While Air Miles themselves do not expire, the account they're tied to will become inactive within 24 months without a purchase or redemption. Once an account is deemed inactive, the points contained within it will be lost and cannot be recovered without buying them back.

In 2026, the lifespan of air miles varies significantly by airline, though many major carriers have moved toward activity-based expiration. Programs like Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, and Southwest Rapid Rewards have eliminated expiration entirely—your miles stay active as long as the account is open. However, most other airlines, such as American Airlines (24 months) or British Airways (36 months), require at least one "qualifying activity" (earning or redeeming just one mile) within a specific window to reset the clock. A few programs still use a fixed-date expiration, such as Emirates Skywards, where miles typically expire at the end of your birthday month three years after they were earned, regardless of account activity. For 2026 travelers, the "gold standard" is to use a co-branded credit card, as everyday spending often counts as activity that keeps your entire mileage balance from expiring. Always check your specific program's "Last Activity" date in their app to ensure you don't lose your hard-earned rewards.