What Happens to Reward Points After You Pass Away?

Loss and the Rules of Reward Point Ownership

Experiencing the loss of a loved one is always a painful ordeal. Alongside the many arrangements to be made after their passing, determining the fate of their reward points and frequent flyer miles can be quite challenging. Fortunately, many loyalty programs have flexible policies that allow you to transfer points and miles after the original owner has passed away. Let’s simplify this process.

What Can Be Done with Reward Points After an Account is Deceased?

If you're preparing for matters related to your reward points before you depart, consider adding your loyalty account information to your will. This step will help your loved ones easily access your login details to utilize the points.

Nearly all reward programs allow you to book tickets for others using points and miles, provided they can log into your account. The most crucial aspect to remember is the expiration dates of the points.

Ensuring No Reward Points Go to Waste

Your loved ones have worked hard to earn every single reward point, so it’s essential that these points are utilized when they are no longer around. Make sure you understand the policies regarding the death of a member for each program. In addition to keeping their account information (including answers to security questions and email login details), you may also need an electronic copy of the death certificate.

Options for Transferring Points or Miles

When reviewing each program’s terms regarding the transfer of points after a member passes away, you’ll find several different options. Here are the choices ranked from best to worst:

• Transfer points or miles to another person’s account.
• Redeem points or miles for someone else’s trip.
• Convert points or miles into a fixed redemption value.

The best option is to transfer points or miles to another person’s account. If that’s not possible, check if you can keep their account open to book tickets for others (just be mindful of expiration policies).

Airline Policies After a Member Passes Away

Airlines usually have more lenient policies when it comes to booking reward flights for others using points and miles. Let’s take a look at some popular programs.

American Airlines AAdvantage: Generally, American Airlines does not allow miles to be transferred after a member’s death. However, with valid documentation, unused miles may be transferred to another account.

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles: Delta has very strict policies. If a member passes away, the account is closed and miles are forfeited.

JetBlue TrueBlue: JetBlue does not allow the transfer of miles after a member’s passing, but they do have a family pooling feature.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards: Reward points cannot be transferred to another member’s account in the event of death.

Credit Card Issuer Policies After a Member Passes Away

This is a crucial area to analyze. With credit card accounts, unused points on a closed account may be lost. Some companies, like American Express and Capital One, have specific policies regarding the management of rewards points after the account holder has passed away.

American Express: They do not clearly communicate what will happen to the points, but the estate executor can reach out for further details.

Capital One: Upon notification of the cardholder’s death, Capital One will close the account and convert any remaining miles into cash.

Chase Ultimate Rewards: Their policy is similar to Capital One, with all points automatically converted to cash.

It’s important to note that these reward points can be very valuable, so it’s essential to understand the implications before deciding to close an account to avoid losing benefits.

Conclusion

In any case, navigating through the policies of reward programs will help you retain the value that has been accumulated. Take the time to research and prepare for the unexpected, ensuring that you don’t miss the opportunity to utilize your loved one’s cherished reward points.