Can I Include My Airline Miles and Credit Card Points in My Will?
By Madelynn Carpenter | Summer Intern
With airline rewards programs and credit card points becoming more common (and valuable), you may ask yourself: what happens to my points and miles after I pass on? Can I give them to my loved ones? Well, the answer depends on which company you have your rewards through. We’ve broken down a list of a few of the major airlines and credit card companies so you can see which companies allow for transfers.
Airline Miles
American Airlines
American Airlines allows for transfers by will. According to the AAdvantage Terms and Conditions, if you leave points to a loved one, they will need to contact AAdvantage and send them a death certificate and an affidavit that includes certain information such as your American Airlines account number and their account information.
Delta
Sorry, Delta flyers! Under the SkyMile Program Rules, no transfers are allowed unless there's a court order (which is expensive and time consuming), even in the case of death or attempted transfer by will. Any accumulated points are deactivated upon a Delta Member’s death.
Frontier Airlines
Good news, Frontier fans! Frontier allows for miles to be transferred in a few different ways. Their Family Pooling Program lets groups of people redeem miles together and transfer miles to surviving members of the group in case of death. Additionally, according to Frontier's Terms and Conditions, miles can also be transferred to beneficiaries who provide a death certificate or a letter from the executor of your estate.
Southwest Airlines
Heads up, Southwest flyers –Southwest points can only be transferred or donated before a Member’s death. They cannot be transferred to your estate or as part of a settlement, inheritance, or will. Also, according to the Rapid Rewards Rules, Southwest deactivates points upon a Member’s death, but provides a 24-month window before this deactivation. If your trusted loved one has your account information, then this is helpful for them to use the points though your account, if you didn’t donate or transfer them previously.
United Airlines
United Airlines generally allows for transfers after a United MileagePlus Member passes on. But according to the MileagePlus Rules, a fee must be paid and certain documents need to be sent to United (like a death certificate or a will) to effectuate the transfer.
Credit Card Points
American Express
American Express' terms state that once you pass on, the executor of your estate or personal representative may be able to make a one-time points redemption, depending on which card you have, by calling 1-800-AXP-EARN (297-3276).
Capital One
Your loved one can send Capital One a death certificate to confirm your passing, and if there is no secondary account holder, it will issue a statement credit for the rewards. If your rewards exceed your statement balance, Capital One issues a credit balance refund in the form of a check!
Citi
Citi ThankYou points are generally forfeited after the death of a Member. However, they can be turned into cash rewards if the executor or administrator of your estate follows specific steps including submitting a written request within one year of your death, along with evidence of your death (like a death certificate), and evidence of their appointment as executor or administrator.
Chase
According to Chase's policy, if your loved one notifies them of your death, your points will be automatically redeemed for cash in the form of an account statement credit. But, if your loved one doesn’t notify Chase, your points will be permanently forfeited.
Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards
Sorry Wells Fargo users, your reward points will be forfeited upon your death and cannot be transferred or redeemed.
Overall, be sure to leave in your will who you want your rewards to go to and bring up what accounts you hold, so your loved ones know! At LP&P we realize every situation is unique. Whether you have questions about your current plan, want to make some changes, or need to get the process started, we can schedule a complimentary consultation to help put your mind at ease. Contact us with your questions or to start the process of leaving your legacy! Our team at LP&P is here to help you plan for tomorrow, today.
Here at Legacy Planning and Probate, we offer a complimentary consultation to understand your unique situation! Whether you have questions about your current plan, want to make some changes, or need to get the process started, we can help put your mind at ease. Contact us with your questions or start the process to leaving your legacy! Our team at LP&P is here to facilitate you planning for tomorrow, today.