Plan points expiry without a login: the 90/30-day system for your miles

Most points losses start months before the expiry date: the policy is misclassified, an assumed activity does not qualify, or the transaction posts too late. A useful planner therefore does not need a frequent-flyer password. It needs only three controllable inputs: programme, balance and the date displayed by the official account.

What the planner does — and does not do

The AwardLevel expiry planner sorts manually entered dates and uses four working states: more than 90 days, 90 days or less, 30 days or less, and today or expired. These are AwardLevel planning thresholds, not programme rules. The official account and current terms remain the source of truth for the real expiry date.

Step 1: identify the expiry model

The same number can describe a different clock. With British Airways, qualifying Avios activity generally protects the balance for another 36 months. Miles & More instead applies earning batches and a 36-month plus quarter-end structure; one small new earning does not automatically save older batches. Aeroplan has temporarily paused its normal 18-month inactivity rule until 30 November 2026. Before taking action, determine whether the date is a fixed clock, inactivity clock or transition rule.

Step 2: copy the displayed date

1. Sign in to the official programme and check the expiry date or next expiring batch.
2. Save the balance, last posted activity and date as evidence.
3. Enter the displayed date; do not calculate backwards from a generic “24/36 months” summary.
4. If several batches expire, start with the earliest material deadline.

The planner is a reminder layer, not an account mirror. When the official date changes, update the local item.

Step 3: make the decision at 90 days

The 90-day state is the review point. There is still time to read the terms and choose an action that makes economic sense. An inactivity model may accept a qualifying earn or redemption. A fixed batch may require spending the affected miles. Buying points merely to “save” a balance without checking realistic value can replace a deadline problem with a bad deal.

Step 4: verify posting at 30 days

By 30 days, the chosen action should be underway and ideally posted. A registration, an uncredited stay or a transfer in the wrong direction may do nothing. Recheck the account after posting and save the new date. If the display conflicts with the official policy, contact the programme before expiry.

Three common traps

• Every movement counts: Marriott terms, for example, do not treat pure gifting or transfers as qualifying activity.
• One activity saves everything: that does not fit every fixed-expiry structure, including Miles & More and Emirates.
• Expiry is paused, so it is solved: Aeroplan’s pause ends on 30 November 2026, which is exactly why a lead time matters.

Start in two minutes

1. Open the AwardLevel radar and find the expiry planner.
2. Enter only three local details: programme, balance and official date.
3. Check the earliest red or amber item against the provider rule first.
4. After an activity posts, update the date or remove the completed item.

Bottom line

Automatic account aggregation is convenient but can require broader data access. Manual tracking needs one short monthly review while keeping credentials out of the system entirely. The aim is not to create the most reminders; it is to translate the correct programme policy into a provably posted action with enough time to fix an error.

Official rules checked 20 August 2026: Miles & More terms, British Airways Avios, Flying Blue validity, Aeroplan pause, Aeroplan inactivity policy, Emirates Skywards rules, Marriott Bonvoy terms and Hilton Honors points help. The 90/30-day states are AwardLevel planning thresholds; the account display and current provider terms control.