If you’re new to the world of points and miles and are earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you may wonder if they ever expire. The short answer is no: Chase points never expire. You won’t have to worry about losing your points due to inactivity. This is similar to how other credit card points programs handle points expiration.
Chase points remain active as long as your credit card account remains open and in good standing. However, there are some caveats. In the following guide, we’ll explain a few scenarios where you could lose your Chase points. We’ll also show you how to ensure your Chase Ultimate Rewards points remain in your account so you can redeem them when you’re ready.
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Reasons why you could lose your Chase points
Chase points never expire, but you can lose them if your account status changes. This can happen if you cancel your account or Chase closes it. Here are a few reasons you could lose your Chase Ultimate Rewards points before you get a chance to use them:
Missed payments
Chase could close your credit card account if you miss payments. This will likely only happen if you miss several payments. The best strategy is always to pay your credit card bill on time every month. In addition to keeping your account active and your points from expiring, doing this can benefit your credit history and credit score.
Misusing your account
Chase’s terms and conditions state that misuse could cause the bank to close your account. You’ll lose any remaining points if your account is closed due to misuse. Some examples of account misuse include the following:
- Buying or selling points
- Selling or exchanging gift cards, travel, or other items of value acquired through points
- Moving or transferring points to an ineligible third-party account
- Repeatedly opening credit card accounts to generate rewards
- Fraudulent activity
Closing your Ultimate Rewards-earning card
If you decide to close a Chase credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, you’ll lose the points. The best strategy is to use your points before canceling your card or transfer them to another Chase credit card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
How to keep your Chase points
Do you have points in your Chase Ultimate Rewards account? Here are a few strategies for keeping your Chase points so they’re available when you’re ready to redeem them:
Keep your Chase account open
You can keep your Chase points by maintaining a credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards points. Your points won’t expire if you continue to pay your bills on time and follow all the rules outlined in the cardholder agreement.
Open a new no-annual-fee card
If you’re no longer getting value from your existing Chase credit card and want to avoid paying an annual fee, you can open a new Chase credit card that doesn’t have an annual fee.
Transferring your existing Chase points to a no-annual-fee card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points can allow you to keep your points even when you cancel or downgrade your card. The following no-annual-fee Chase cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points:
- Chase Freedom Flex® Credit Card
- Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card
Before closing your existing card, log in to your Chase Ultimate Rewards account and combine your points. You can quickly move points from one Chase account to another.
Downgrade your card
Another way to keep your Chase points is to downgrade an existing Chase credit card. You can downgrade your current credit card account to a different Chase card. Some people do this when they want to switch to a card with other benefits or want a more affordable annual fee.
Downgrading your existing card to another Chase card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points will protect your points. Considering downgrading your current card? The following Chase cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points and may be a good downgrade option:
- Chase Freedom Flex® Credit Card ($0 annual fee)
- Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card ($0 annual fee)
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card ($0 annual fee)
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® credit card ($95 annual fee)
It’s worth noting that the points earned from the Freedom cards are not transferrable Ultimate Rewards. Instead, they can be redeemed towards travel or cash back at one cent per point. This isn’t ideal if you like to transfer your Ultimate Rewards to airline and hotel loyalty partners. However, it’s still an option if you want to avoid losing your Ultimate Rewards points altogether after closing an account.
Transfer your points to a household member
Chase allows cardholders to transfer their points to a household member if they also have a Chase credit card account that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can do this by logging into your account online or calling the number on the back of your credit card.
Keep in mind that the person you’re transferring your Chase points to must be a member of your household. This restriction is outlined in Chase’s terms and conditions.
Transfer your points to a travel partner
Several Chase credit cards allow you to transfer your points to select travel partners. You can transfer your points and then redeem them for award flights and hotel stays with participating airline and hotel partners. This is an excellent way to get more value from your credit card rewards and save money on vacation costs.
Pro tip: Once you transfer your points to a partner, you can’t transfer them back to your Chase Ultimate Rewards account. So, it’s best to have a redemption plan before you transfer your rewards. Review our Chase Points Transfer Guide for more guidance. You can use point.me to search for award flight availability across multiple airline partners.
Book travel
Another way to keep Chase points from expiring is to redeem them for travel bookings. If you have a Chase credit card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can use your points to book travel through the Chase Travel portal.
This strategy will allow you to use your points so they don’t disappear from your account. To learn more about using your points to book travel, check out our practical guide, How to Book Flights and Travel With Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Pro tip: If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, your points are worth 1.25 cents each when redeemed through Chase Travel. If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, your points are worth 1.5 cents each through the Chase Travel portal.
Redeem them for cash back
If you want to avoid losing your Chase points after canceling a card but don’t have a travel redemption in mind, consider redeeming them for cash back. It’s worth noting that this redemption strategy may yield less value than other methods. But it’s a great option if you no longer want to carry a Chase credit card and don’t want to lose your points when closing your account.
Don’t lose your Chase points
You worked hard to earn your credit card points, so you want to ensure they remain yours to use. If you follow the rules outlined and keep your Chase account open and in good standing, your points will remain active.
If you’re considering canceling one of your Chase credit cards, make sure you have a plan for using or transferring your rewards so you don’t lose them. If you need help redeeming your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, point.me is here to help. The Chase Ultimate Rewards program is flexible, so your redemption options are plentiful.
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