AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.
Certain people have a lot of miles and points, but how do you access them if that person dies? Many airlines and hotels have different policies about what to do when this happens. In a past article, we recently documented the expiration and transfer policies of major frequent flyer programs, listing the rules for deceased estates and any possible workarounds. But in this article, we’ll discuss what happens to your hotel points and credit card rewards when you or a loved one dies.
Page Contents
Hotel Rewards Programs
Transfer rules for hotel points in deceased estates are not as strict as what you'll find with several frequent flyer programs. Still, they’re often still subject to discretionary policies putting members at the mercy of the loyalty program. Another reason to ensure your account is kept in good standing at all times, or it could spell the end to a valuable asset in the event of a member’s untimely death.
Here's a breakdown of the policies of various programs dictating what happens to your hotel points after you die:
Hilton Honors
You can transfer your Hilton points to any program member, provided you have the right documents.
“Points in the deceased Member's account may be transferred to another Member upon Hilton's receipt and approval of requested documentation and information. Transfer request and required documents must be provided within 1 year from the date of the Member's death. Elite status can't be transferred, and Points received by a Member through a transfer won't count toward Elite status.”
World of Hyatt
World of Hyatt permits point transfers from the deceased estate to a person sharing the same residential address.
“In the case of documented death of a Member, points (but not elite status or awards) are transferable on a one-time basis to one (1) person sharing the same residential mailing address as the deceased Member. Receipt of points in such a transfer requires the recipient to be a Member.”
IHG One Rewards
IHG offers fee-free transfers upon death to an IHG One Rewards member’s beneficiaries.
“When an IHG One Rewards Member passes away, the Member's Points may be transferred to the IHG One Rewards account(s) of the Member's beneficiary(ies). The request for transfer should be sent to IHG Customer Care by the executor or administrator of the decedent’s estate, along with court documents showing authority, or by a sole beneficiary, along with copies of the decedent’s will and death certificate.”
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy has a simple policy allowing for points to be transferred to a partner and active program member.
“In the event of a Member’s death, the Company may, in its sole discretion, allow unredeemed Points from the deceased Member’s Account to be transferred to a family member or a friend who is an active Member upon the Company’s receipt and review of all requested documentation and communications. Awards, hotel stays, Elite Membership Status, Lifetime Membership Status, and the related benefits, including, without limitation, Elite Night Credit, will not transfer to the recipient of the Points.”
Accor Live Limitless
Accor's policy isn't so generous. After death, Accor will close your account and cancel your points entirely.
“In the event of a Member's death, ACCOR will close the Member's account on receipt of the death supporting document requested by the customer care team and will cancel all the Status and Reward Points as well as all the Status Nights earned by the Member.”
Radisson Rewards
Radisson Rewards will transfer your points to a beneficiary provided the transfer request includes the correct documentation.
“Upon Death Points belonging to a Radisson Rewards or Radisson Rewards for Bookers and Planners member who is deceased may be transferred to the account of the deceased member’s beneficiary(ies) in our sole discretion. The deceased member’s membership in Radisson Rewards or Radisson Rewards for Bookers and Planners must have been in good standing at the time of death.”
Wyndham Rewards
Wyndham Rewards won't allow point transfers during or after the member's life.
“Wyndham Rewards points in a Member's account do not constitute property of the Member, have no cash value, and cannot, except as otherwise explicitly authorized in these Terms and Conditions, be sold, bartered or transferred by Member or any other party (other than Sponsor or its authorized agents) during or after the Member's life, by operation of law or otherwise.”
Credit Card Rewards Programs
Bank rewards, on the other hand, are a bit of a mixed bag. Some policies are clear and spelled out to the letter while others are convoluted — or not even public information.
American Express Membership Rewards
If Amex cancels your account for a reason such as death, Membership Rewards points are forfeit immediately upon account closure. However, the Membership Rewards terms also state the following:
“If you die, the executor of your estate or personal representative may be able to make a one-time points redemption, depending on your Product, by calling 1-800-AXP-EARN (297-3276).”
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase has a very clear policy regarding what happens to your rewards points after death that you'll find in your rewards program agreement:
“If we're notified of your death, your points will be automatically redeemed for cash in the form of an account statement credit. Unless required by law, points aren't your property. Points have no value until redeemed. You can't transfer or move points unless expressly provided for in this agreement.”
Citi ThankYou® Rewards
You'll lose your Citi ThankYou Rewards unless your estate provides Citi with a written request, which Citi will then take steps to apply your points to your account as cash rewards. From the terms:
“You will lose your Points upon your death, and your estate, successors and assigns have no property rights or other legal interests in such Points, except under this circumstances: Cash Rewards Option. If we receive a written request within one (1) year of your death from the executor or administrator of your estate, along with evidence satisfactory to us of your death and the identity and appointment of the executor or administrator, we can allow Points remaining in your ThankYou account to be redeemed for Cash Rewards.”
Capital One Venture Miles
Capital One's policies on what happens to your rewards after you die has been removed from its website. However, in the past, Capital One would apply the remaining rewards balance to your account provided it was in good standing. It's unclear if the policy has officially changed.
Final Thoughts
The best policy we can recommend relating to rewards points for a deceased estate is planning for it while the account holder is still alive. For anyone actively collecting points and miles, legacy planning will have a huge impact if there is any chance of a substantial balance being left in a rewards account.
While account holders don’t technically own the balance in their accounts, a clearly labeled instruction for specific accounts in your rewards portfolio, that can be shown to program representatives, will go a long way towards ensuring balances end up in the right place.
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
