Last verified: April 2026
Do American Express Membership Rewards Points Expire?
American Express Membership Rewards points do not expire on a timer. There is no 12-month, 18-month, or 24-month inactivity window — your points balance will not disappear simply because your account sits dormant. However, Amex Membership Rewards points are directly tied to your card account, and this is where the real risk lies. If your card account closes for any reason, your entire Membership Rewards balance can be forfeited within 30 days of account closure. This is the most common way Amex points are lost unexpectedly, and it catches cardholders off guard because the connection between card status and point survival is not always clearly communicated.
When Do Amex Points Expire? Understanding the Account-Linked Risk
Amex Membership Rewards points are not attached to you as a customer — they are attached to your card account. The moment that account closes, the points are at risk. There are three main scenarios that trigger this:
The first is voluntary card cancellation. If you decide to close your Amex card — often to avoid an annual fee you no longer feel is worth paying — your Membership Rewards points will expire within 30 days of that closure unless you have another open Amex card that also earns Membership Rewards. If you hold multiple Amex Membership Rewards cards and close only one, your points transfer to the remaining open card and are safe.
The second is account closure due to missed payments or default. If Amex closes your account for non-payment or a violation of card terms, your points are typically forfeited immediately or within a very short window — with little to no opportunity to recover them.
The third is account closure due to fraud or misuse. If Amex identifies fraudulent activity on your account and closes it as a result, your points can be forfeited as part of that process regardless of whether you were at fault.
What Happens to Amex Points If You Cancel Your Card?
If you cancel an Amex Membership Rewards card and you have no other open Amex card earning Membership Rewards, you have approximately 30 days to redeem, transfer, or sell your points balance before it expires. This 30-day window is not guaranteed — Amex can change it — and it is shorter than most cardholders expect. The practical implication is straightforward: before closing any Amex card, decide what you want to do with your points and act on it before initiating the cancellation. Do not close the card first and assume you can deal with the points afterward.
Can You Transfer Amex Points Before Your Card Closes?
Yes — and for many cardholders, transferring points to an airline partner before closing is a common approach. Amex Membership Rewards transfers to over 20 airline and hotel partners including Delta SkyMiles, British Airways Executive Club, Air Canada Aeroplan, and Marriott Bonvoy, typically at a 1:1 ratio. Once transferred, those points follow the destination program's own expiration rules. Delta SkyMiles never expire, which makes it a popular transfer destination for cardholders who want a safe harbour for their points. However, transferring to an airline you never fly — simply to prevent expiration — still leaves you with points you cannot easily use.
Selling your Amex points before your card closes is a cleaner alternative. You receive cash immediately, the transaction is complete before any account closure risk, and there is no airline expiration policy to manage afterward.
How Much Are Amex Membership Rewards Points Worth?
Amex Membership Rewards points are among the most valuable transferable points currencies available, primarily because of the breadth of transfer partners and the occasional transfer bonuses Amex offers. When transferred to premium airline partners for business class redemptions, Amex points can deliver 1.5 to 2.5 cents of value per point. For straightforward cash redemptions through Amex's own portal, the value drops to around 0.6 cents per point — significantly lower than transfer value. When you sell Amex Membership Rewards points through The Miles Market, the rate reflects current market demand for your specific program and balance. Accounts with larger balances consistently receive stronger rates. Submit a free quote to see exactly what your points are worth today.
What to Do If Your Amex Card Is About to Close
If you are planning to cancel your Amex card, or if you have received notice that your account is at risk of closure, act on your points balance immediately — do not wait until after the card closes. Your options are to redeem your points for travel or statement credit through Amex's portal before closing, transfer your points to an airline or hotel partner that offers a better long-term home for them, or sell your points through The Miles Market for cash with same-day payment. Of these three options, selling is the fastest and the most certain — there are no availability issues, no partner transfer delays, and no downstream expiration risk to manage. The Miles Market processes most transactions within 24 hours, comfortably within the 30-day window after card closure.
