Phê Vé
April 12, 2026 • 5 min read
Losing a loved one is heartbreaking, and managing their reward points can be complex. Let's explore how to protect and transfer these points and miles after they are gone.
What You Need to Know About Points and Miles After a Loved One Passes
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy. Making decisions regarding their reward points and miles can become complicated, especially when you are managing many tasks in the aftermath. Fortunately, many programs have flexible policies that allow you to transfer points and miles after a member has passed away.
If you're unsure about what to do with the rewards of someone who has passed, here’s a basic overview of what can happen to their points after their death. Let’s take a look at the policies of airlines, credit cards, and hotel rewards programs.
Steps to Take with Reward Points When the Account Holder Passes Away
If you are preparing to manage your points and miles before passing, consider adding your loyalty accounts to your will. This ensures that your loved ones can access them by sharing your login information.
Most reward programs allow you to book tickets for others using your points and miles, so your family members can plan a trip using your rewards as long as they can log into your account. The most crucial aspect to remember is to pay attention to the expiration dates of the reward points.
Keeping Points or Miles from Expiring
Your loved ones have worked hard to earn their points and miles, so make sure they can use them after you're gone. This is why it’s essential to understand the policies of each program concerning the death of a member. In addition to keeping your login details (including answers to security questions and email login for two-factor authentication), you will also need an electronic copy of their death certificate.
Transferring Points or Miles
When reviewing the terms of each program regarding the transfer of rewards after a member passes away, you will find a few options available. Here’s a ranking from best to least favorable:
- Transfer points or miles to someone else.
- Redeem points or miles for someone else's trip.
- Convert points or miles into a fixed redemption form.
The ideal scenario is to transfer points or miles to another person's account. However, if this isn’t possible, try to keep their account open to book a trip for someone else (be mindful of expiration policies). Ultimately, some programs require you to convert rewards into a fixed redemption form, though this is often the least valuable option.
Airline Policies on Miles After a Member Passes
Many airlines have straightforward procedures for booking reward flights for others using points and miles. Let’s briefly review some popular programs.
American Airlines AAdvantage
According to AAdvantage terms, miles cannot be transferred when a member passes away, and the member's account will be closed. However, if a family member provides relevant documentation, credits for unused miles from a deceased member may be transferred to another account.
Atmos Rewards
The Atmos Rewards website does not provide specific information about transferring or redeeming points after a member's death. However, if there is a family member with an Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® card, you can create a free point-sharing network with up to ten other members.
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Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
Delta SkyMiles has a strict policy. According to SkyMiles terms, Delta will close the account if a member passes away, and the miles will be lost as soon as the account is closed.
JetBlue TrueBlue
JetBlue does not allow transfers after a member passes. However, JetBlue offers a family pooling feature that can be utilized if something happens.
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
Southwest’s policy states that points cannot be transferred to the estate of the member as part of the inheritance, and points will be lost in the event of a member's death.
United Airlines MileagePlus
United Airlines has a more flexible policy compared to some other airlines. MileagePlus allows for the crediting of all or part of the deceased member's miles to “authorized individuals” with appropriate documentation and fees.
Credit Card Issuer Policies When a Member Passes Away
This is one of the most critical areas to analyze. With credit card accounts, unused points on a closed account can be lost. Therefore, make sure you understand these policies before closing an account — as it may lead to losing valuable rewards.
American Express Membership Rewards
American Express provides ample information for family members to consider in the event that the cardholder passes. Although the website does not specify what happens to Membership Rewards points after a loved one dies, it suggests that the estate manager can contact Amex for assistance.
Capital One Miles
According to Capital One’s guidelines, a family member cannot take over the account of a deceased member. Once Capital One is notified of the cardholder's death, the account will be closed, and the miles in the account will be converted to cash redemption.
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards policies are similar to those of Capital One; if they are informed of the death, the points will automatically be converted to cash.
Citi ThankYou Rewards
It appears that a representative of the estate can redeem the deceased member's ThankYou points, but this must be done within one year of the member's passing.
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