Do Credit Card Rewards Points Expire?

Already racked up a year's worth of credit card rewards points?

You're probably wondering whether you should redeem them now or later. The right timing for redemption depends on your credit card provider's rewards program.

For most rewards credit cards in the Philippines, points have no expiry and are valid as long as you meet certain conditions. So yes, you can hold on a little longer to those precious points if you want to.

When Do Credit Card Rewards Points Expire?

Credit Cards Rewards Points Philippines

Before you redeem your credit card points, it's important to know if your card qualifies for rewards, if your points are valid for redemption, and when they expire.

Fortunately, most credit card providers in the Philippines don't have an expiration date on their rewards programs. Only HSBC credit cards have a two or three-year expiry on rewards points.

With non-expiring rewards, you can redeem points anytime as long as your credit card account is in good credit standing.

Generally, good credit standing means the following:

No violation of the credit card terms and conditions
Paying credit card bills on time and in full, or at least the minimum amount due
Active and valid credit card account
Staying below credit card limit

Credit Card Rewards Validity

Here's a table that shows the details of rewards validity per credit card issuer.

Credit Card Providers	Eligible Cards for Rewards Points Program	Credit Card Rewards Expiration
AUB	Easy Mastercard Classic Mastercard Gold Mastercard Mastercard Platinum	None, as long as the account is in good credit standing
BDO	Diamond/Gold UnionPay JCB Lucky Cat/Gold/Platinum Standard/Gold/Titanium/Platinum Mastercard Visa Classic/Gold/Platinum	None, as long as the account is in good credit standing
BPI	Blue Mastercard Gold Mastercard Edge Mastercard Corporate Mastercard Corporate Classic e-Credit Mastercard	None, as long as the account is in good credit standing
China Bank	Platinum Mastercard Prime Mastercard World Mastercard	None, as long as the account is in good credit standing (Rewards points used to expire every year prior to 2017)
Citibank	Citi Rewards Card Citi Prestige Card	None, as long as the account is in good credit standing
EastWest Bank	Classic/Gold Mastercard Classic/Gold Visa DLSAA Mastercard	None, as long as the account is in good credit standing
HSBC	Advance Visa Classic Mastercard Classic Visa Gold Mastercard Platinum Visa Premier Mastercard Red Mastercard	Two years for Classic Visa and Classic Mastercard (Points expire at the end of the relevant month) Three years for Premier Mastercard, Platinum Visa, Gold Mastercard, Red Mastercard, and Advance Visa (Points expire at the end of the relevant month)
Maybank	All Maybank credit cards	None, as long as the account is in good credit standing
Metrobank	All Metrobank credit cards, except for Dollar Mastercard, M Lite Mastercard, and M Free Mastercard	None, as long as the account is in good credit standing
PNB	Co-branded credit cards Corporate credit cards Mastercard credit cards UnionPay credit cards PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles credit cards	None, as long as the account is in good credit standing
RCBC	All RCBC Bankard credit cards, except for myDream JCB, corporate cards, and some other co-branded cards	None, as long as the account is in good credit standing
Security Bank	Mastercard Classic/Gold/Platinum World Mastercard	None, as long as the account is in good credit standing
UnionBank	All UnionBank credit cards, including co-branded cards	None, as long as the account is in good credit standing

Will I Lose My Earned Points?

Yes, losing points may happen even if credit card rewards don't expire. Banks forfeit points under any of the following circumstances:

Inactive, delinquent, suspended, blocked, or canceled credit card account
Defaulting on credit card payments (at least 90 days overdue)
Breaking any rule in the credit card terms and conditions
Exceeding credit card limit
Fraud and abuse in earning rewards points
Lost card
Conversion to another credit card type (as in the case with Citibank credit cards)

So that your hard-earned credit card rewards points won't go to waste, keep your account in good standing.

My Credit Card Rewards Points are About to Expire. What Should I Do?

Credit Cards Rewards Points Philippines

Redeem your points immediately before they become invalid!

Banks like BDO and UnionBank allow redemption online. Simply go to your issuer's website, find its credit card rewards page, and fill out an online form.

BPI and other banks that don't have an online facility for credit card points redemption. They require cardholders to email their request or call the customer service hotline.

Processing of points redemption usually takes from one to three weeks from the request date.

Final Thoughts

Got more questions about your credit card rewards? Banks have separate terms and conditions for their rewards points program and promos—be sure to check them out on your card provider's website. You may also contact your bank's customer care hotline to know more about earning and redeeming rewards points with your credit card.