End-of-Year App Reward Expirations: What to Use Before January
See which restaurant points, redeemed rewards, and hotel night awards expire in January and how to use them in time.
Use McDonald's points from June, Chipotle rewards redeemed in December, and Marriott Free Night Awards dated December 31 before January. App rewards are points, Stars, or awards stored in a restaurant or hotel app that you trade for food, drinks, or stays. The risk is not one deadline.
Each program sets its own reset or expiration rule. December is the time to check dates in each app and use what will not carry over.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 06, 2026.
What resets on January 1?
Chick-fil-A One redeemable points do not expire, but tier-qualifying points reset to zero on January 1 each year. That reset decides status progress for the new year. According to Chick-fil-A customer support, members keep spendable points while tier credit starts over Chick-fil-A membership tier details.
McDonald's MyMcDonald's Rewards points expire on the first day of the month after the sixth month from earning. Points earned in June expire January 1, so June points should be used before January. McDonald's Help Center FAQs give that six-month schedule McDonald's rewards help answers.
Which redeemed rewards expire fastest?
A redeemed reward is not the same as a point balance. Chick-fil-A One says redeemed rewards do expire, and members must check each reward date in the app under Rewards then My Rewards or online. Chipotle says redeemed menu Rewards generally expire 60 days after being added unless the specific reward states otherwise.
A December redemption is use-or-lose before late January. Chipotle states that 60-day rule in its terms updated April 13, 2026 Chipotle rewards terms.
How do rolling expirations hit in winter?
Some balances expire by age, not by calendar year. Dunkin' says Rewards points expire 12 months from the last day of the month earned, regardless of activity. Dunkin' gives December 7, 2025 earning as expiring December 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Starbucks ties Green-level Stars to a six-month life. Starbucks says Green-level Stars last six months but can be extended by a Star-earning purchase, reward redemption, or $30 digital reload. Gold and Reserve Stars never expire while that status is maintained.
What happens after a year without buying?
Chipotle Rewards points expire after 365 days with no qualifying purchase under April 2026 terms. A year of inactivity ending in December wipes the balance unless buying reactivates the account. That makes Chipotle a two-step check.
Look at last purchase date for the 365-day balance rule. Then look at each redeemed item for its shorter 60-day use window.
Which hotel awards must be used by checkout?
Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Awards must be redeemed for a stay on or before the listed expiration date. They cannot be extended. Marriott Help uses a December 31 expiry requiring checkout on or before that date Marriott help article on Free Night Awards.
That checkout rule matters for holiday trips. A stay that starts before expiry but ends after does not satisfy a December 31 date. Book an eligible night and finish checkout on time.