Do your points expire? Every major program compared

Read the expiry date in each account before moving points. Activity-based expiry, earned-batch expiry and card-account conditions need different plans. A family transfer can move a balance without protecting either account from expiry.

Qantas: qualifying activity matters

Qantas says members must earn or use points at least once every 18 months. Its expiry page excludes Family Transfers and transfers from Qantas Business Rewards from the qualifying activity described there. Check that a qualifying transaction has actually posted; initiating it near the deadline is not the same thing. Qantas Points expiry.

Use an activity you already need rather than buying something solely to earn a point. Record the posted date, then confirm the expiry shown in your account. A calendar reminder should leave enough time for delayed posting and customer support.

Velocity: two kinds of activity

Velocity distinguishes activity that extends expiry by 24 months from family pooling or family transfers, which may extend it by only up to one month. Receiving household points is not a reliable substitute for checking the recipient’s expiry. Velocity’s earning and expiry rules.

For a family pool, review the beneficiary and contributor accounts separately. The account doing most of the earning may not be the one holding most of the points.

KrisFlyer: track batches of earned miles

Ordinary KrisFlyer miles for non-PPS members expire at the end of the corresponding month three years after earning. PPS and promotional rules can differ. New activity should not be treated as restarting every batch. KrisFlyer terms, expiry provisions.

The family and expiry planner calculates the ordinary earned-month date or lets you record a date from an account statement. For example, an ordinary batch earned in February 2024 reaches its three-year month in February 2027. The tool handles the month end; the account remains the final authority for exceptions.

Air New Zealand: do not assume points last indefinitely

Our earlier guide incorrectly described Airpoints as having no hard expiry while active. Air New Zealand’s current terms include expiry provisions and exceptions; check the section applying to your account and status. Do not rely on ordinary activity alone to preserve a balance. Air New Zealand programme terms.

Build a simple expiry register

Keep account numbers and passwords out of shareable planning links. After a redemption is cancelled, check whether returned points retain an earlier expiry. If points have already expired, ask the program about the applicable process; do not assume reinstatement is available or spend money on an unconfirmed recovery strategy.