Do Amex points expire? The conditions that matter

“Never” is too simple

Do not treat Membership Rewards as a permanently available deposit. Italian rules tie redemption to a valid card in good standing and Club participation. An active card does not remove programme or reward conditions. The useful check concerns more than the age of the points: it also concerns the contractual relationship and intended redemption.

What 31 March 2027 means

The current award operation allows earning from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 unless extended. Reward requests follow catalogue dates instead: many transfers in the checked edition are available until 30 November 2026. These dates establish neither simultaneous deletion of every balance nor a guaranteed future extension. Check updated rules and the specific reward before delaying redemption.

If the card is closed or cancelled

On withdrawal from the card or Club, points are lost without a simultaneous reward request. The rules include an exception for transfer to a new card issued to the same holder within 60 days. Confirm it with Amex rather than assuming unrestricted redemption after closure. Cancellation for default forfeits points. Simply replacing an expiring physical card is not termination of the account.

Can you give them to a relative?

MR are personal and cannot be transferred to another cardholder; supplementary-card points belong to the primary holder. The receiving partner account must also be in the holder’s name. Distinguish family spending through supplementary cards, MR transfers and issuing a reward for someone else. That last possibility depends on the issuing programme’s rules.

Rules change after transfer

A partner transfer is irreversible and brings that programme’s validity rules. British Airways Club requires qualifying activity within 36 months; moving Avios through Combine My Avios does not prevent expiry. Do not automatically apply that rule to other airlines. Record programme, last qualifying activity and deadline: a transferred and forgotten balance may be less useful than the original MR.