs have less customer-friendly policies. For example, regardless of account activity, Malaysia Airlines Enrich points expire at the end of the month, three years after you earned them. In such cases, you may need to redeem your rewards before they expire.
It's important to familiarize yourself with the specific rules of each program to prevent your rewards from expiring. And as always, we recommend redeeming your points and miles sooner rather than later, as frequent devaluations mean your rewards may become less valuable the longer you hold them.
Related: How to get your points and miles back after they expire
Top off your accounts
If you have stranded points or miles and are just shy of the required balance for your desired award, it can make sense to top off your account so you have enough rewards to book an award flight.
Keep in mind that some airlines have partnerships with multiple transferable currencies. For example, you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points, Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Citi ThankYou Rewards points to JetBlue TrueBlue. It's also worth checking whether current transfer bonuses can make the top-off even more valuable.
Buying points or miles is also an option if you need to top off your account to book an award. However, compare the purchase rate to our points and miles valuations to determine whether doing so will provide good value.
Related: When does it make sense to buy points and miles?
Book flights for yourself
In an ideal scenario, you can use your stranded rewards on a trip you're already planning to take. For example, you might have your eye on a United Airlines-operated flight for an upcoming trip. But, if you have stranded British Airways Avios, you might decide to fly with a Oneworld airline like American Airlines that you can book with your Avios.
However, it's not always that straightforward. In such cases, you might need to plan a different trip or change your plans to redeem your stranded rewards. Especially if the points or miles expire soon, it may be worth redeeming them at a suboptimal redemption rate to utilize them.
Related: How this couple used credit card bonuses to book a $15,000 honeymoon trip to Japan
Book award flights for others
If your points or miles are expiring soon and you don't want to book a trip for yourself, it could be the perfect time to book an award flight for someone else using your rewards. For example, you could treat your partner to a weekend getaway without the kids, arrange a special trip for your parents' 50th anniversary or fly a friend out to visit.
Some loyalty programs require extra paperwork to book an award flight for someone else, though. And some loyalty programs only allow you to book award flights for particular family members. So, check the rules of your specific loyalty program before deciding to redeem your stranded rewards for someone else's travel.
Related: Using points and miles to book airline tickets and hotels for others
Consider a lower-value redemption
We all want to get the maximum value from our points and miles. But when an opportunity arises to use your stranded rewards, it might be worth taking — even if it's for a lower-value redemption.
For example, we typically don't recommend redeeming airline rewards for hotel stays or magazines since these redemptions usually provide a lower redemption rate than if you redeemed for flights. But, if your points or miles are expiring soon, the lower-value redemption may be the best way to use your stranded rewards.
Related: How to decide whether to use cash or miles for airline tickets
Donate your rewards
Many airlines partner with specific charities, so you can often donate points and miles to charity. Donations often start at just 1,000 points or miles, making it a great way to use stranded rewards that would otherwise go unused.
One option to consider if you want to donate your points and miles is Miles4Migrants, which helps provide airfare for refugees and asylum-seekers who cannot afford the cost of travel. While donating your points or miles may not give you the same excitement as booking a personal adventure, it is a wonderful way to give back and positively affect someone else's life.
Related: The 6 best credit cards to maximize your charitable donation
Tips to avoid stranded rewards
Ideally, you won't need to deal with many stranded rewards. Here are a few ways to reduce your chances of ending up with stranded rewards:
- Avoid transferring credit card rewards to airline loyalty programs until you're ready to book your award. Award availability and prices can fluctuate, potentially leaving you with limited options if you wait to book your award.
- Only buy points or miles if you have a specific, immediate use for them. Redeem your purchased rewards shortly after buying them.
- Consolidate your earnings into just a few accounts by leveraging alliances and partnerships. For example, you might always credit flights on Oneworld airlines to American Airlines AAdvantage and flights on Star Alliance airlines to United Airlines MileagePlus. Doing so will help you avoid accumulating small amounts of points and miles across many programs.
Following these guidelines can minimize the chances of ending up with stranded rewards in the future.
Related: I had miles stuck with Singapore Airlines — here's how I finally used them
Bottom line
If you have rewards stranded in one or more airline loyalty programs, start planning how to use these points or miles. If the rewards don't expire — or don't expire soon — you can take your time deciding how to best redeem them. But especially if the expiration date is approaching, you may need to top off your account to redeem or opt for a less-than-ideal redemption.
Additional reporting by Becky Pokora.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.