7 Crucial Chipotle Rewards Expiration Rules You Must Know Before Your Free Entree Disappears

Are you sitting on a pile of Chipotle Rewards points, wondering if they’re safe? As of December 17, 2025, the short answer is yes, both your points and your redeemed rewards can expire, but they follow two very different timelines. Understanding these rules is crucial to maximizing your loyalty benefits and ensuring your next free burrito bowl doesn't vanish into thin air.

The Chipotle Rewards program is designed to reward frequent customers, but it requires a baseline level of activity. The key to keeping your points is simple: make at least one qualifying purchase every six months. However, once you cash in those points for a free meal, the clock starts ticking much faster. This guide breaks down the exact expiration policies for both your point balance and your redeemed rewards, based on the most current program terms.

The Two-Part Expiration Rule: Points vs. Redeemed Rewards

The most common mistake Chipotle fans make is confusing the expiration rule for their accumulated points with the expiration rule for a reward they have already redeemed. They are governed by two distinct policies that you must track separately.

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1. How Long Do Chipotle Rewards Points Last? (The 180-Day Rule)

Your main balance of Chipotle Rewards points is safe, but only as long as you remain an active member. The official policy is clear: your entire point balance will expire if your account is inactive for a period of 180 days.

• The Inactivity Trigger: Inactivity is defined as not making a "qualifying purchase" that earns points. This means you need to use your Chipotle Rewards account at least once every six months.
• The Fix: To reset the 180-day clock, simply make any qualifying purchase—whether it's a single taco, a side of guacamole, or a full burrito order—and scan your rewards code or log into your account. This single transaction will extend the expiration date for your entire point balance for another 180 days.
• The Entity List (LSI Keywords): Chipotle Mexican Grill, Rewards Program, Point Balance, Account Inactivity, Qualifying Purchase, 180-Day Rule, Loyalty Benefits, Mobile App, Chipotle.com.

2. How Long Does a Redeemed Free Entree Last? (The 60-Day Rule)

Once you’ve accumulated enough points (typically 1,250 points for a standard entree) and you exchange them for a reward, that reward becomes a digital coupon with a much shorter shelf life.

• Standard Free Entree Expiration: A free entree reward redeemed with points is typically valid for 60 days from the date you exchanged your points for it.
• The Critical Difference: Unlike your point balance, this 60-day deadline is fixed and does not reset with account activity. You must use the reward within those two months, or it will expire and be lost forever. Your points will not be credited back to your account.
• Pro Tip: Only redeem your points when you know you will visit Chipotle within the next 60 days. Keep your points in your balance where they are protected by the longer 180-day inactivity window.

Understanding Promotional and Special Offer Expirations

While the 180-day and 60-day rules cover the standard points and free entree rewards, Chipotle frequently runs limited-time promotions and special offers, which have their own, often much stricter, expiration dates. Always check the fine print on these rewards.

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3. Promotional Free Entrees (BOGO Codes, Game Wins, etc.)

Free entree codes or Buy-One-Get-One (BOGO) offers earned through special events, like a giveaway on social media, a sports promotion, or a limited-time game, almost always have a very short expiration window.

• Typical Timeline: These codes can expire in as little as 7 days, or even by the end of a specific calendar day. For example, a BOGO code from a recent sports final might expire on a specific date in June.
• Action Required: Check the details in the reward section of the Chipotle app immediately. Do not assume they follow the 60-day rule.

4. Birthday Rewards and Other Surprises

Chipotle occasionally sends out special rewards for your birthday or other milestones. These rewards are treated like promotional offers and will have an expiration date tied to the event.

• Check the Message: The expiration date is always clearly stated in the notification or email you receive. Use these rewards promptly, as they are typically valid for a short time around the celebration date.

The Legal Context of Rewards Expiration

You may wonder if it's even legal for a company to expire a loyalty reward. In the case of Chipotle Rewards, the answer is yes, due to how the program is structured.

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5. Points Are Not Gift Cards

A key legal distinction is that Chipotle Rewards points are not considered "gift cards" or "prepaid stored value." Gift cards are generally protected by laws that prevent them from expiring, but loyalty points are viewed as a promotional benefit that can be subject to an expiration policy, provided they were not sold to the customer.

6. The Difference Between Points and Credits

While the standard points expire after 180 days of inactivity, some special "Chipotle Rewards credits" earned through unique promotions may have a longer expiration, such as one year. These are rare and specific to the promotion, so always read the terms for any non-standard credit you receive.

How to Never Let Your Chipotle Rewards Expire

Preventing your hard-earned points from expiring is simple. Implement these two strategies into your routine:

7. Set a Calendar Reminder

Since the 180-day clock resets with any qualifying purchase, set a recurring reminder on your phone for every 5 months (or 150 days). This gives you a 30-day buffer to make a purchase before the 180-day deadline hits. Even a small purchase of chips and salsa is enough to keep your entire point balance secure.

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In summary, your Chipotle Rewards points are safe for 180 days as long as you stay active, but once you convert those points into a free entree, you have a firm 60-day deadline to use it. Be a smart Burrito fan: keep your points in your balance until you are ready to eat!