Sorry to say it, but this is a silly thing to say. Those points could be worth an awful lot to you in the future.

Just keep the account ticking over so they don't expire, as the OP has said. One day you might want to travel somewhere, or to upgrade a flight to a higher class. If you cant afford holidays etc right now, then save them for when you can.

Or use them for a car hire or a hotel. You don't have to afford a special holiday to treat you and your family to a night or two away in a super hotel, even one on your doorsteep.