When travelers think about canceling, they are often referring to more than just one action. It could be canceling a flight booked with miles, withdrawing from a hotel loyalty program, or closing a travel credit card that earns points. Each of these cancellations carries the risk of losing something valuable, such as miles, rewards, elite status, or even future upgrade eligibility.

The good news is that there are ways to cancel or step away from these programs without forfeiting everything you’ve earned. This guide breaks down how to approach cancellations step-by-step while protecting the value of your rewards.

The Pre-Cancellation Checklist: What to Review First

Before clicking any cancel button or calling support, take a moment to prepare. The steps below can save hundreds in lost value.

1. Read the Rules of the Program

Every loyalty program, whether airline, hotel, or credit card, has its own cancellation policy. These policies determine what happens to your points if you cancel and what deadlines you need to meet to avoid penalties.

2. Know the Cancellation Window

Most airlines and hotels have deadlines tied to your reservation. Cancel within that window and your rewards often remain untouched. Miss it, and you might pay a redeposit fee or lose your points entirely.

3. Identify Where and How You Booked

Direct bookings with airlines or hotels are easier to manage. But if you booked through a travel agency, rewards portal, or third-party site like Expedia, you may need to deal with them first before making changes.

4. Check Your Points Expiration

Some programs set expiration dates for inactive accounts. If you cancel your membership or card, that timer may start ticking fast. Make sure you know how long you have before your points vanish.

5. Review Your Status and Perks

Elite members or those with co-branded credit cards often have different rules. Some airlines waive fees for elite members, and some credit cards keep your points alive even if you cancel a reservation. Understand what you have access to before you cancel.

How to Cancel Without Losing Points

If you’re within the rules, cancellation can be straightforward. If you’re not, there are still ways to minimize damage.

1. Cancel Online When Possible

Most airlines and hotel chains allow cancellations through their website or app. Go to the “My Trips” or “My Reservations” section, and follow the steps. This works well if you’re within the allowed window.

2. Contact Support When You’re Outside the Window

If you’ve missed the cancellation deadline, call the airline or hotel directly. In many cases, especially if you explain the reason (e.g., emergency, illness, flight change), they may waive fees or allow a one-time exception. Always ask if points can be refunded or rebooked.

3. Downgrade Instead of Cancelling Your Account or Card

If you’re considering closing a travel credit card or loyalty account, ask about downgrade options. Many credit card issuers offer lower-tier cards that keep your points intact without the high annual fee. For hotel or airline memberships, see if there’s a “pause” option that holds your rewards while you take a break.

4. Transfer Points Before Closing Accounts

If you are closing a card that earns transferable points (like Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards), move the points to a partner airline or hotel before canceling. Once the card is closed, unredeemed points may be forfeited.

5. Know the Risks of Third-Party Bookings

If your booking was made through a third-party like Expedia or Chase Travel, you’ll need to cancel through them. Be aware that some programs won't return points unless you go through the original booking channel. Contact the third-party first, then confirm the refund policy with the airline or hotel.

Bonus Tip: Many loyalty programs allow you to make a small purchase through their shopping or dining portals to extend the life of your rewards. Use this as a buffer before canceling your main membership or account.

Airline, Hotel, and Credit Card Rules You Need to Know

Not all programs follow the same rules. Here’s a breakdown of how the major players handle cancellations and reward retention.

Airlines

1. Delta: SkyMiles never expire. Cancel your booking within the window, and you can often reuse points without a fee.
2. American Airlines: Offers a 24-hour cancellation grace period. After that, a redeposit fee applies unless you qualify for a waiver.
3. United: Flexible cancellation policy for award tickets, but fees apply if you miss the window or hold basic status.

Hotels

1. Marriott Bonvoy: Points remain active as long as there’s qualifying activity every 24 months. Cancellations within the policy window usually return points automatically.
2. Hilton Honors: Often requires hotel manager intervention to refund points for late cancellations. More generous to elite members.
3. IHG One Rewards: Policies vary by booking and status level. Elite members may receive more flexible treatment.

Credit Cards

1. Chase Sapphire: Canceling a card forfeits any unused Ultimate Rewards unless they’re transferred to a partner or used before closure. A 24-hour refund rule applies to Chase Travel bookings.
2. American Express: Membership Rewards points are lost if not used or transferred before account closure.
3. Co-branded Cards: Canceling can affect reward retention unless your points are safely stored in a linked loyalty account (e.g., Marriott, Delta).

What to Do If You’ve Already Canceled

It happens that maybe you closed your card before transferring points or canceled a trip without checking the deadline. Here’s how to salvage the situation.

1. Call Customer Support Immediately

Airlines and hotels may have a short grace period where they can still reverse a cancellation or refund points. This is especially true if you canceled within a few days or have elite status.

2. Check if Rewards Are in Holding

Some programs temporarily hold your points for rebooking, even if you didn’t follow every step. Log in to your account and check your reward balance or transaction history.

3. Look for Rebooking Options or Extensions

Instead of asking for a refund, ask if the airline or hotel can issue a travel credit or reschedule your trip without a penalty. This works best when dealing directly with the provider.

4. Trigger Account Activity to Reset Expiration

Even after cancellation, you may be able to make a small purchase through a partner or transfer a point to reset the clock on your remaining rewards.

5. File a Complaint or Escalate If Necessary

If you feel that your cancellation met policy guidelines but points were still removed, document your interactions and escalate to a supervisor or file a complaint through customer relations.

How to Keep Your Points From Expiring After Canceling

Canceling a trip or closing an account doesn't always mean your rewards vanish, but they can expire quickly without activity. Here's how to prevent that.

1. Use Shopping or Dining Portals

Many loyalty programs partner with online stores or restaurants. A small purchase through these portals can extend your expiration window for another year or more. This counts as account activity and keeps your balance alive.

2. Set Calendar Reminders for Inactivity Deadlines

Most programs have inactivity expiration rules, often 12 to 24 months without a qualifying transaction. Use a travel tracker app or set reminders to avoid letting valuable points go unused.

3. Keep a Low-Fee or No-Fee Account Active

If you're closing a high-fee credit card, see if the issuer offers a no-fee version that still earns or holds the same rewards. This helps maintain account continuity and prevents your points from being wiped.

4. Use AwardWallet or Similar Tools

AwardWallet tracks loyalty balances and sends alerts before points expire. This can help you stay on top of multiple programs, especially if you rarely log in to each one.

5. Understand What Qualifies as Account Activity

Each program defines activity differently. Some require actual redemption or earning through their ecosystem, while others count transfers or partner bookings. Review their terms before assuming a simple login resets the clock.

Should You Use Trip Insurance or Credit Card Protection?

If you cancel trips frequently or want peace of mind, consider protecting your bookings in advance. There are two common ways: trip insurance and credit card benefits.

Trip Insurance

Travel insurance can cover nonrefundable bookings when the cancellation is due to covered reasons, such as illness, job loss, or weather-related disruption. These policies typically reimburse prepaid costs like flights, hotels, or tours.

1. Basic trip cancellation insurance covers specific, pre-approved events.
2. Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) upgrades allow broader protection but are more expensive and often only cover up to 75% of your trip cost.

Credit Card Cancellation Benefits

Premium travel cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Platinum include built-in trip cancellation and interruption insurance, at no extra cost. These cover up to a set dollar amount per trip, and can reimburse for flights, hotels, or even baggage delays.

1. You must use the card to book the trip.
2. Coverage amounts and terms vary by issuer.
3. These benefits often exclude voluntary cancellations or changes.

What to Watch For

1. Most policies have exclusions, such as pre-existing conditions or voluntary no-show cancellations.
2. You must submit claims within a strict time frame, often within 60 to 90 days of cancellation.

Is It Better to Cancel or Downgrade?

Many travelers think canceling is the only way to avoid fees, but in some cases, downgrading offers better long-term value.

Downgrade Scenarios

1. You want to avoid the annual fee but still keep your points.
2. You no longer travel enough to justify premium perks.
3. You plan to reopen the card in the future, but don’t want to lose your credit history.

Benefits of Downgrading

1. Keeps your loyalty points safe.
2. Maintains credit age and account history (important for credit score).
3. Avoids reapplication and credit pull in the future.

Risks of Cancelling

1. Immediate forfeiture of unredeemed rewards in some programs.
2. Possible loss of elite status or years toward lifetime status.
3. Restarting the loyalty account in the future may require re-qualification.

Decision Guide

1. If your points are banked with the program (e.g., Marriott), canceling the card won’t affect your balance.
2. If your points are banked with the card issuer (e.g., Amex MR), you must transfer them before canceling or downgrading to preserve them.

What to Do Next: Secure Your Rewards Before You Cancel

If you’re planning to cancel a trip, close a travel credit card, or exit a loyalty program, don’t do it blindly. Review your expiration timelines, take advantage of downgrade options, and protect your points with activity or transfers.

When in doubt, call the provider and ask questions. Many programs are flexible if you communicate early.

Use the tools and strategies above to hold onto the value you've earned, and make sure that canceling doesn't cost you more than necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a flight booked with points and keep the miles?

Yes, if you cancel within the policy window. Otherwise, a redeposit fee may apply.

Do hotel points get refunded if I cancel my stay?

If you're within the cancellation deadline, most hotels will refund your points automatically.

What happens to my rewards if I cancel a credit card?

If the rewards are banked with the card issuer, they may be forfeited. Transfer or use them before closing the account.

Can I downgrade a card to avoid losing points?

Yes. Downgrading to a no-fee card usually keeps your rewards active and avoids loss.

Do third-party bookings affect cancellation refunds?

Yes. If you booked through a portal like Expedia or Chase Travel, you must work with them to cancel. Refunds and point returns may be delayed or denied if done incorrectly.

What if I canceled after the deadline?

Call the airline or hotel and explain your situation. In many cases, exceptions can be made or credits issued.

How do I check when my points expire?

Log into your loyalty account or use a tracking tool like AwardWallet.