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Older and obsolete posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: AA miles: Can transfer due to death or divorce?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)
Jun 13, 2016, 7:06 pm
#46
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Jun 13, 2016, 8:21 pm
#47
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Jun 13, 2016, 9:03 pm
#48
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Jun 13, 2016, 10:36 pm
#50
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Jun 13, 2016, 11:21 pm
#51
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Lifetime status is for the lifetime of the member, not descendants until the end of the airline's lifetime.
Jun 13, 2016, 11:29 pm
#52
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AA is actually ahead of some competitors in allowing miles to be transferred as they do; any more and we're pushing the limits. And it appears Messrs. Parker and Kirby aren't very charitably inclined towards passengers at the moment.
Jun 14, 2016, 10:08 am
#53
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 8
Let's say you're able to change the first name on the account, but ignore the DOB & gender, and used that account to book a flight. What happens at that point?
Jun 14, 2016, 10:48 am
#54
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Stop
What if we used the miles for family travel till the account had zero miles, then proceeded to process name change? Also, how does the name change process work when booking flights?
Let's say you're able to change the first name on the account, but ignore the DOB & gender, and used that account to book a flight. What happens at that point?
Let's say you're able to change the first name on the account, but ignore the DOB & gender, and used that account to book a flight. What happens at that point?
Not going to work.
Stop.
Jun 14, 2016, 10:57 am
#55
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As JonNYC, who has far more inside AA knowledge than almost any other poster here (and more than 98% of us combined) has said, please stop. This is not going to work.
Nov 15, 2016, 5:43 am
#56
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 45
Transferring miles after death of spouse?
Tried searching the forum but couldn't find any recent posts. My husband passed away in January 2016. There are around 130,000 miles in his account. I've read a lot of conflicting information about whether American will transfer his miles to me - from what I read, it's the luck of the draw in who you talk to. Has anyone had recent experience with this situation? Any advice?