MilesBuzz! - What happens to my miles if I die?

If anyone knows, is there some kind of law about this or does each airline have discretion when it comes to dictating how this is handled?

Do some airlines just take them back?

Or, is this something that needs to be included in one's will?

You can (and probably should) put them in your Will.

Lisa,

There are a couple of threads on this-- some good advice ---
You need to do two things.
1) Make sure there is a provision in your will how you want them given.
2) Contact the airline and find out the rules.

3) This option should take the worry away -- send them over to me http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif! At least you will know where they are.

Actually this is something with a little planning can work out fine.

------------------
TANSTAAFL - but if you work it right, FF miles comes pretty close.

This thread reminds me of a billboard that CO used to use, touting their never-exipring miles policy (back before it became a standard policy in the industry):

"You will expire before your miles do."

If you can trust your spouse, give him/her your UserID and password to access the FF accounts in case you can't. (This is meant to be a short-term suggestion until you get your will updated.)

If you have the most miles when you die

YOU WIN

...and be sure do die before your airline does.

How much is an Ansett Airlines mile worth?

My partner was the sole inheritor of family estate and AS happily deposited her father's miles into her account on proof of his death certificate and will.

Our wills and documents will state who the benefactor of our miles will be. Hopefully we'll use them before we expire. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

lala

use them for f seats to the great hereafter...... edit to add , we put a general statement in our wills which we hope covers all ff or similar programs, which could eventually go to the kids.

[This message has been edited by clacko (edited 12-18-2001).]

Lisa, what do you mean "if"? Do you know something that I don't?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Jailer:
Lisa, what do you mean "if"? Do you know something that I don't?</font>

What do you mean, "that I don't"?

Jailer, did a psychic tell you I would live a long, long life? So, what ripe old age will I live to be? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Well, Jailer, I have been promised that I will never die and I believe it. I don't believe, however, that I am going to need Frequent Flyer miles in phase 2. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Simple misunderstanding, Lisa, I took “if” to mean that you may have discovered the secret to immortality: the Huntington Beach Fountain of Youth. I just wanted in.

And, Punki, wouldn’t it blow a hole in accepted theology and be a hoot if in fact you do need frequent flyer miles to ascend to Nirvana?

I have created a table in MS-Word into which I have included all frequent flyer / frequent guest account details & totals for both my wife and myself. This document is added as an appendix to our Last Will & Testaments for distribution to our three daughters.

All airlines and most hotel chains have a proceedure for miles/points transfer to anyone named in a will. Unfortunately, the proceedures are not consistent. Some are fee based & some are free. Some require a death certificate and some require their own form. Some require a copy of the pertinent portion of the will and some only a written request depending on the number of points/miles.

I've contacted each of the airlines/hotels with which we have a miles/points account and have included the specific requirements into the MS-Word table. I supect this will save many dollars in legal fees by not having the family attorney sort it out.

Looks like with UA you lose 'em if you die:

"7. Accrued mileage and certificates do not constitute property of the member. Neither accrued mileage nor certificates are transferable (i) upon death, (ii) as part of a domestic relations matter, or (iii) otherwise by operation of law."

From:

http://www.ual.com/site/primary/0,10017,1155,00.html

So live! LIVE!!!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Jailer:
Simple misunderstanding, Lisa, I took “if” to mean that you may have discovered the secret to immortality: the Huntington Beach Fountain of Youth. I just wanted in.</font>

Bee Pollen and Dermaplast seems to work for me!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

I just spoke with someone at MileagePlus. She said
that within UA MP, automatic transfer can only be
done between spouses as long as the inheritor also
has MileagePlus account. Otherwise, you can
bequeath your unused miles by will.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by yummyham:
I just spoke with someone at MileagePlus. She said
that within UA MP, automatic transfer can only be done between spouses as long as the inheritor also has MileagePlus account. Otherwise, you can bequeath your unused miles by will.</font>

Way cool! Thanks, yummyham, for the follow-up. I didn't think to call UA, and the information is appreciated!

Will

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by yummyham:
I just spoke with someone at MileagePlus. She said
that within UA MP, automatic transfer can only be
done between spouses as long as the inheritor also
has MileagePlus account. Otherwise, you can
bequeath your unused miles by will.</font>
The last sentence seems in conflict with the written rules. Did the UA MP rep address the apparent conflict?

What are the written rules? I'm not sure I understand
the conflict to which you refer...

I forgot to include the requirement that the heir (by
way of a will) must also have a Mileage Plus account.

So, in a nutshell...in the event of a death, United will
transfer miles from one spouse's MP account the
other spouse's. Otherwise, the miles are forfeited
unless you designate in a will that the miles are to
be transferred to someone (with a MP account).

[This message has been edited by yummyham (edited 12-20-2001).]

Randy has answered this question before.

Please see:

http://misc.biztravel.com/CPageUtil_.dll?Content&path=Nv/miles/miles.htm&affiliation=BT3&ssnid=

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/003114.html

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by yummyham:
What are the written rules? I'm not sure I understand
the conflict to which you refer...

[This message has been edited by yummyham (edited 12-20-2001).]</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> 7. Accrued mileage and certificates do not constitute property of the member. Neither accrued mileage nor certificates are transferable (i) upon death, (ii) as part of a domestic relations matter, or (iii) otherwise by operation of law."
</font>

It is the (i) that caught my eye. I must be missing something but I did not see another section in the rules that would apply?