How to stop your hard-earned airline miles from disappearing

Dubai: You’ve spent months booking flights, choosing airlines, and racking up those precious frequent flyer miles. But what if all that effort quietly vanished into thin air? The harsh reality is: airline miles expire, and many travellers only find out after it’s too late.

"People often assume their miles are safe until they’re ready for that dream vacation,” says Sophia Sanchez, a travel planning manager based in the UAE. “But most programmes wipe your miles after 24 to 36 months of inactivity.”

The good news? With just a bit of action, you can stop the clock on expiration—and even extend the life of your rewards.

You don’t need to book an international trip to keep your account active. In many cases, making a small purchase through your airline’s shopping or dining portal is enough to “reset” the timer.

“Even earning or redeeming a single mile can give you more time,” explains Richa Dev, a Dubai-based travel agent. “Just check the fine print—some low-cost fares no longer qualify for mileage accrual, and not all activity counts.”

If you’re not traveling soon, consider other redemption options. “Buying a small gift card or even a magazine subscription can save your miles from expiring,” adds Dev. “It’s not the best bang for your buck, but it’s better than losing everything.”

Airline dining programs offer another sneaky way to extend your miles. Just register your card, eat at a participating restaurant, and your miles account gets a boost.

“And if eating out isn’t your thing,” says Sanchez, “airlines also run online shopping portals where you earn miles for purchases from regular retailers. Any transaction—no matter how small—can count.”

A number of recent surveys found that two out of five people have unused travel points—and many risk losing them. The solution? Audit your loyalty accounts regularly.

"Check expiration dates, keep track of your balances, and know your program’s rules," urges Dev. "It only takes a few minutes, and it could save you a free flight—or even more."

Pro tip: Monitoring your accounts also helps catch fraud. If someone redeems your miles without your knowledge, early detection is key to recovering them.