Do Chase Credit Card Points Ever Expire? Here's What Actually Happens

Chase points do not expire as long as your account stays open and active

Your Chase rewards points will not disappear because time has passed. They sit in your account indefinitely — there is no expiration date tied to how long you hold them. The catch is that your account itself has to remain open and in good standing. If you close the card or let the account go inactive for an extended period, Chase may close it on their end, and when that happens, your points go with it.

What "active" means varies slightly by card, but generally it means you use the card at least once every 12 to 24 months. Some Chase cards are stricter than others. The safest approach is to put a small recurring charge on any card you want to keep — a subscription, a gas station visit, anything that shows the account is being used.

Key Takeaways

• Chase points have no expiration date as long as your account remains open and you use the card occasionally.
• Closing a Chase credit card or letting it sit unused for over a year may trigger account closure and loss of your points.
• Different Chase cards have different inactivity thresholds, so check your specific card's terms if you plan to stop using it.
• You can transfer points between Chase cards on the same account without losing them, which is useful if you want to consolidate rewards.
• Redeeming points through Chase's website, app, or by calling their rewards line is straightforward and does not require you to spend a minimum amount.

What happens when you close a Chase card

Closing a credit card is the fastest way to lose your points. Once you request closure or Chase closes the account due to inactivity, the points are forfeited. There is no grace period and no way to recover them after the account is closed. If you have accumulated points you want to keep, redeem them before you close the card, or transfer them to another Chase card you plan to keep open.

If you are thinking about closing a card because you do not use it, consider keeping it open instead. The card may have an annual fee — if it does, you can weigh whether the points you earn justify paying it. If there is no annual fee, there is almost no reason to close it. An open, unused card with a zero balance does not hurt your credit score and preserves your points.

How inactivity triggers account closure

Chase does not publish a single rule that applies to all cards. Most Chase cards will close if you do not use them for 12 to 24 months, but some cards have stricter policies. The card's terms and conditions spell out the exact threshold, though Chase does not always make this easy to find.

Before the account closes, Chase typically sends a notice warning you that the account is at risk. This gives you a window to use the card and keep it active. A single purchase — even a $1 transaction — usually resets the inactivity clock. If you receive a notice, make a small charge immediately and your account should stay open.

Transferring points between Chase cards

If you have multiple Chase credit cards, you can move points from one card to another without losing them. This is useful if you want to consolidate rewards or if you are thinking about closing one card but want to preserve the points. The transfer happens instantly through your Chase account online or through the mobile app.

You can only transfer points between cards you own on the same Chase account. You cannot transfer points to someone else's card or to a card held at a different bank. Once the points land in your new card's account, they follow the same rules — they stay as long as that account remains open and active.

Redeeming points before they disappear

The safest way to protect your points is to redeem them. You do not have to wait for a specific balance or save up for a big purchase. Chase lets you redeem points in small amounts through their website, mobile app, or by calling their rewards customer service line. You can cash them out as statement credits, transfer them to travel partners, or use them to book travel through Chase's portal.

Different redemption options have different point values. A point used for travel through Chase's booking portal might be worth more than the same point redeemed as a cash statement credit. If you are unsure which option gives you the best value, Chase's website shows you the point value for each redemption method before you confirm.

Special cases: Authorized users and joint accounts

If you are an authorized user on someone else's Chase card, the points belong to the primary cardholder. If that person closes the account or lets it go inactive, you lose access to the points even if you were actively using the card. There is no way to transfer points from an authorized user account to your own card.

If you have a joint account with another person, both of you own the points equally. Either person can redeem them, and either person's inactivity can trigger account closure. If one person stops using the card, the other should make occasional charges to keep the account active.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have not used my Chase card in two years?

Your account may have already closed, which means your points are gone. Contact Chase to confirm whether the account is still open. If it is closed, the points cannot be recovered. If it is still open, make a purchase immediately to reset the inactivity timer.

Can I keep points if I close my card but keep my Chase account open?

No. Points are tied to the individual card account, not to your overall Chase account. Closing the card means losing the points, even if you have other Chase cards open. Transfer the points to another card before you close it.

Do Chase points lose value over time?

Chase does not devalue points based on how long you hold them. A point earned today is worth the same as a point earned five years ago. The redemption value of points can change if Chase adjusts their rewards program, but that affects all points equally, not older ones specifically.

What counts as using my Chase card to keep it active?

Any purchase counts — a gas station charge, a subscription payment, a small online purchase, anything. Even a $1 transaction resets the inactivity clock. You do not need to carry a balance or spend a certain amount each month.

If I transfer points to a travel partner, do they expire?

Once you transfer points to an airline or hotel partner, they follow that partner's expiration rules, not Chase's. Some travel partners let points expire after 12 months of inactivity, while others have no expiration. Check the partner's policy before you transfer.