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Credit card reward points expiry — what is the validity period?

Shaurya Jindal

Asked 12 May 2026

12

Do reward points on Indian credit cards expire? If yes, after how many months of inactivity? Which banks have the longest validity?

4 Answers

Accepted
13
Sahil Awasthi·11 May 2026

I've held this card for 3 years. Quick reality check: the welcome benefit is good, the first-year fee waiver is easy, but from year 2 onwards you really have to work for the milestone benefits. Don't keep it if your monthly spend drops below the milestone threshold.

17
Palanivel Samanta·2 May 2026

I've been using this card for over a year now. In my experience, the rewards are decent but the real value is in the lounge access and the milestone benefits. Make sure to read the fine print on the welcome benefit — most banks only credit it after the first transaction, not on approval.

12
Vanya Iyengar·11 May 2026

I had the same dilemma. The way I decided was: list down my top 3 monthly spend categories, calculate the rewards on each card, and pick whichever gives the highest cashback on MY pattern. Generic 'best card' lists are useless for personal decisions.

2
Sarojini Chaturvedi·8 May 2026

On the lounge access — the PassApp / Dreamfolks integration works smoothly only if you've registered your card on the lounge app before reaching the airport. First-time users always face issues. Do it the night before, not at the lounge counter.

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