How to transfer frequent fly miles after you die
Even after you die, your frequent fly miles and points may live on for your friends or family, depending on the airline.
Some have official methods of passing your points on to a relative in the event of death, while others have stricter guidelines that do not allow transfers whatsoever. A few companies also have collections programs where you and your friends can automatically share points, so even if you die, your points and miles won't go to waste.
The easiest thing you can do, but to give someone your points and miles after death is to make sure they have access to your username and password, according to the Travel Guides website The Points Guy.
MORE FROM FOXBUSINESS.COM …
That way, your friend or relative can use your miles without formally notifying the airline, which often requires documentation and fees.
To see what some of the official guidelines are, there are seven major US airlines to say about the transfer of miles and points after someone dies.
| Ticker [1[ads1]9659008] Security | Latest | Change | % Chg | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAL | AMERICAN AIRLINES GROUP INC. | 27.99 | -0.31 | -1.10% | ||||
| DAL | DELTA AIR LINES INC. | 58.63 | -0.06 | -0.10% [19659017] JBLU | JETBLUE AIRWAYS | 16.92 | -0.19 | -1.11% |
| LUV | SOUTHWEST AIRL. | 54.49 | -0.59 | 19659017] SAVE | SPIRIT AIRLINES INC. | 38.03 | +0.11 | + 0.29% |
| UAL | UNITED AIRLINES HLDG. | 89.09 | -0.33 | -% |
American Airlines
Although American Airlines says members usually cannot transfer points or miles after they die, the company allows some exceptions "upon receipt of documentation which is satisfactory to American Airlines. " (AP Photo / Alan Diaz)
According to American Airlines' terms and conditions of the AAdvantage program, miles and credits do not constitute the member's property. "
" Neither the mileage accrued, nor the granting of tickets nor the status, nor the upgrades can be transmitted by the member (i) upon death, (ii) as part of a genealogy relationship, or (iii) by any other means the law, "the website states.
The Website explains there are some exceptions, and states:" However, American Airlines may, in its sole discretion, credit accrued mileage to persons specifically identified in court approved divorce cases and wills upon receipt of documentation that is satisfactory for American Airlines and upon payment of any applicable fees. "19659047] Delta Air Lines
Delta will not allow members to transfer their miles after death at all, in accordance with SkyMiles membership rules. (IStock)
Delta Air Lines & # 39; SkyMiles membership has strict miles or points transfer rules, according to program rules.
"Miles is not a member of the property," Delta says to the site's rules. "Except as specifically authorized in the Members Manual and Program Rules or otherwise in writing by a Delta officer, miles may not be sold, attached, seized, charged, pledged or transferred under any circumstances, including without limitation, by operation of law, at death , or in connection with any dispute between domestic matters and / or legal proceedings. "
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines allows members to transfer their miles to their heirs after death as long as their relatives can obtain a death certificate or letter from the executioner. (iStock)
Frontier Airlines has several ways miles can be transferred in its Frontier Miles program, according to its terms and conditions.
Two or more members can link accounts and earn points through the company's Family Pooling program – so if your account is linked to someone else's account (it may be a friend or relative), they can access your miles after you die automatic.
If your account is not linked to anyone else's, your loved ones will need a death certificate or letter from the executioner.
“In the case of multiple executions or heirs for miles based on court documents, the miles are divided as directed by the court. In case an heir does not have a Frontier Miles account, they can sign up or submit written permission to waive their rights to their miles, and those miles will be shared between the remaining heirs, the website says.
JetBlue Airlines [19659058] The only way to earn a few miles and points with JetBlue after you die is if you were already connected to a friend or relative's account using the airline's Points Pooling program. Otherwise, JetBlue does not allow points to be transferred
JetBlue TruBlue membership also allows customers to earn points with other members using the Points Pooling program, which allows affiliated friends and family access to your miles after you die. [19659002] However, the company does not allow points to be transferred outside the pool program, in accordance with TrueBlue terms and conditions.
"Points accumulated and honors do not constitute property for a member and are not transferable (i) at death, (ii) as part of a family relationship, or (iii) in any other way," the website states.
Southwest Airlines
A Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards account will not be deactivated until 24 months after the member dies, according to the airline, however, the company does not allow members to transfer their points. (IStock)
According to Southwest Airlines & # 39; Rapid Rewards program programs, their points cannot be transferred to another account after a member dies, even if the account is not deactivated until 24 months after the person dies. [19659002] “Points cannot be transferred to a member's residence or as part of a settlement, inheritance or will. In the event of a member's death, his / her account will become inactive after 24 months from the last earnings date (unless the account is requested to be closed) and points will not be available. ge for use, says the Southwest website.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines does not allow members to transfer miles, but the airline does not state whether there are exceptions in the event of death. (Spirit Airlines)
Spirit Airlines & # 39; Free Spirit program does not allow members to transfer their miles, according to the program's FAQ page.
The airline did not specify any potential exceptions for the death of a member. Also, Spirit Airlines did not immediately respond to FOX Business & # 39; s request for comment.
United Airlines
United Airlines allows members to transfer their points after they are dead, as long as their loved ones pay certain fees and provide "documentation that is satisfactory for United," the website states. (AP Photo / Mel Evans, File)
Members of United Airlines & # 39; MileagePlus program can actually transfer their points and miles after they are dead, as long as their loved ones can provide the fees and documentation required by the airline, the program's rules say.
"In the event of a member's death or divorce, United may, in its sole discretion, credit all or part of that member's accrued mileage to authorized persons upon receipt of documentation satisfactory to United and payment of applicable fees," the website states .
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS
