Point Expiration
 

Being new to this hobby, I've been trying to read up and sign up for all the free info I can. One thing I've learned the hard way is that SPG and Jetblue points expire unless you stay/fly with them or have their credit card. I have neither (though am considering the SPG card, but haven't pulled the trigger yet). So my question, are there any other programs that are like this? I know Choice expires after 2 years. Is there a way around that? Thanks experts.

Find promotions to create activity on your account. Credit cards are the easy way. Otherwise I transfer points (e.g., to Hilton, Hyatt), or just create activity (AAdvantage email promotions, TD Ameritrade account fund). For SPG I am not sure what expiration requirements are, but perhaps you can transfer from AMEX to SPG to count as activity? I'm sure its been discussed on the SPG forum if you do a quick search. One tip for managing your accounts is to use an aggregator, like Award Wallet.

I do use Awardwallet. My recent Jetblue "activity" is what caused me to post this. My points are expiring soon, so I did some shopping through their online mall. I then read that online shopping didn't count toward mile expiration, so I got scared for all my other programs.

For SPG, you can extend the expiration by dining at one of their hotels as long as you spend more than $10. At the end of the meal, give them your SPG number and ask if they can give you the points.

Make sure you keep the receipt, and follow up with SPG customer service if the points don't post. Based on the SPG forums it's about 50/50 if the points will post automatically, but if you email them with a copy of the receipt customer service will take care of it.

Choice expires after 2 to 3 years, ie, it always expires at least 2 years later, on Dec 31. So points that appear in your account on Dec 31 expire 2 years later, points that appear in your account on Jan 1 expire 3 years (minus 1 day) later, and points that appear in your account in the middle of the year expire in about 2 and half years.

And, no, there's no way around that.

US-based legacy arilines, as well as BA (and maybe other UK airlines) all allow expiration to be deferred by pretty much any partner activity.

Many (most?) other foreign airlines have hard expirations you can't get around no matter what. For that reason, I have not started collecting with any foreign airlines other than BA.

Amtrak is another one which requires that you have the credit card and use it (not sure how often, but I use it at least once every few months) to avoid expiration, if you aren't doing paid Amtrak rail travel.

And in case it isn't obvious, credit card specific points (C1 Venture "miles", FlexPerks points, ThankYou points) require you to keep a credit card linked to that program alive. (You can typically switch between annual fee and no annual fee versions, though.) But keep in mind that cards that show no activity for a period of time can be cancelled by banks, so any card you care about keeping but otherwise aren't using, make a purchase once a year or so with it at least.

iTunes ?
 

I know United as a mileage mall, and you can buy a song for 69cents.
I have done that a few times for my kids to keep their accounts going. Log on with their number, but use your cc.

EDIT: You might have to spend over $1 to get the minimum.

Just look carefully at their website to see the options for extending the expiration dates. There are almost always easy ways to do it without staying/flying.