Hotels.com loyalty program, Welcome Rewards, is changing its expiration policy and removing the shelf life for credits but adding a new stipulation. Prior to Oct. 4, 2011, each credit was valid for three years from when it was earned and expired at the end of three years. Effective Oct. 4, 2011, credits will no longer expire as long as a qualifying purchase or redemption activity posts to a member’s account at least once every 12 months. Qualifying activity that will extend the life of credits includes completing a rewards-eligible stay or redeeming credits for a free stay. All credits will expire in a member’s account if they don’t earn or redeem during a 12-month period.

Welcome Rewards members earn a free night after staying 10 nights at over 135,000 hotels worldwide booked at Hotels.com. Credits toward free nights are automatically added to your account and you’ll automatically receive a free night after completing a total of 10 nights. The maximum value of your free night is the average daily rate of your 10 nights, but you can pay the difference if you book your free night at a higher rate room.