What Happens to Airline Points & Miles After You Die?

What Happens to Airline Points & Miles After You Die? If you’ve begun the important task of preparing your Estate Plan, you may want to consider what to do with any of your unused airline points or miles.

Are you a frequent flyer who loves to travel? Have you ever wondered what would happen to all your rewards points and frequent flyer miles after you die? If you’ve begun the important task of preparing your Estate Plan, you may want to consider what to do with any of your unused points.Most commercial airlines offer their passengers a frequent-flyer loyalty program which is designed to entice airline travelers to enroll and accumulate frequent-flyer points which they can then redeem for travel perks and discounts.Your rewards can add up quickly, especially if you have accumulated hundreds of thousands of points. Unfortunately, many of the biggest airlines have policies clearly stating that frequent flyer miles are not transferable upon death. Other airlines include vague statements and wording about the use of “sole discretion” as it pertains to decisions regarding the transference of accrued mileage credit to beneficiaries.

Looking into Airline’s Policies

It is a wise idea to review your loyalty program’s terms and conditions prior to drafting your Will. But do keep in mind that terms and conditions can change at any time making it easier, or more difficult, for your beneficiaries to redeem your reward points after your passing. For that reason, you may want to go ahead and list in your Estate Plan, a beneficiary for your accumulated flyer rewards and points. At the appropriate time, it is recommended that your beneficiary contact your frequent flyer service department and personally speak to a representative – which may, in turn, elicit a better response.

Below, is a list of several airlines and website links to their frequent-flyer terms and conditions pages for your convenience.

The Importance of an Estate Plan

Thinking ahead and having a plan in place for your airline points and miles – and for the entirety of your Estate, is always a good idea. Not only does estate planning provide you with the peace of mind that comes from knowing your affairs are in order, but it is also that final act of kindness you can bestow on your loved ones.

Read more related articles at:

When Do Airline Miles Expire?

Also, read one of our previous Blogs at:

Will Your Estate Plan Be Followed?

Why Estate Planning Is Crucial When Reaching End Of Life

Click here to check out our On Demand Video about Estate Planning.

Click here for a short informative video from our own Attorney Bill O’Leary.

Estate Planning Estate Planning Attorney frequent flyer miles specific bequests