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Older and obsolete posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: AA miles: Can transfer due to death or divorce?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, 2:44 pm
#31
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
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Not to be pedantic, and I agree there is an easy way to do this, but that's simply not true that using someone else's account is fraud. It may be a violation of AA's terms and conditions but it's a huge oversimplification to state as you do that "using someone else's account and thus pretending to be that person" is always fraud.
Just to add to what has already been said, the spouse is not necessarily the beneficiary. It could be a matter of taking the miles from the actual beneficiary.
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.
Whether they will catch you is a different question from whether it is fraud.
.
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.
Whether they will catch you is a different question from whether it is fraud.
.
Nov 20, 2015, 2:51 pm
#32
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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Not to be pedantic, and I agree there is an easy way to do this, but that's simply not true that using someone else's account is fraud. It may be a violation of AA's terms and conditions but it's a huge oversimplification to state as you do that "using someone else's account and thus pretending to be that person" is always fraud.
(I'm not speculating here - I've actually communicated about this and related issues with someone who was at AA in the appropriate unit.)
Add a possible soupçon of not being an inheritor, or availing one's miles surreptitiously, and it can even become a legal issue.
Nov 20, 2015, 3:09 pm
#33
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Not to be pedantic, and I agree there is an easy way to do this, but that's simply not true that using someone else's account is fraud. It may be a violation of AA's terms and conditions but it's a huge oversimplification to state as you do that "using someone else's account and thus pretending to be that person" is always fraud.
Nov 20, 2015, 5:55 pm
#34
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
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Posts: 8,317
Is a will needed in a community property state?
My wife is my heir without the need for a will.
My wife is my heir without the need for a will.
Nov 20, 2015, 5:59 pm
#35
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There's still a necessity of the AA form. I assume reference to your state's law will suffice in such a case, along with death certificate, marriage certificate or other proof, though I'm not a lawyer.
Feb 26, 2016, 1:06 pm
#37
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Just a late post to say "please read the wikipost at the top of the page", as it contains both instructions and the link to use to request the required forms.
Feb 26, 2016, 7:56 pm
#38
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Texas
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Just a late post to say "please read the wikipost at the top of the page", as it contains both instructions and the link to use to request the required forms.
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.
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.
OK I have really bad eyes and have been accused of being dumb as a post, but I'm not seeing anything in the linked page in the wiki other than a general way to contact AAdvantage Customer Service. Certainly nothing that directly addresses inherited miles or obtaining the packet mentioned in Post 17 copied above.
Has the recent poster, or another FT'er, actually obtained the Transfer Upon Death packet and how did it go? Please tell me where I'm missing the appropriate link.
I made several past inquiries to AAdvantage Customer Service about how to transfer my deceased parents' miles, but they only resulted in suspicion-laden non-answers from persons who could be also accused of being dumb as a post. Or at the very least disinterested and unhelpful. We more or less gave up and told the only sibling with no AAdvantage account of her own she was welcome to try it at her own risk.
Last edited by jayer; Feb 26, 2016 at 8:10 pm
Feb 26, 2016, 9:27 pm
#39
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
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OK I have really bad eyes and have been accused of being dumb as a post, but I'm not seeing anything in the linked page in the wiki other than a general way to contact AAdvantage Customer Service. Certainly nothing that directly addresses inherited miles or obtaining the packet mentioned in Post 17 copied above.
Has the recent poster, or another FT'er, actually obtained the Transfer Upon Death packet and how did it go? Please tell me where I'm missing the appropriate link.
I made several past inquiries to AAdvantage Customer Service about how to transfer my deceased parents' miles, but they only resulted in suspicion-laden non-answers from persons who could be also accused of being dumb as a post. Or at the very least disinterested and unhelpful. We more or less gave up and told the only sibling with no AAdvantage account of her own she was welcome to try it at her own risk.
Has the recent poster, or another FT'er, actually obtained the Transfer Upon Death packet and how did it go? Please tell me where I'm missing the appropriate link.
I made several past inquiries to AAdvantage Customer Service about how to transfer my deceased parents' miles, but they only resulted in suspicion-laden non-answers from persons who could be also accused of being dumb as a post. Or at the very least disinterested and unhelpful. We more or less gave up and told the only sibling with no AAdvantage account of her own she was welcome to try it at her own risk.
You need to request the forms and affidavit for transferring AAdvantage miles from a deceased member's account to inheritors. Don't go into detail about who died etc. just request the forms.
The wikipost contains the information you need, including a post from a retired AA employee who certainly knew what was required.
Mar 29, 2016, 8:29 pm
#41
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Texas
Programs: Hyatt Glob (Barely); Marriott Plat Life; AA Up and Down Now Plat; Hilton, UA, BA, HA Peasant
Posts: 2,669
The first paragraph states: "Specific forms must be filled out; contact AAdvantage Customer Service (link) for further assistance and forms."
You need to request the forms and affidavit for transferring AAdvantage miles from a deceased member's account to inheritors. Don't go into detail about who died etc. just request the forms.
The wikipost contains the information you need, including a post from a retired AA employee who certainly knew what was required.
You need to request the forms and affidavit for transferring AAdvantage miles from a deceased member's account to inheritors. Don't go into detail about who died etc. just request the forms.
The wikipost contains the information you need, including a post from a retired AA employee who certainly knew what was required.
If you are in the same situation; it just was not that involved. As noted the wiki link sends you to a general Customer Service electronic message form. (You explain your issue rather than find an on-point form or check box).
It took longer than stated for a first reply, but a clear reply was received soon enough. (They sent a current affidavit form to be filled out and e-mailed back with a death certificate. They didn't ask for anything else). As executor I was able to transfer the miles into an active account.
My suggestion is get 'em transferred while the process is working well. No need to bend the rules just to try and spend the miles.
Jun 13, 2016, 1:34 pm
#45
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Join Date: Aug 2011
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Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
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Changes Available via the My Account Section
You may make a one-time change to the first and/or middle name of your AAdvantage account when you also store your Secure Flight Information at My Account.
You may make a one-time change to the first and/or middle name of your AAdvantage account when you also store your Secure Flight Information at My Account.
All last name changes, as well as any other changes that cannot be handled via My Account or AAdvantage Customer Service, require a written request and supporting legal documentation. Please submit these requests via FAX to the American Airlines AAdvantage Department at 817-963-7882.
Also, you would like have to change the date of birth of the account name holder as this is part of the Secure Flight requirements, which I'd bet is impossible barring extreme circumstances and would definitely require manual intervention.
For reference, on my personal account, I am unable to change my middle name, last name, date of birth, or gender online.