I thought it might be advantageous to have a thread that consolidates what happens to our carefully acquired mile and point assets when we die.
I will start with the programs where I have the most miles and points.
Alaska Mileage Plan: This is the plan where I actually have the most miles, but their office is closed until Monday. My understanding is that miles can bequeathed to beneficiaries.
American Advantage: Miles can be bequeathed to your beneficiaries. A $50 transfer fee applies.
Delta Sky Miles: Miles can be bequeathed to your beneficiaries.
Hilton Honors: Points can be used by beneficiaries who have access to your login information. They will expire, however, after 12 months, so if you anticipate that the end is near, you might put your beloved/s on your Hilton Amex.
Hyatt Goldpass: Points can be transferred to surviving spouse or domestic partner (with proof of a legal mariage, whatever that means these days) upon proof of death. The cannot go to anyone else.
Starwood Preferred Guest: Points can be bequeathed to your beneficiaries.
United Mileage Plus: Miles can be bequeathed to your beneficiaries. A $75 transfer fee will apply.
The following information has been added by the courtesy of other members. I will make every effort to keep it updated and alphabetized for easy reference.
Aeroplan: (Courtesy of Exit Row) Reflecting its desire to express compassion, Aeroplan's practice is to allow the transfer of miles. If there is a surviving spouse, they may request the transfer of the miles from the deceased member’s account at a cost of $0.01/mile plus a $30 administration fee (plus taxes).
Air New Zealand Airpoints: (Courtesy of Kiwi)
8.8.2 Your Membership will terminate on your death. Airpoints Dollars, Status Points and any other benefits earned but not redeemed at the time of your death will be cancelled for no consideration, unless a transfer is permitted in accordance with clause 8.5. We'll terminate your Membership and close your Account when we receive notification of your death. We will not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever suffered by any person as a result of such termination.
8.8.3 If anyone claims accruals or credits from a deceased Member's Account, they may be subject to appropriate administrative and/or legal action by us including, but not limited to, Membership cancellation (if applicable) and the loss of all accumulated Airpoints Dollars and unused Rewards. We may also take action to recover the monetary value of the Airpoints Dollars and benefits concerned.
Airmiles: (Courtesy of taiwaned) Points are transferable to a legal spouse or domestic partner in the case of documented death of the Member. FAX a copy of death certificate. Name the beneficiary and their Air Miles number. No fee is charged.
British Airways Executive Club: (Courtesy of Primula and kiwi)
3.12. Membership will terminate automatically:
3.12.1. in the event of the expiry of all Mileage in accordance with Clause 12.3 when a Member has not earned or redeemed Mileage or purchased or transferred Mileage in accordance with the appropriate Conditions of Use for 36 consecutive months; and
3.12.2. upon the death of a Member, Mileage and Tier Points accumulated but unused at the time of death shall be cancelled.
Emirates Skywards: (Courtesy of kiwi)
2.6 Membership is automatically terminated on the death or bankruptcy of a Member. Miles accumulated prior to termination in these circumstances will be immediately cancelled. However, Skywards may, at its sole discretion, reinstate Miles in favour of the heirs of the deceased Member upon the application of his or her personal representative, provided that the deceased Member's account holds a minimum balance of 20,000 Miles at the time of the Member's death.
Marriott Rewards: (Courtesy of travelingmore) Points are transferable to a legal spouse or domestic partner in the case of documented death of the Member.
Qantas: (Courtesy of tuapekastar) Membership will terminate automatically on the death of a Member. Points earned but not yet redeemed or transferred prior to the death of the Member will be cancelled. Qantas will close the Member's account on notification of the Member's death. Qantas will not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever suffered by any person as a result of such cancellation.
Singapore Airlines Kris Flyer: (Courtesy of kiwi) 15. Membership will end automatically upon the death of the member. Miles earned but not redeemed at the time of death, as well as benefits and privileges, will be automatically cancelled.
Please add the policies for your programs.
P.S. Emphasis added where deemed important or just amusing.
