Sep 30, 2015, 12:14 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
What happens to AAdvantage miles in case of death (or divorce)?
AA states they actually own the miles and they are not transferable other than paid means offered by their affiliates. However, as provided by the AAdvantage Terms and Conditions, AA miles can in fact be transferred through a will or in divorce proceedings, with the consent of American Airlines. Specific forms (including an affidavit) must be filled out, and copies of death certificate, decree etc. must be provided with filled out forms. For necessary forms, contact AAdvantage Customer Service (link), Open weekdays 7-7 Central time) for further assistance and forms.
Members have previously posted they have successfully moved miles from the account of a decedent to that of a designated heir. Others have posted about divorce decrees specifying miles transfers as part of a settlement.
The moderator can verify the definitive post in this thread is from the archive:
See Posts #41 and #68.
From a NY Times article, courtesy of BOSOGG:
Airlines That Allow Transfers (after death)
AMERICAN
Kudos to American for having a clear, consistent policy: AAdvantage miles can be transferred out of a deceased member’s account to a beneficiary’s AAdvantage account. In April, American even dropped the $50 fee it used to charge for some transfers. On request, the airline will send a packet with an affidavit the beneficiary should fill out, indicating whose account should receive the miles; it should be signed by the surviving spouse, the sole heir or the executor of the estate. A copy of the death certificate must also be submitted (but doesn’t have to be certified, which is also the case with most airlines). Michael Maldonado, an American spokesman, said transfer requests are processed within seven business days.
Older and obsolete posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: AA miles: Can transfer due to death or divorce? (consolidated)
AA states they actually own the miles and they are not transferable other than paid means offered by their affiliates. However, as provided by the AAdvantage Terms and Conditions, AA miles can in fact be transferred through a will or in divorce proceedings, with the consent of American Airlines. Specific forms (including an affidavit) must be filled out, and copies of death certificate, decree etc. must be provided with filled out forms. For necessary forms, contact AAdvantage Customer Service (link), Open weekdays 7-7 Central time) for further assistance and forms.
Earning AAdvantage miles
...Except as otherwise explained below, mileage credit is not transferable and may not be combined among AAdvantage members, their estates, successors or assigns. Accrued mileage credit and award tickets do not constitute property of the member. Neither accrued mileage, nor award tickets, nor status, nor upgrades are transferable by the member (i) upon death, (ii) as part of a domestic relations matter, or (iii) otherwise by operation of law. However, American Airlines, in its sole discretion, may credit accrued mileage to persons specifically identified in court approved divorce decrees and wills upon receipt of documentation satisfactory to American Airlines and upon payment of any applicable fees. (Link).
Note: AA no longer charges for this.
...Except as otherwise explained below, mileage credit is not transferable and may not be combined among AAdvantage members, their estates, successors or assigns. Accrued mileage credit and award tickets do not constitute property of the member. Neither accrued mileage, nor award tickets, nor status, nor upgrades are transferable by the member (i) upon death, (ii) as part of a domestic relations matter, or (iii) otherwise by operation of law. However, American Airlines, in its sole discretion, may credit accrued mileage to persons specifically identified in court approved divorce decrees and wills upon receipt of documentation satisfactory to American Airlines and upon payment of any applicable fees. (Link).
Note: AA no longer charges for this.
The moderator can verify the definitive post in this thread is from the archive:
...You have been given all of the correct information. Your first call to customer service will provide that the affidavit and instructions be sent to you, aong (sic) with a return envelope. Complete the affidavit, provide a DC (death certificate) the fee, mail and the miles will be transferred in short time.
Note: no fee is charged.
Note: no fee is charged.
From a NY Times article, courtesy of BOSOGG:
Airlines That Allow Transfers (after death)
AMERICAN
Kudos to American for having a clear, consistent policy: AAdvantage miles can be transferred out of a deceased member’s account to a beneficiary’s AAdvantage account. In April, American even dropped the $50 fee it used to charge for some transfers. On request, the airline will send a packet with an affidavit the beneficiary should fill out, indicating whose account should receive the miles; it should be signed by the surviving spouse, the sole heir or the executor of the estate. A copy of the death certificate must also be submitted (but doesn’t have to be certified, which is also the case with most airlines). Michael Maldonado, an American spokesman, said transfer requests are processed within seven business days.
AA policy: One can inherit / transfer miles due to death or divorce (master thread)
Nov 20, 2015, 12:10 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA Exp / Marriott Titanium / Hilton Gold / Hyatt Globalist / United Silver
Posts: 958
1. OP Sorry for your loss
2. AA does have much nicer transfer policy than Delta - who says "Miles may not be transferred for any reasons, including but not limited to, death..." I have in my will - where I wrote down my Delta log-in and asks my partner to immediately book a J around the world in the event of my untimely departure.
2. AA does have much nicer transfer policy than Delta - who says "Miles may not be transferred for any reasons, including but not limited to, death..." I have in my will - where I wrote down my Delta log-in and asks my partner to immediately book a J around the world in the event of my untimely departure.
Nov 20, 2015, 12:10 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: AA, B6, UA, HH, WoH
Posts: 455
Sorry and welcome. Good luck with this.....
From a NY Times article:
Airlines That Allow Transfers (after death)
AMERICAN
Kudos to American for having a clear, consistent policy: AAdvantage miles can be transferred out of a deceased member’s account to a beneficiary’s AAdvantage account. In April, American even dropped the $50 fee it used to charge for some transfers. On request, the airline will send a packet with an affidavit the beneficiary should fill out, indicating whose account should receive the miles; it should be signed by the surviving spouse, the sole heir or the executor of the estate. A copy of the death certificate must also be submitted (but doesn’t have to be certified, which is also the case with most airlines). Michael Maldonado, an American spokesman, said transfer requests are processed within seven business days.
From a NY Times article:
Airlines That Allow Transfers (after death)
AMERICAN
Kudos to American for having a clear, consistent policy: AAdvantage miles can be transferred out of a deceased member’s account to a beneficiary’s AAdvantage account. In April, American even dropped the $50 fee it used to charge for some transfers. On request, the airline will send a packet with an affidavit the beneficiary should fill out, indicating whose account should receive the miles; it should be signed by the surviving spouse, the sole heir or the executor of the estate. A copy of the death certificate must also be submitted (but doesn’t have to be certified, which is also the case with most airlines). Michael Maldonado, an American spokesman, said transfer requests are processed within seven business days.
Nov 20, 2015, 12:34 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: HNL
Programs: AA ExecPlat | UA 1K | Hyatt Diamond| Copa Gold | Carnival Gold | Hilton Gold | Marriott Gold
Posts: 18
My friend just used her late fathers miles and was able to go to the airport and pay with cash. Although, she didn't say he had passed, she told the AAgent that he didn't have a credit card...
Nov 20, 2015, 1:28 pm
#21
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
And it's easier, IMO, to just fill out and submit the required forms to do this legitimately in any case. No cost, no problem.
Nov 20, 2015, 1:39 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: UA-Plat, AA - EXP, SPG-Gold
Posts: 164
I am pretty sure your spouse would not mind you using miles from his/her account. I would just use his/her name with your credit card info and it will work. The credit card company only verifies the acct number and zip code when it comes to reservations.
Nov 20, 2015, 1:42 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: UA-Plat, AA - EXP, SPG-Gold
Posts: 164
There is not actually any rule that the CC must match the AAdvantage account---I have used my credit card in combination with my spouse's miles (over the phone, not online). However, what you are trying to do is fraud (using miles without the account holder's approval), and that is a different matter altogether.
I don't recall if AA allows you to inherit the miles---others will know this. They might allow it even when it's not in the rules, if you ask nicely and don't try to trick them.
I don't recall if AA allows you to inherit the miles---others will know this. They might allow it even when it's not in the rules, if you ask nicely and don't try to trick them.
Nov 20, 2015, 2:02 pm
#25
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Fraud? Really? Its that person spouse so I am pretty sure they would not mind plus he has the PIN and account number so its clear that his/her spouse gave out that information. Also, how will AA know that the person whose name on the account is no longer alive? After all we are talking about miles and not money.
There are instances of fraud on FT where, for example, a onetime spouse a bailed themselves of a member's account information by surreptitious means and drained the account, for example. How are AA employees to know when using another's account is allowed and ethical, or merely theft or conversion?
And it's very easy these days to use Google to find a death listing.
Last edited by JDiver; Nov 20, 2015 at 2:30 pm
Nov 20, 2015, 2:04 pm
#26
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bahamas
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 958
Nov 20, 2015, 2:09 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
Sorry, it's fraudulent account activity - relatively easily resolved by following AA requirements for having the miles credited to one's account. And AA Corporate Security AAdvantage Fraud is comprised of pretty astute - and aggressive - persons. Lots of evidence here on FT. And, btw, evidence they read FlyerTalk, as well.
IANAL, and the rest of this post is merely to the best of my knowledge with no guarantee or claim of total accuracy or legal defensibility, but the last thing you need is another interested party claiming interest in the miles after you've redeemed them; technically the miles would go into the estate and be divided according to either the last will and testament, or the other procedures established in the local jurisdiction if one did not exist. If you take value out of the estate when it is not authorized, this constitutes legal fraud. If another party contests your ability to do this (and probate can be reopened for years after the end of life of the deceased if another party claims they were disadvantaged or that their claim to executorship is stronger than yours), having AAdvantage accounts closed would be the least of your concerns at that point.
Nov 20, 2015, 2:19 pm
#28
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,049
Nov 20, 2015, 2:23 pm
#29
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,632
I doubt that if someone has your account number and password, that proves you gave it to them. In any case, "I am pretty sure" and "so it is clear" are not relevant arguments. It's not a philosophical question; it's not a matter of how you feel about this. It's using someone else's account and thus pretending to be that person to use the miles. That's fraud.
Also, how will AA know that the person whose name on the account is no longer alive?
.
Last edited by SeeBuyFly; Nov 20, 2015 at 2:30 pm
Nov 20, 2015, 2:31 pm
#30
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFO, CLT
Programs: AA Bonsai EXP (2.9 MM), AS MVPG
Posts: 1,395
My spouse died a year ago... can get into his account, selected flights, and tried to pay the fee ($11.20) with my credit card, but was told the card had to match the account owner's name. The trip is on American/American Eagle, and inside the United States.
What are my options? I would rather not lose his 160,000 miles because there isn't a credit card in his name.
What are my options? I would rather not lose his 160,000 miles because there isn't a credit card in his name.
For my kids' accounts, I buy a preloaded VISA card from Walgreens (or wherever), register it online in one of their names, and it works absolutely fine for paying taxes and fees online where name on card must match account name.
YMMV.