Death of member in family account
May 5, 2016, 4:53 am
#2
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Tried a search with little luck.
My elderly aunt just passed away
She had a substantial # of avios points in her account as well as combined in our family account. What happens to her points now? Would they still be available until expiry. Any tips, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I really hope the points are not lost. Hope to possibly use them to fly family in for funeral.
Tia
My elderly aunt just passed away
She had a substantial # of avios points in her account as well as combined in our family account. What happens to her points now? Would they still be available until expiry. Any tips, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I really hope the points are not lost. Hope to possibly use them to fly family in for funeral.
Tia
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/...and-conditions
3.12.2. upon the death of a Member, Avios points, Tier Points and Lifetime Tier Points accumulated but unused at the time of death shall be cancelled.
May 5, 2016, 4:56 am
#3
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Whilst it's not what the rules say, there's nothing to stop you not telling BA about the death and simply leaving the account open and gradually using the miles.
Sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss.
May 5, 2016, 5:06 am
#4
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Sorry for your loss. I wish you and your family Long Life, and Strength during this difficult time.
As has been pointed out, the Avios will disappear when you advise BA of the loss of your Aunt.
However, as has also been advised, you could 'illegally' use the Avios before advising BA. I would not encourage this behaviour, but I understand it does happen.
My own advice - ask the Mods to remove your Post (as there are BA reps on FT who may not take too kindly to some of the advice)!
Best,
M
As has been pointed out, the Avios will disappear when you advise BA of the loss of your Aunt.
However, as has also been advised, you could 'illegally' use the Avios before advising BA. I would not encourage this behaviour, but I understand it does happen.
My own advice - ask the Mods to remove your Post (as there are BA reps on FT who may not take too kindly to some of the advice)!
Best,
M
Last edited by msm2000uk; May 5, 2016 at 6:45 am
May 5, 2016, 5:44 am
#6
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It's a shame that you can't perhaps gift the miles like some other airlines do.
Also, even if you start trying to use up her Avios, since it's in a family account it will take them in proportion to the others in the account. At least that's what's happened when I've redeemed recently. Ie if her account holds 1/3 of the points in the then they will only take 1/3 of the required points from there so you will always be trying to wind down the account. You could remove everyone else from the family account and then put them back in when you've used up her balance.
I thought some other airlines had brought in the right to leave points in your will?
Also, even if you start trying to use up her Avios, since it's in a family account it will take them in proportion to the others in the account. At least that's what's happened when I've redeemed recently. Ie if her account holds 1/3 of the points in the then they will only take 1/3 of the required points from there so you will always be trying to wind down the account. You could remove everyone else from the family account and then put them back in when you've used up her balance.
I thought some other airlines had brought in the right to leave points in your will?
May 5, 2016, 6:00 am
#7
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She will no longer acquire TP's as you need to fly in the seat for that, so her status with the airline will gradually decline. As presumably will her avois balance as she continues to be fondly remembered for the gifts she continues to give to her family group? 
May 5, 2016, 6:00 am
#8
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May 5, 2016, 7:48 am
#9
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I remember that the previous BA Official Rep (Nikki) used to offer to help in this situation, and that BA are actually fairly agreeable about moving the Avios to a different account (especially if part of a HHA) so it may be worth PM-ing the BA Rep about this (perhaps without giving too much info away in the first instance). My stepmother contacted BA directly following the death of her then husband and they transferred his Avios across to her account - although they were under no obligation to do so. I know someone else who just didn't close her husband's account when he died and has been spending the Avios since through their HHA. I would go with whichever option you are most comfortable with - risk vs honesty I guess.
May 5, 2016, 7:59 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2012
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It's a shame that you can't perhaps gift the miles like some other airlines do.
Also, even if you start trying to use up her Avios, since it's in a family account it will take them in proportion to the others in the account. At least that's what's happened when I've redeemed recently. Ie if her account holds 1/3 of the points in the then they will only take 1/3 of the required points from there so you will always be trying to wind down the account. You could remove everyone else from the family account and then put them back in when you've used up her balance.
I thought some other airlines had brought in the right to leave points in your will?
Also, even if you start trying to use up her Avios, since it's in a family account it will take them in proportion to the others in the account. At least that's what's happened when I've redeemed recently. Ie if her account holds 1/3 of the points in the then they will only take 1/3 of the required points from there so you will always be trying to wind down the account. You could remove everyone else from the family account and then put them back in when you've used up her balance.
I thought some other airlines had brought in the right to leave points in your will?
May 5, 2016, 8:06 am
#12
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3.12. Membership will terminate automatically:
3.12.2. upon the death of a Member, Avios points, Tier Points and Lifetime Tier Points accumulated but unused at the time of death shall be cancelled.
3.12.2. upon the death of a Member, Avios points, Tier Points and Lifetime Tier Points accumulated but unused at the time of death shall be cancelled.
I think the definition of "fraud" covers it quite well - includes fraud, dishonesty and deceit. You don't think continuing to impersonate someone who is no longer a member isn't a problem?
Bear in mind that I am not advocating a course of action here, just setting out the rules. Clearly some do take the risk and continue spending the avios, and some don't. I do quite like cosmo74's suggestion though and if I were ever in this situation I think that is what I would do.
May 5, 2016, 8:13 am
#13
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I think for the vast majority of people, reporting the death of a relative to BAEC is pretty far down the list of things to do. The Avios will remain in the HHA and they'll get used, eventually. I'll wager that few people would even make the association that some of the HHA Avios are improperly there.
Tempest in a teacup.
Tempest in a teacup.
May 5, 2016, 8:15 am
#14
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I think for the vast majority of people, reporting the death of a relative to BAEC is pretty far down the list of things to do. The Avios will remain in the HHA and they'll get used, eventually. I'll wager that few people would even make the association that some of the HHA Avios are improperly there.
Tempest in a teacup.
Tempest in a teacup.
May 5, 2016, 8:26 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: London
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Remember though that the traveller would be redeeming from their own account - and it is BA that is not following 3.12.2!