---
title: "What is Losing points when closing a card? | Benefit Systems"
description: "Losing points when closing a card describes the forfeiture of a balance held in the issuer's own programme as soon as the account is shut."
source: "aus dem gebauten HTML abgeleitet"
---
# What is Losing points when closing a card?

Losing points when closing a card describes the forfeiture of a balance held in the issuer’s own programme as soon as the account is shut.

Also called: Forfeited points.

## How it works #

What matters is where the points actually sit. A balance already credited to an airline or hotel programme survives a card cancellation untouched. A balance in the issuer’s own currency is attached to the account and can vanish immediately. The practical rule follows: transfer or redeem first, cancel second, never the other way round.

## Not to be confused with #

Losing points on closure is not the same as expiry through inactivity: one follows an account being closed, the other an activity deadline running out.

## In German #

The German term is Punkteverfall bei Kartenkündigung. [German version of this term](/de/glossar/punkteverfall-bei-kuendigung)

## Related terms #

- [Product change](/en/glossary/product-change): A product change is swapping an existing card for a different one from the same issuer without closing the account and reapplying.
- [Transfer partner](/en/glossary/transfer-partner): A transfer partner is an airline or hotel programme that a bank or card programme can convert its points into.
- [Mileage expiry](/en/glossary/mileage-expiry): Mileage expiry is the loss of a balance when an account shows no activity for a defined period, or when a fixed deadline runs out.

## Articles that use this term #

- [What happens to your points when you close the card?](/en/knowledge/points-after-closing)
- [Cancel the card or downgrade it?](/en/knowledge/cancel-or-downgrade)
- [Do miles expire, and how do you stop it?](/en/knowledge/miles-expiry)