Managing Accounts4 min read

Closing Loyalty, Rewards, and Airline Miles Accounts

Airline miles, hotel points, and store rewards may have real value — and some programs allow transfer to family members. Here's how to handle them.

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Most people don't think of frequent flyer miles or hotel points as estate assets — but they can represent real monetary value. Depending on the program, a deceased person's loyalty and rewards accounts may be transferable to a beneficiary, may be claimable by the estate, or may be forfeited at death. Here's what you need to know for each major type of program.

Are Loyalty Points Actually Worth Claiming?

Before investing time in claiming these accounts, consider the value. Common benchmarks:

  • Airline miles: roughly 1–1.5 cents per mile for domestic economy redemptions
  • Hotel points: varies widely — roughly 0.5–1 cent per point for most programs
  • Credit card rewards points (Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, etc.): 1–2 cents per point

If someone had 100,000 airline miles, that's potentially worth $1,000–$1,500. Worth a few phone calls. If they had 2,000 points, it may not be worth the effort — especially since many programs won't transfer to heirs at all.

Airline Miles

American Airlines (AAdvantage)

American Airlines does not automatically transfer miles to heirs, but it allows surviving immediate family members (or the estate executor) to request a transfer to a family member's account. Contact AAdvantage customer service and provide the death certificate. There may be a small transfer fee.

Delta (SkyMiles)

Delta's terms state that miles are not transferable upon death — they are forfeited. However, Delta has been known to exercise discretion for large balances. It is worth calling to ask, particularly if the balance is significant.

United (MileagePlus)

United MileagePlus allows miles to be transferred to a spouse or domestic partner, or to an immediate family member, upon death. Contact MileagePlus customer service with the death certificate and a request to transfer the miles. There is typically a transfer fee.

Southwest (Rapid Rewards)

Southwest's Rapid Rewards points are not transferable at death per their terms of service. Points are forfeited. However, Southwest does allow unused travel credits to transfer — contact Southwest to inquire if there are unused credits.

Hotel Points

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to a family member upon the account holder's death. Contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service with the death certificate. There is a transfer fee per point.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors points can be transferred to family members. Contact Hilton Honors customer service. A death certificate is required.

World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt points may be transferred upon death. Contact their customer service team.

IHG One Rewards

IHG's terms generally state that points are non-transferable, but they may exercise discretion. Contact their customer service.

Credit Card Rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards

When a Chase credit card account is closed due to death, the associated Ultimate Rewards points typically expire. However, if the deceased was in a household with another member who has a Chase rewards card, points can be transferred to that household member's account before the deceased's card is closed. Act quickly — points are lost when the account closes.

American Express Membership Rewards

Amex Membership Rewards points are generally forfeited at account closure. However, if there is a co-account holder or if the estate can establish a claim, Amex may allow redemption before closure. Contact Amex customer service and ask specifically about their bereavement process.

Capital One Miles / Venture Rewards

Capital One may allow points to be redeemed or transferred to a surviving joint cardholder. Contact their bereavement team.

Cashback Rewards

Cashback rewards (Discover Cashback, Bank of America Cash Rewards, etc.) are generally treated as estate assets because they represent actual money owed to the account holder. Ask the bank to apply any cashback balance to the account, reducing the balance owed, or to transfer it to the estate when the account is closed.

Retail and Store Points

  • Amazon Prime membership: Not transferable; cancel the membership and the estate is entitled to a refund for the unused portion
  • Grocery loyalty points: Generally low value; lower priority
  • Target Circle, Walmart+ etc.: Contact each retailer; policies vary

General Tips

  • Act quickly — policies change, and estate claims that arrive months after death are less likely to be honored
  • Have the death certificate ready for every call
  • Get the program member number from the deceased's email or wallet card before calling
  • If a program won't transfer points, ask if they can be redeemed for a specific benefit that the estate or heirs could use (a flight, hotel stay, or gift card)

For the complete accounts management overview, see our managing accounts guide.

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