Dunkin' just dropped some news that'll affect how you manage your rewards points — and if you're rocking the American Express Gold Card, you'll want to pay attention. Starting October 6, 2025, Dunkin' Rewards is tightening up their expiration policy in a way that could cost you free coffee if you're not careful.

Here's what's changing, why it matters for your Amex Gold strategy, and how to make sure you don't lose a single point.

What's Actually Changing with Dunkin' Rewards

The big change? Dunkin' points will now expire exactly 12 months after you earn them, with no way to extend that deadline. Previously, your points would only expire after 6 months of complete account inactivity — meaning as long as you earned or redeemed something every six months, your points lived forever.

Here's the timeline breakdown:

• Old policy: Points expired after 6 months of zero account activity
• New policy: Points expire 12 months after earned (effective October 6, 2025)
• Example: Points earned on January 15, 2026 will expire on January 31, 2027

The good news? Dunkin' is also adding more personalized offers and expanded redemption options, though they haven't shared specifics yet.

Why This Matters for Amex Gold Cardholders

If you've got the Amex Gold Card, you're probably already familiar with one of its best perks: up to $84 in annual statement credits for Dunkin' purchases (that's $7 per month). This makes Dunkin' essentially free money if you're strategic about it.

But here's where the new expiration policy creates a potential problem. Let's say you're maximizing your Amex Gold benefit by spending exactly $7 at Dunkin' each month. At Dunkin's standard earning rate of 5 points per dollar spent, you're accumulating 35 points monthly, or 420 points annually.

Under the old system, these points could accumulate indefinitely as long as you stayed active. Under the new system, you'll need to actively manage redemptions to avoid losing points to expiration.

Smart Strategies to Maximize Your Dunkin' + Amex Gold Combo

Strategy 1: Set Monthly Redemption Reminders

Since you're earning about 35 points monthly from your Amex Gold benefit, and most Dunkin' rewards start around 150-200 points, you'll want to redeem every 4-6 months. Set a phone reminder for the first of every quarter to check your points balance.

Strategy 2: Use the "Earn and Burn" Approach

Instead of hoarding points, adopt a regular redemption schedule. A free medium coffee typically costs 150 points, so you'll earn enough for a freebie roughly every 4-5 months of consistent Amex Gold usage.

Strategy 3: Stack Dunkin' Promotions

Dunkin' frequently runs bonus point promotions (like "earn double points on Tuesday"). Use these to accelerate your earning, but remember: those bonus points are also subject to the 12-month expiration clock.

Strategy 4: Time Your Redemptions Wisely

Here's a crucial detail: once you redeem points for a reward, you have 30 days to actually use it. Don't redeem a free coffee reward unless you plan to grab that coffee within the month.

Breaking Down the Math

Let's run the numbers on a typical Amex Gold + Dunkin' Rewards scenario:

Monthly Amex Gold usage: $7 (for maximum credit) Points earned: 35 per month Annual points: 420 points Free drinks per year: 2-3 (depending on redemption values)

Under the new expiration policy, you'll need to redeem at least every 8-10 months to avoid losing points. That's actually pretty manageable for most people.

What Stays the Same

Not everything's changing with this Dunkin' Rewards refresh. You'll still earn:

• 5 points per dollar on Dunkin' purchases
• Bonus points on your birthday
• Access to member-only deals
• The same path to "Boosted Status" (their loyalty tier)

Your Amex Gold benefit isn't changing either — you'll still get up to $84 annually in statement credits.

How to Prepare for October 6, 2025

Before the change takes effect:

1. Check your current points balance in the Dunkin' app or website
2. Note when you earned those points (if you can track it)
3. Plan redemptions for any points you've been hoarding
4. Update your strategy to include regular redemptions

After October 6:

1. Track your earning dates more carefully
2. Set quarterly redemption reminders
3. Take advantage of new personalized offers as they roll out

The Bottom Line

This change isn't necessarily bad news — it's just different. While the old "earn forever" approach worked great for infrequent Dunkin' visitors, the new 12-month expiration actually gives you a longer guaranteed window than many other loyalty programs.

For Amex Gold cardholders specifically, this shouldn't significantly impact your strategy. You're already earning points regularly through your monthly benefit usage, and 420 annual points is easily manageable under a 12-month expiration timeline.

The key is shifting from a "set it and forget it" mindset to active points management. Set those reminders, watch for the new personalized offers, and keep enjoying your essentially-free Dunkin' runs courtesy of your American Express Gold Card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my existing points expire on October 6, 2025? No, existing points will transition to the new system but won't immediately expire. Dunkin' hasn't specified exactly how they'll handle the transition, but expect existing points to get a new 12-month clock starting from the implementation date.

Can I extend my points by making a small purchase? No, unlike the old system where any activity reset your expiration clock, the new system is fixed at 12 months from when each point is earned.

Does this affect Dunkin' gift cards purchased with points? Gift cards purchased through point redemption should follow the same 30-day usage window as other rewards.

Should I still sign up for Dunkin' Rewards with my Amex Gold? Absolutely. The rewards are still valuable, and with proper management, the expiration policy won't significantly impact your earning potential.

What if I forget to redeem points before they expire? Unfortunately, there's no way to recover expired points under the new system. This is why setting up reminders is crucial for maximizing your rewards value.

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