Millions of travel points expire unused every year, mostly because their owners did not know their program's rules. Most expirations are preventable with a single small transaction.

Two expiry systems exist. Inactivity expiry, used by Marriott, Aeroplan and Cathay, wipes points after 12 to 24 months without activity. Hard expiry, used by Emirates, KrisFlyer and Miles and More, kills miles 36 months after they are earned no matter what.

For inactivity programs, any earning or redeeming activity resets the clock. A small shopping portal purchase or a single co-branded card transaction is usually enough.

If points are about to expire, redeem them for gift cards, merchandise or charity rather than losing them entirely. And never close a credit card without using or transferring its points first.