Protect Your Points Act

Full Title:
Protect Your Points Act of 2026

Summary#

The Protect Your Points Act of 2026 would add a new section to federal aviation law giving rules for airline frequent flyer programs and co-branded credit cards. It requires covered airlines to show the dollar value of one point or mile on their websites and apps, update that value in real time, and show different values if they vary by card or loyalty tier. The bill would ban expiration dates on points and stop airlines from charging fees to access, use, redeem, or redeposit points. It would require airlines to let consumers transfer points to other program members without limits or transfer fees (except to prevent fraud) and to keep transferred points the same value. Airlines would need to display airfare and ancillary fees both in dollars and in points, show the percentage of points successfully redeemed in the prior 12 months, offer buying options that mix dollars and points, and require multi-factor authentication for frequent flyer accounts. The bill also requires at least one year notice before changing terms that would devalue points or alter customer agreements and lets the Transportation Secretary write regulations and coordinate with the CFPB and FTC.

What it means for you#

  • You would see the dollar value of one point or mile on airline websites and apps.
  • Points could not expire, and airlines could not charge you fees to use or access them.
  • You could transfer points to other members of the same program without limits or transfer fees (fraud protections allowed).
  • Airlines would show ticket and extra-fee prices both in dollars and in points, and would show how often points were redeemed in the last year.
  • You would be able to buy travel using any mix of dollars and points when booking.
  • Airlines must give at least 1 year notice before making changes that reduce the value or use of your points.
  • Frequent flyer accounts would require multi-factor authentication and other security measures.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on estimated costs to the federal government, airlines, or consumers appears in the bill text. The bill does authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations, which could affect implementation costs, but the text does not provide estimates.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information on proponents' arguments or Congressional findings appears in the bill text or metadata provided.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opponents' arguments appears in the bill text or metadata provided.