Air Miles themselves do not expire. But, if your account “expires” by being “dormant” (or inactive) for 24 consecutive months, then the points on it will disappear. An account is considered inactive if there are no points transactions within that period.

What happens to unused air miles depends entirely on the specific airline's "expiration policy." In 2026, there are three main categories. First, some airlines have "Hard Expiration" policies, where miles disappear after a set period (e.g., 3 years) regardless of your activity. Second, and most common, is "Soft Expiration" or "Inactivity Expiration." In this model, your miles will only expire if your account has no activity (earning or redeeming) for a period of 12, 18, or 24 months. As long as you earn even one mile through a credit card or a partner, the clock resets. Third, some airlines, like Delta, United, and Southwest, have transitioned to "No Expiration" policies where miles stay in your account forever. If miles do expire, they are essentially "written off" the airline's financial balance sheet as unredeemed liability. Some airlines offer a "buy-back" program where you can pay a fee to reinstate expired miles, but this is usually poor value. To prevent loss, savvy travelers in 2026 use apps to track expiration dates or donate small amounts of miles to charity to keep their accounts active, ensuring that years of loyalty don't vanish due to a few months of travel inactivity.