[AIRLINE] Expiration Policies (updated on March 2, 2014)
UPDATE- RBC Reward conversion and American Airlines AAdvantage added to the list.
For today’s post, the will focus will be on frequent flyer programs that are relatively easier to earn points within Canada, whether with a co-branded credit card, American Express Membership Rewards, RBC Rewards, etc.
Air Canada (Aeroplan) – 12 months / Never
Alaska Airlines (Mileage Plan) – 24 months / Never
Alitalia (MilleMiglia) – 24 months / Never
American Airlines (AAdvantage) – 18 months / Never
British Airways (Executive Club Avios) – 36 months / Never
Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles) – 36 months
Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles) – No expiration
Etihad Airways (Etihad Guest) – 24 months / Never
Porter Airlines (VIP Porter) – 4 years
WestJet (WestJet Rewards) – 12 months / Never
Air Canada
Your points will never expire as long as you keep your account active once every 12 months. The Aeroplan program has been well documented throughout the blog.
Alaska Airlines
Your points will never expire so long as you earn points within the 9 months after opening and you need to keep your account active once every 24 months. If your points are deleted from your account, you have the option if reinstating them for up to one year by paying a $75 fee. To help keep your account active, you can get the MBNA Alaska Airlines MasterCard.
American Airlines
Your points will never expire as long as you keep your account active once every 18 months. You can earn AAdvantage points by transferring your RBC Rewards points, where 5,000 RBC Rewards points is equal to 5,000 AAdvantage points (minimum of 5,000 transfer points required).
Alitalia
Your points will never expire so long as you keep your account active once every 24 months. You can earn MilleMiglia points by transferring your AMEX Membership Rewards points, where 1,000 Membership Rewards points is equal to 750 MilleMiglia points (minimum of 1,000 transfer points required).
British Airways
Your points will never expire so long as you keep your account active once every 36 months. You can earn Avios points by transferring your AMEX Membership Rewards points, where 1,000 Membership Rewards points is equal to 1,000 Avios points (minimum of 1,000 transfer points required). You can also earn Avios points by transferring your RBC Rewards points, where 10,000 RBC Rewards points is equal to 10,000 Avios (minimum of 10,000 transfer points required). Lastly, you can keep your account active with the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite.
Cathay Pacific
Your points will expire 36 months after they were deposited. You can earn Asia Miles points by transferring your AMEX Membership Rewards points, where 1,000 Membership Rewards points is equal to 750 Asia Mile points (minimum of 1,000 transfer points required). You can earn Asia Mile points by transferring your RBC Rewards points, where 10,000 RBC Rewards points is equal to 10,000 Asia Mile points (minimum of 10,000 transfer points required). Lastly, you can keep your account active with the RBC Cathay Pacific Visa Platinum.
Delta Air Lines
Your points will never expire. You can earn SkyMiles points by transferring your AMEX Membership Rewards points, where 1,000 Membership Rewards points is equal to 750 SkyMile points (minimum of 1,000 transfer points required). The Delta SkyMiles program has been well documented throughout the blog.
Etihad Airways
Your points will never expire so long as you keep your account active once every 24 months. They have different expiry policies for elite levels. You can earn Etihad Guest Miles by transferring your AMEX Membership Rewards points, where 1,000 Membership Rewards points is equal to 750 Etihad Guest points (minimum of 1,000 transfer points required).
Porter Airlines
All points expire after 4 years from their earning date. You can read more about the VIPorter program here.
WestJet
Your points will never expire so long as you keep your account active once every 12 months. The WestJet Rewards program has been well documented throughout the blog.