Confirm the exact deadline
Identify the expiration date, applicable time zone, online cutoff, and whether different point categories have different rules. Do not rely only on a general annual statement.
Review banking and extension options
Some programs allow points to be saved, extended, deposited, or converted before a deadline. Fees, eligibility, usage limitations, and future expiration dates may apply.
Search for practical owner use
Consider near-term travel, shorter stays, drive-to destinations, family guest use, or reservations that combine expiring points with other balances where the rules allow.
Evaluate exchange carefully
An exchange deposit may preserve some value, but understand trading limitations, exchange fees, expiration, availability, and commercial-use restrictions before acting.
Consider eligible rental strategy early
If the program permits owner rentals, the points still need to become a desirable, valid reservation. Booking windows, demand, unit type, dates, and lead time matter. Unreserved points are not automatically marketable inventory.