Airline Miles Expiration 2026: Don't Let Your Points Disappear

One of my most difficult conversations last year was with a long-time customer who had accumulated 83,000 Delta SkyMiles over several years. He had not flown in 18 months. He had not used a Delta credit card. He had not made a Delta shopping portal purchase. His miles expired — every single one of them — and there was nothing I could do. Delta's policy is clear: 24 months of inactivity and the miles are gone.

This happens to thousands of travelers every year. Here is every airline's expiration policy and exactly what counts as "activity" to keep your miles alive.

Miles Expiration Policies by Airline — 2026

Delta, United, and JetBlue made their miles never expire — a genuine customer-friendly policy. American, Southwest, and Alaska use a 24-month activity window. Spirit is the most aggressive at just 3 months, which is extremely short for an occasional flyer.

The Cheapest Way to Keep Miles Alive

For programs with expiration policies, you do not need to fly to keep miles active. Here are the lowest-effort ways to reset the clock:

• Shopping portals — All major airlines have online shopping portals. Buy something for $5 at any partner retailer and earn miles. This counts as activity and resets your 24-month clock.
• Dining programs — Link your credit card to the airline's dining program and earn miles when you eat at participating restaurants. Costs nothing extra.
• Partner credit card — Use your airline credit card for any purchase. Activity on the co-branded card counts as account activity for the loyalty program.

Frequently Asked Questions