Key Takeaways
- Credit card points, airline miles, and hotel points are not automatically inherited and each program has different policies about death transfers
- Many loyalty programs allow transfers to surviving spouses or family members if you act quickly and provide proper documentation
- Some programs forfeit all points immediately upon death with no option for transfer or redemption
- The value of accumulated rewards can be substantial, potentially worth thousands of dollars in travel or cash back
- Planning ahead by adding authorized users, transferring points before death, or documenting account information helps preserve rewards for your family
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Understanding Loyalty Program Policies
Why Points Aren't Like Other Assets
Credit card points, airline miles, and hotel points are not considered property in the traditional legal sense. When you sign up for loyalty programs, you agree to terms and conditions that typically state the points belong to the company, not to you. You're granted the privilege of using them, but they don't have the same legal status as money in a bank account or stocks in an investment portfolio.
This distinction matters enormously when someone dies. Bank accounts and investment accounts are clearly owned assets that pass through estates according to wills or intestacy laws. Loyalty points, by contrast, are governed entirely by each program's specific terms and conditions. The company has broad discretion to decide what happens to points when an account holder dies, and these decisions vary widely from one program to another.
Most loyalty programs include provisions in their terms stating that points are non-transferable and have no cash value, though ironically these same companies allow you to redeem points for travel worth thousands of dollars. These contradictory positions give companies legal cover to forfeit points upon death while also maintaining flexibility to make exceptions in certain circumstances.
Common Policy Categories
Loyalty programs generally fall into a few categories regarding death transfers. Some programs allow transfers to surviving spouses or certain family members if you follow their process and provide required documentation. Others allow points to be used for final redemptions by authorized users or executors but won't transfer the account itself. Some programs offer no options at all and simply close accounts and forfeit all points immediately upon notification of death.
A few generous programs treat points almost like inheritable assets, allowing them to pass to beneficiaries named in wills or to estates for distribution. These programs are rare but worth knowing about if your loved one participated in them. At the other extreme, some programs are notoriously strict about forfeiting points and offer no recourse for families.
Understanding which category a particular program falls into requires researching their specific policies. Unfortunately, these policies often aren't prominently displayed and may require calling customer service or reading through lengthy terms and conditions to discover. The effort is worthwhile, though, when substantial point balances are at stake.
Reading the Fine Print
If you're trying to determine what will happen to a deceased person's points or if you're planning your own estate, reading program terms and conditions is essential. Look for sections about account termination, death of account holder, transferability, or beneficiary designations. Not all programs address death explicitly in their terms, which often means they handle situations case by case.
When reading terms, pay attention to specific requirements and deadlines. Some programs require you to notify them within a certain timeframe, provide specific documentation, or meet relationship requirements to qualify for transfers. Missing these requirements can result in forfeited points even when the program generally allows transfers.
Keep in mind that policies can change. A program that currently allows death transfers might change its policy in the future, and vice versa. This is another reason why using points rather than hoarding them indefinitely can be wise, at least once balances reach substantial levels.
Credit Card Rewards Programs
Major Credit Card Issuers' Policies
Major credit card companies have varying policies about rewards points when cardholders die. Some issuers allow points to be transferred to authorized users on the account or to surviving spouses. Others permit executors to redeem points for statement credits or other rewards but not to transfer them. A few simply close accounts and forfeit all unredeemed points immediately.
Chase Ultimate Rewards, for example, has been known to allow authorized users to maintain access to points if they keep the account open, though policies can vary by situation. American Express Membership Rewards has handled death situations differently depending on circumstances, sometimes allowing redemptions and sometimes not. Citi ThankYou Points and Capital One miles have their own distinct policies that may or may not accommodate families.
Because these policies often aren't publicly detailed and can be applied inconsistently, calling the card issuer's customer service and speaking with supervisors who handle estate matters is usually necessary. Be prepared to provide a death certificate, letters testamentary or letters of administration, and possibly other documentation. Getting clear information about options and requirements upfront prevents misunderstandings later.
Authorized User Accounts
If the deceased had authorized users on their credit card accounts, those users might retain access to points, at least temporarily. Authorized users aren't legally responsible for the debt but often can continue using the card until the account is officially closed. During this window, they might be able to redeem accumulated points before the account holder's death is reported to the card issuer.
However, this approach exists in a legal and ethical gray area. Technically, using the account after knowing the primary cardholder has died without informing the card issuer could be considered fraud. Executors have responsibilities to properly handle all estate assets, which includes credit card accounts and their rewards. Taking points without proper authorization could create legal problems or at minimum ethical concerns.
The better approach is being upfront with card issuers about the death while asking about options for preserving points. Many issuers will work with families when approached honestly and properly, especially when significant point balances are involved. Transparency about the situation and willingness to provide required documentation often yields better results than trying to circumvent the process.
Transferable vs. Non-Transferable Points
Some credit card rewards programs allow you to transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs even after death, if you can maintain account access. These transferable points are often the most valuable because you can move them to programs with better transfer policies before closing the credit card account. If you know a card issuer will forfeit points but the airline program they transfer to allows death transfers, moving points before reporting the death can preserve their value.
This strategy requires acting quickly and having login credentials for accounts. It also requires knowledge of which programs accept transfers and which offer better death transfer policies. If you're settling an estate and discover substantial transferable points, research the receiving programs' policies before moving points. You want to transfer them somewhere that will honor death transfers rather than into another program that will also forfeit them.
Non-transferable points that can only be redeemed directly through the credit card program offer fewer options. If the card issuer won't allow transfers or redemptions after death, these points are typically lost. This makes using non-transferable points during life rather than accumulating large balances particularly important.
Airline Miles and Loyalty Programs
Major U.S. Airlines' Policies
U.S. airline policies on death transfers vary significantly. Some airlines allow miles to be transferred to surviving spouses or immediate family members for free or for a small fee. Others charge substantial fees for death transfers but do permit them. A few airlines officially prohibit all transfers but sometimes make exceptions on a case-by-case basis when families push back.
Delta SkyMiles, for instance, has historically been strict about not allowing mile transfers except to surviving spouses. American Airlines AAdvantage has allowed transfers to beneficiaries for a fee. United MileagePlus has made exceptions for death transfers despite terms and conditions suggesting miles are non-transferable. Southwest Rapid Rewards has been relatively generous about allowing transfers to family members.
These policies can change, and implementation varies by the customer service representative you speak with. Documentation requirements typically include a death certificate, proof of relationship to the deceased, and letters of authority showing you're the executor or administrator. Some airlines also require notarized forms or have specific processes that must be followed exactly.
International Airlines' Approaches
International airlines often have different cultural and legal frameworks around death and inheritance, which can result in more flexible policies. Some European and Asian airlines routinely allow mile transfers to family members after death, viewing it as a customer service issue rather than a strict policy matter.
If your loved one had miles with international carriers, research those specific airlines' policies. Language barriers and different business practices can make the process more complex, but the potential for preserving valuable miles makes the effort worthwhile. Having documents translated or working with customer service representatives who speak English can facilitate these claims.
International programs may also have different documentation requirements based on their home countries' legal systems. Be prepared to provide various forms of proof and to navigate processes that may be less familiar than U.S. company procedures.
Alliance Programs and Partnerships
Many airlines belong to global alliances like Star Alliance, OneWorld, or SkyTeam, and miles in one airline's program can often be used to book flights on partner airlines. However, these partnerships don't typically extend to death transfer policies. Each airline's program operates independently regarding account policies even though they cooperate for bookings.
Understanding these distinctions prevents mistaken assumptions. Just because your loved one could use United miles to book Lufthansa flights doesn't mean Lufthansa's death transfer policies apply to United miles. You must work with the specific airline program where miles are held, regardless of which alliance airlines they partner with.
Hotel Loyalty Programs
Major Hotel Chains' Policies
Hotel loyalty programs tend to be more generous than airlines about allowing point transfers after death. Major chains like Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, IHG Rewards, and Hyatt have various policies but many allow transfers to surviving spouses or family members, sometimes for a fee.
Marriott Bonvoy, for instance, has allowed points to be transferred to beneficiaries, though policies have varied over time. Hilton Honors has a formal process for transferring points to surviving family members. IHG Rewards has been known to accommodate death transfers when proper documentation is provided. Hyatt has handled transfers on a case-by-case basis with generally positive outcomes for families.
As with airlines, hotel program policies may not be prominently published, requiring you to contact customer service directly to learn about options. Many hotel programs are more flexible than their written policies suggest, especially when large point balances are involved and families approach them respectfully with proper documentation.
Boutique and Smaller Chains
Smaller hotel chains and boutique hotel programs may have less formal policies about death transfers simply because they encounter these situations less frequently. This can work either in your favor, if they're willing to be flexible and accommodating, or against you, if they have no process in place and default to denying transfers.
When dealing with smaller programs, clearly explaining the situation and asking to speak with supervisors or corporate offices can help. These companies may be more willing to make exceptions than large corporate programs with strict policies and procedures. Personal appeals that emphasize your loved one's loyalty to their brand sometimes resonate with smaller operations.
How to Claim or Transfer Points After Death
Gather Necessary Documentation
Before contacting loyalty programs, assemble all documentation you'll need. This typically includes a certified death certificate with raised seal, letters testamentary or letters of administration proving you're the executor, proof of your relationship to the deceased if claiming as a spouse or family member, and the deceased's account numbers and membership information for each program.
Having complete documentation upfront speeds the process and prevents delays from back-and-forth document requests. Make multiple copies of the death certificate since you'll need to provide it to each program separately. Some programs require original certified copies rather than photocopies, so order enough certified copies when you first obtain the death certificate.
Also gather login information if available. While programs won't simply give you online access to accounts, having usernames and account numbers helps you navigate automated phone systems and verify account ownership when speaking with representatives.
Contact Programs Directly
Call each loyalty program's customer service and specifically ask to speak with someone who handles deceased account holder situations. Front-line customer service representatives may not know policies or processes for death transfers, so requesting a supervisor or the estate/bereavement department saves time and frustration.
Clearly explain that you're calling about a deceased account holder and immediately ask about their policies and procedures for transferring or redeeming points. Take detailed notes including the representative's name, date and time of call, and exactly what they tell you about options and requirements. This documentation protects you if you later receive different information or if processing doesn't proceed as promised.
Be prepared for inconsistent information. You might receive different answers from different representatives at the same company. If you're told something that contradicts written policies or seems unreasonable, politely ask to speak with a supervisor or call back to get a second opinion. Persistence and professional communication often eventually lead to resolution.
Follow Specific Program Procedures
Each program will have its own procedure for processing death-related transfers or redemptions. Follow these procedures exactly, even if they seem bureaucratic or unnecessarily complicated. Failing to submit the right forms or missing documentation requirements gives programs reasons to deny your claim.
Many programs require you to complete specific forms that they'll email or mail to you. Fill these out completely and accurately. Some require notarization of certain documents or signatures. Others have specific mailing addresses for estate-related claims that differ from their general correspondence addresses. Pay attention to these details.
Allow time for processing. Death transfers aren't everyday transactions for most programs, so they may take weeks or months to complete. Follow up if you haven't heard back within the timeframe you were told to expect. Keep copies of everything you submit in case documents are lost and need to be resubmitted.
Consider Timing Strategically
When you notify programs about a death matters. Once programs are officially informed, they may freeze accounts or begin processes that make point redemption impossible. In some cases, if authorized users exist on accounts or if you have legitimate access, making final redemptions before formally notifying programs about the death might be possible.
However, be cautious about legal and ethical implications. If you're the executor, you have fiduciary duties to handle estate assets properly. Using accounts after death without proper authority could constitute fraud. The ethical choice is being transparent with programs while advocating firmly for fair treatment of the points.
That said, if a program's policy is to forfeit points immediately upon notification of death, and you know this in advance, there's nothing wrong with using points for legitimate purposes before reporting the death, as long as you're an authorized user or otherwise have legal access to the account. Planning ahead and understanding policies helps you make informed decisions about timing.
Planning Ahead to Preserve Points Value
Add Authorized Users
One of the simplest ways to help preserve credit card points for your family is adding trusted family members as authorized users on your accounts. Authorized users can often continue accessing accounts and redeeming points even after the primary cardholder's death, at least until the account is formally closed.
Choose authorized users carefully. They should be people you trust completely since they'll have access to your credit line. Spouses are the most common choice, but adult children or other responsible family members can also be added. Make sure authorized users understand your wishes for how points should be used if something happens to you.
Adding authorized users won't help with airline miles or hotel points since those programs don't have authorized users in the same way credit cards do. For loyalty programs, different strategies are needed to preserve value for your family.
Transfer Points Before Death If Possible
If you know death is approaching, whether from terminal illness or advanced age, consider transferring points to family members while you're still alive. Many programs allow inter-account transfers for a fee. While paying transfer fees isn't ideal, it's better than losing all points entirely.
Credit card programs with transferable points can move points to airline and hotel partners, where they might then be transferable to family members' accounts. Airline programs sometimes allow mile sharing or pooling with family members. Hotel programs may offer discounted or free point transfers to spouses or allow booking rooms for others using your points.
These strategies require advance planning and understanding of each program's specific transfer rules. If you're dealing with a terminal diagnosis or advanced age, having these conversations and taking these actions, while difficult, protects the value you've accumulated for your family's benefit.
Document Account Information
Keep detailed records of all your loyalty program accounts, including program names and account numbers, login credentials stored securely, approximate point balances, and any special notes about how you want points used. This documentation helps your executor or family members know what accounts exist and access them efficiently.
Store this information securely but make sure someone you trust knows where to find it. A password manager that a trusted family member can access after your death, a document in a safe deposit box, or information kept with your will all work. The key is balancing security during your life with accessibility after your death.
Update this information periodically as you open new accounts, close old ones, or accumulate significant point balances. An out-of-date list is better than nothing, but keeping it current makes the process smoother for whoever handles your affairs.
Consider Using Points Rather Than Hoarding
While many people enjoy accumulating points and watching balances grow, using points for travel and experiences provides a certain value while you're alive to enjoy it. Points that sit unused risk being forfeited if you die unexpectedly, devalued if programs change redemption rates, or lost if programs go bankrupt or get acquired.
This doesn't mean you should never save points for future goals. But it does suggest that once you've accumulated substantial balances, using them rather than continuing to hoard indefinitely makes sense. Take the trip you've been planning, book the luxury hotel you've always wanted to experience, or redeem points for gift cards or other rewards that provide tangible value.
The memories and experiences you create using points have value that can't be taken away, while points sitting in accounts are always subject to program policy changes or loss after death. Finding balance between saving for goals and using rewards for experiences protects the value you've earned.
Special Situations and Considerations
Joint Accounts and Authorized Users
True joint accounts on credit cards are relatively rare, but when they exist, both account holders typically have equal rights to rewards. If the surviving account holder was a joint account holder rather than just an authorized user, they may be able to continue the account and retain access to points after the co-holder's death.
The distinction between authorized users and joint account holders matters legally. Joint account holders share responsibility for debt and have ownership rights to the account. Authorized users can use the account but aren't legally responsible for it and don't have the same ownership rights. Know which category applies to your situation as it affects what happens to points.
Some programs have specific provisions for surviving joint account holders that are more generous than policies for authorized users. Ask explicitly about this distinction when contacting programs about death transfers.
Business Accounts and Employee Cards
Credit cards and loyalty accounts used primarily for business create additional complexity when the account holder dies. If accounts were in the business name with the deceased as an authorized user or account manager, the business may retain the accounts and points. If accounts were personal but used for business purposes, standard death transfer policies apply.
Employee cards issued through corporate programs typically don't transfer to employees' families when employees die. These points belong to the company, and employees generally can't use them for personal purposes even during life. Don't expect to claim or transfer points from corporate accounts unless you're handling the business owner's estate and the accounts were business assets.
Points Acquired Through Questionable Means
If the deceased acquired points through methods that violated program terms, such as buying miles from unauthorized sellers, using stolen credit cards, or gaming the system in ways programs prohibit, these points might be clawed back when the program reviews the account after death. This rarely affects typical users but can impact people who aggressively manufacture points through gray-market activities.
If you discover the deceased engaged in activities that clearly violated terms of service, trying to claim those points could expose the estate to liability if programs pursue recovery of improper benefits. Consulting with an attorney about potential risks before claiming questionable point balances might be wise.
When Points Are Lost Despite Your Efforts
Accepting Program Decisions
Sometimes, despite your best efforts and providing all required documentation, loyalty programs will simply refuse to transfer or allow redemption of points. If programs are within their legal rights according to their terms and conditions, you may have limited recourse beyond appealing to corporate offices or posting about your experience publicly in hopes of policy exceptions.
Know when to accept losses and move on. Fighting with programs over relatively small point balances may not be worth your time and energy while you're dealing with grief and estate settlement. For larger balances, escalating complaints might be worthwhile, but for smaller amounts, sometimes accepting the loss is the healthiest choice.
This reality is why using points during life rather than accumulating indefinitely makes sense. Points you use create memories and value that can't be taken away. Points sitting in accounts are always at risk of being lost through policy changes, program bankruptcies, or death.
Learning for Your Own Planning
If you've experienced frustration trying to claim a deceased loved one's points, use that experience to inform your own estate planning. Take steps like adding authorized users, documenting accounts thoroughly, using points rather than hoarding them, and researching programs' death transfer policies before accumulating large balances in programs with unfavorable policies.
Share your experience with others so they can plan accordingly. Many people have no idea that loyalty points can be lost at death, and your story might help friends and family avoid similar losses. This positive outcome from a frustrating situation honors your loved one's memory by helping others protect their families.
Conclusion
Credit card points, airline miles, and hotel loyalty points represent real value that shouldn't be overlooked during estate settlement, yet they're governed by program-specific policies that vary dramatically from one company to another. Some programs allow generous transfers to surviving family members while others forfeit all points immediately upon learning of the account holder's death, making it crucial to understand specific policies and act quickly with proper documentation when trying to preserve rewards value.
The best approach combines researching individual program policies, gathering required documentation like death certificates and letters of authority, contacting programs directly to learn about options, and following their specific procedures exactly as required. Looking ahead, you can protect your own loyalty points by adding authorized users to credit card accounts, transferring points while you're alive if death is approaching, documenting all accounts for your executor, and using points for meaningful experiences rather than hoarding them indefinitely.
While losing accumulated points after death is frustrating, understanding the rules, planning ahead, and acting strategically helps preserve as much value as possible for your family or ensures your own rewards eventually benefit the people you love rather than simply disappearing when you die.
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FAQs
Q: Are credit card points and airline miles considered part of the estate legally?
Most loyalty programs' terms and conditions state that points have no cash value and aren't property, meaning they don't automatically become estate assets, but this is a gray area and depends on specific program policies and state laws.
Q: How quickly do I need to act to claim a deceased person's loyalty points?
Act as quickly as possible since some programs require notification within specific timeframes, and delays can complicate claims, but also take time to research policies and gather proper documentation before contacting programs.
Q: Can I just use the deceased person's credit card to redeem points before reporting the death?
This exists in a legal gray area and could be considered fraud if you're not an authorized user, so the safer approach is contacting the card issuer honestly about the death and asking about redemption options, though authorized users may have more latitude.
Q: What happens to points if I never notify the program about the death?
Accounts will eventually be flagged through credit bureau reports or inactivity, but timing varies, meaning points might sit untouched for months or years before being eventually forfeited when the program discovers the death through other channels.
Q: Do I need a lawyer to claim loyalty points for a deceased family member?
Most situations don't require a lawyer since you can contact programs directly with proper documentation, but if programs refuse legitimate claims or if substantial value is at stake, consulting an attorney about options might be worthwhile.
Q: Can I add beneficiaries to airline or hotel loyalty accounts like I can for bank accounts?
Most loyalty programs don't offer formal beneficiary designations like financial accounts do, which is why planning ahead through authorized users, transfers, or documentation becomes important for credit cards while airline and hotel programs require different strategies.
Q: If the deceased had elite status with airlines or hotels, does that transfer too?
Elite status typically cannot be transferred and expires with the account holder's death since it's earned through personal activity and travel, though some programs have made exceptions for surviving spouses who also have accounts with the same program.
**Disclaimer: This article provides general information about loyalty program policies and estate matters and should not be considered legal or financial advice. For guidance specific to your circumstances, please consult with a qualified estate attorney.
