Points expire if you don't have any account activity within 12 months. But you might be surprised at what "account activity" means. Use the HH shopping mall to buy anything at all. Buy something really cheap, and don't return it for a refund. And you don't even have to use a HH cc. In fact, you don't need to have a HH cc open. Log in with your HH account #, and use any cc at all to make a $1 purchase. That will do it for another 12 months.

http://shoptoearn.hhonors.com/loyrew.../earnmallhome?

How about make a reservation with HH points that allows a free cancelation. Wait a day, then cancel it. Yes, that takes points out of your HH account, then puts them right back, with no fee to you. Strangely, that counts as account activity.