09.11.2026 07:50
As the end of the year approaches, a warning came from consumer associations to credit card, bank card, and loyalty card holders. It was stated that cash points, miles, and rewards earned from purchases may be deleted at the end of the year. TÜKONFED Deputy Chairman İbrahim Güllü asked consumers to check their card balances and expiration dates. Güllü said that for points deleted unlawfully, consumers can apply to the relevant business and, if necessary, to the Consumer Arbitration Committee.
Card points that provide advantages in shopping create a risk of loss of rights for consumers as the end of the year approaches. Points accumulated in loyalty programs offered by banks as well as supermarkets, clothing stores, fuel companies and various brands can be deleted if they are not used within the specified period. İbrahim Güllü, Acting President of the Consumer Confederation (TÜKONFED), made warnings about the practice that concerns millions of consumers and said that cards should be checked before the year ends.
POINTS ON YOUR CARD MAY NOT CARRY OVER TO THE NEW YEAR
Noting that the points consumers earn as they shop do not always provide an unlimited right of use, Güllü drew attention to the fact that some businesses send SMS or email messages toward the end of the year to notify that unused points will be deleted. However, he stated that many people do not know how many points have accumulated on their cards, until what date they can be used, and whether they will be transferred to the new year.
Güllü also raised important questions about the legal dimension of the practice and used the following statements:
“If consumers do not use them, they face the danger of losing the points they have accumulated. Moreover, many consumers do not know how many points are on their card, the expiration date of these points, or whether they will be transferred to the new year.”
“CAN VESTED RIGHTS BE DELETED BY A UNILATERAL DECISION?”
Emphasizing that the conditions regarding the deletion of points must be clearly notified to consumers in advance, Güllü stated that it must be questioned whether businesses can eliminate vested rights with a message they send later.
Güllü asked the question, “Can points that a consumer has earned by shopping be deleted by the unilateral decision of businesses?” and drew attention to the fact that a period not specified at the start of the campaign but announced by SMS at the end of the year must be evaluated from a legal perspective. Noting that loyalty programs affect consumers’ shopping preferences, Güllü emphasized the importance of explaining the conditions for earning and using points clearly from the outset.
MAKE THESE CHECKS BEFORE THE YEAR ENDS
Making recommendations to consumers to prevent possible loss of rights, Güllü said that not only credit cards but also debit cards and loyalty cards belonging to supermarkets, clothing and fuel companies should be examined. Asking consumers to find out the amount of accumulated cash points, miles and other rewards, Güllü recommended checking expiration dates through mobile banking applications or customer services.
Stating that in cases where the conditions regarding the deletion of points are disclosed in advance and are lawful, consumers can use their points before the period expires in line with their needs, Güllü recommended taking screenshots of point balances against possible disputes. He also stated that SMS messages, emails, campaign announcements and shopping receipts should be kept.
WHAT SHOULD CONSUMERS WHOSE POINTS HAVE BEEN DELETED DO?
Stating that consumers who think their accumulated points have been deleted unlawfully can exercise their right to object, Güllü said that first a written application should be made to the relevant bank or business. If no result is obtained from the application, he stated that, depending on the nature of the dispute, the Consumer Arbitration Committee can be approached.
Reminding that the purpose of loyalty cards is to reward customers and build trust between businesses and consumers, Güllü emphasized that these practices should not turn into a loss of rights against consumers. Asking companies to offer systems through which point balances can be easily checked, Güllü said, “Before the points earned by the consumer are deleted, the obligation to inform must be fulfilled and vested rights must be protected.”