If you cancel more than 60 days before check In your points are returned to your account in most cases. There are case where they will be placed in a holding account which can then can only be used for reservations within 60 days. For example if you are NOT premiere plus and make a resevation 12 months in advance for a full week ( the is the only resevation you make at 12 months unless you have status ) and then cancel just a portion of the week, no matter how many days in advance your points will be put in a holding account. Another example is if you use points to make a resevation that your status does not allow, then cancel any part or all of that reservation, those points go in a holding account.