Chase points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing
Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which are the points you earn on most Chase credit cards, do not have an expiration date. You can hold them indefinitely without losing them to a time limit. However, your points can disappear if your account closes — either because you close it yourself or because Chase closes it due to inactivity or violation of the cardholder agreement.
The key distinction is between the points themselves and your ability to use them. The points stay in your account forever, but the account that holds them must remain active. This means you need to keep your card open and use it occasionally, or at minimum keep the account in good standing by paying any balance on time.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Ultimate Rewards points do not expire as long as your credit card account stays open and active.
- If you close your Chase card or Chase closes it due to inactivity, you lose all remaining points in that account.
- Different Chase cards earn points at different rates, and redemption options vary by card type.
- Points transfer between Chase cards within the same rewards program, so you can consolidate them if you close a card.
- Redeeming points before closing an account is the safest way to preserve the value you have earned.
What happens when you close a Chase credit card
When you close a Chase credit card, any remaining Ultimate Rewards points in that account are forfeited. Chase does not transfer points to another card automatically, and you cannot retrieve them after the account closes. This is the primary way Chase cardholders lose points — not through expiration, but through account closure.
If you are thinking about closing a card, redeem your points before you do. You can redeem them for cash back, travel, gift cards, or other options depending on your card. Once the account is closed, those points are gone permanently.
How to keep your points safe if you have multiple Chase cards
If you hold more than one Chase credit card, you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points between them. This is useful if you want to close one card but keep the points. Log into your Chase account, go to the rewards section, and look for the option to transfer points between your cards. The transfer is usually when ready.
This strategy lets you consolidate points into a single card before closing another one. For example, if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred and a Chase Freedom card, you can move points from the Freedom to the Sapphire before closing the Freedom. The points remain in your Chase rewards account under the Sapphire card.
Chase card inactivity and account closure
Chase may close your account if you do not use the card for an extended period. The exact timeframe is not published, but Chase typically closes accounts that show no activity for 12 months or longer. When Chase closes an account for inactivity, any points in that account are lost.
To keep your account active, use your Chase card at least once every few months. Even a small purchase counts. You do not need to carry a balance or pay interest — just keep the account in use. If you are not using a card regularly, consider whether you should close it intentionally and redeem the points first, rather than risk losing them to inactivity closure.
Different Chase cards, different earning rates
Chase offers multiple credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points, but they earn at different rates. The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2 points per dollar on travel and dining, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases. The Chase Freedom Flex earns 5 points per dollar on rotating categories (up to $1,500 per quarter), 2 points on dining and travel, and 1 point on other purchases.
All of these points are part of the same Ultimate Rewards program, so they can be combined and redeemed together. The earning rate does not affect expiration — points from any Chase card do not expire as long as your account stays open.
Redeeming points before closing an account
The safest approach is to redeem your points before you close any Chase card. Chase offers several redemption paths: cash back (usually 1 cent per point), gift cards, travel bookings through the Chase travel portal, or transfers to Chase travel partners like United, Hyatt, and others.
The value you get depends on how you redeem. Cash back is straightforward but often offers the lowest value. The Chase travel portal can offer better value if you book premium travel, but the value varies by flight and hotel. Transfer partners offer the highest potential value for frequent travelers, but require knowledge of partner redemption rates. Redeem before closing to lock in the value you have earned.
What to do if you have lost points
If you closed a Chase card and lost points, contact Chase customer service to ask whether the account closure was recent enough to recover them. Chase sometimes restores points if you request reinstatement within a short window after closure, though this is not may provide. Explain that you did not intend to lose the points and ask if they can be restored.
If the account has been closed for a long time, recovery is unlikely. This is why redeeming before closure is important — once points are gone, they are difficult or impossible to get back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Chase points expire if I do not use them for a year?
No, Chase points do not expire based on time alone. They expire only if your credit card account closes. As long as your account remains open and in good standing, your points will stay in your account indefinitely, even if you do not redeem them for a year or longer.
Can I transfer my points to another bank's rewards program?
No, you cannot transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to another bank's program. You can transfer them between your own Chase cards, or transfer them to Chase travel partners like United Airlines or Hyatt Hotels. Once you redeem them for cash back or gift cards, they are gone and cannot be moved.
What happens to my points if I miss a payment?
Missing a payment does not automatically erase your points, but it can lead to account closure if the delinquency is severe. If Chase closes your account due to non-payment, your points will be lost. Pay your balance on time to keep your account in good standing and protect your points.
Can I redeem points after I close my card?
No, you cannot redeem points after your card account is closed. You must redeem them before you close the account. If you have already closed the account, contact Chase when ready to ask if they can restore the account temporarily so you can redeem the points, though this is not may provide.
Do bonus points expire differently than earned points?
No, bonus points and earned points are treated the same way. Both are part of your Ultimate Rewards balance and do not expire as long as your account is open. Both are lost if your account closes.