Chase points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing
Your Chase Ultimate Rewards points will not disappear because time has passed. They stay in your account indefinitely — there is no countdown timer and no "use it or lose it" deadline. The only way you lose points is if you close your card or your account becomes inactive for an extended period, which Chase may then close on their end.
That said, points can vanish if your account status changes. If you close a Chase card, any points still in your Ultimate Rewards account remain there — but if you close all your Chase cards and have no active account left, Chase will eventually close your rewards account and the points go with it. The timeline for this varies, but it typically happens within a few months of your last active card closing.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Ultimate Rewards points do not expire as long as you keep at least one Chase card open and your account in good standing.
- Closing all your Chase cards will eventually result in your rewards account closing, and any remaining points will be forfeited.
- Points can be redeemed for cash back, travel, or merchandise at any time without penalty or expiration date.
- If your account goes dormant for an extended period, Chase may close it and eliminate your points, though this is rare if you have an active card.
What "in good standing" means for your points
Your account stays in good standing when you pay your bills on time and keep your card active. Active means you use it — even occasionally — and you do not carry a balance that goes unpaid. Chase does not require you to spend a minimum amount each month or year to keep your points safe, but they do expect the account itself to remain open and current.
If you stop using a card entirely and let it sit unused for years, Chase may eventually close it for inactivity. When that happens, any points tied to that specific card transfer to your Ultimate Rewards account — but if that was your last open Chase card, your entire rewards account may close within a few months, and the points disappear. The exact timeline is not published, but most cardholders report their account stays open for at least 3 to 6 months after the last card closes.
How to keep your points safe if you want to close a card
If you plan to close a Chase card but want to keep your points, open a different Chase card first or make sure you have another Chase card already open. Points from the card you close will move to your Ultimate Rewards account, and as long as you have one active Chase card, your rewards account will stay open and your points will remain.
You do not need to redeem your points before closing a card. The points themselves are tied to your Ultimate Rewards account, not to any individual card. When you close a card, the points stay put — they just move into your central rewards pool. You can then redeem them whenever you want, as long as your account is still active.
Redeeming points before they disappear
If you are closing your last Chase card and do not plan to open another one, redeem your points before you close the account. Once your rewards account closes, you cannot access the points. Chase does not give you a grace period to redeem after closure — the points are simply gone.
Redemption itself is instant or nearly instant. You can redeem points for cash back to your checking account (usually within 1 to 3 business days), transfer them to a travel partner, or use them to book travel through the Chase travel portal. There is no deadline for when you must redeem once you have decided to do so — you just need to do it before your account closes.
What happens if your account becomes inactive
Inactivity is different from closing a card. If you have an open Chase card but never use it and never pay a statement balance, Chase may flag the account as inactive. This is rare, but it can happen. The threshold varies by card and by Chase's internal policies, but generally an account that shows no activity for 12 months or longer is at risk.
If Chase closes your account due to inactivity, any points in your Ultimate Rewards account are forfeited. You will receive notice before this happens — Chase typically sends a warning letter — but the window to act is limited. If you receive such a notice, use your card immediately or redeem your points right away to protect them.
Points tied to specific cards versus your central account
Chase Ultimate Rewards points live in a central account that is linked to all your Chase cards. When you earn points on any Chase card, they go into the same pool. When you close one card, the points do not disappear — they stay in that central account. This is different from some other card issuers, where points are locked to a specific card and lost when you close it.
This structure actually works in your favor. You can earn points on multiple Chase cards, let one card sit unused, close it, and your points are still there. The only risk is if you close all your Chase cards at once — then your entire rewards account may close, and you lose access to everything.
Transferring points to travel partners
If you have points you are worried about losing, one option is to transfer them to a travel partner. Chase has partnerships with airlines and hotel chains including United, Southwest, Hyatt, and others. Once points are transferred to a partner account, they are no longer Chase's responsibility — they follow that partner's expiration rules instead.
Most travel partners do not expire points as long as there is activity in your account with them. Activity can mean earning new points, redeeming points, or even just logging in. This can actually be safer than keeping points in your Chase account if you are concerned about account closure. However, transfer rates vary — sometimes you get better value by redeeming for cash back instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose my points if I don't use my Chase card for a year?
Not automatically. Your points stay in your Ultimate Rewards account as long as your card remains open and your account is in good standing. However, if Chase closes your card due to inactivity and you have no other open Chase cards, your rewards account may close within a few months and your points will be forfeited.
What if I close my Chase card — do my points disappear?
No. Your points move to your central Ultimate Rewards account and stay there as long as you have at least one other Chase card open. If you close all your Chase cards, your rewards account will eventually close (usually within 3 to 6 months) and any remaining points will be lost.
Can I redeem my points after I close my card?
Yes, as long as your Ultimate Rewards account is still open. You can redeem points anytime after closing a card, even years later, as long as you have another active Chase card. Once your entire rewards account closes, you cannot redeem anything.
Do Chase points expire if I transfer them to an airline?
Once transferred, they follow the airline's expiration rules, not Chase's. Most airlines do not expire points as long as your account has activity, but policies vary. Check your airline's terms before transferring if expiration is a concern.
How do I know if my Chase account is about to close?
Chase will send you a notice if they plan to close your account due to inactivity. If you receive one, use your card immediately or redeem your points right away. If you have not received a notice and you have an open card in good standing, your account should remain active.