What happens to BA Miles on death of member?
Jun 28, 2005, 12:37 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Israel (some of the time)
Programs: BA GGL, CCR; AF/KLM FB Silver; M&M LH FTL; LY GLD; HH Diamond; SPG Gold; A-Club Silver; Avis PCI
Posts: 2,054
Originally Posted by mattjam
As far as I know, no. However, you can add people to your household account before the fateful day.
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Jun 28, 2005, 1:00 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Surrey, UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 49
Originally Posted by BAHumbug
This is the clause in the EC membership rules:
3.12.2 upon the death of a Member, Mileage and Tier Points accumulated but unused at the time of death shall be cancelled.
3.12.2 upon the death of a Member, Mileage and Tier Points accumulated but unused at the time of death shall be cancelled.
Jun 28, 2005, 1:10 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London and Zurich
Programs: AA, BA, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routières, PCR
Posts: 13,609
I remember reading posts in other fora that in North America especially, FF miles and points become part of the deceased's estate no matter what the rules and regulations say and the person's bequests are acted on. (Sorry, I wouldn't know where to look now, except that it was probably in travelbuzz or similar.)
Certainly some airlines - from memory AA and DL - allow miles to be transferred or redeemed after a death certificate and perhaps an extract from the will are supplied.
In view of the EC rules we agree to when signing up, I imagine it would be difficult to persuade BA to agree to this without assistance from m'learned friends, which may be expensive for a test case.
Of course, some of our North American cousins continue redeeming using the deceased's account. Not a difficult prospect - except when redeeming AmEx twofers
.
Certainly some airlines - from memory AA and DL - allow miles to be transferred or redeemed after a death certificate and perhaps an extract from the will are supplied.
In view of the EC rules we agree to when signing up, I imagine it would be difficult to persuade BA to agree to this without assistance from m'learned friends, which may be expensive for a test case.
Of course, some of our North American cousins continue redeeming using the deceased's account. Not a difficult prospect - except when redeeming AmEx twofers
.
Jun 28, 2005, 1:23 pm
#9
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,745
I have a close friend whose husband died shockingly and abruptly. I knew at the time that she could have cared less about his miles, but I also knew that in time she would begin to live again. I took over contacting the airlines on her behalf, and prepared all the necessary paperwork for her to sign. (We're talking months after the death, not days.) I dealt with UA and AA; both were superb about making the transfer.
And yes, now 18 months on, she is beginning to travel. Further, she has far flung children (late teens, early 20s) for whom the miles are a blessing as they fly in to visit.
And yes, now 18 months on, she is beginning to travel. Further, she has far flung children (late teens, early 20s) for whom the miles are a blessing as they fly in to visit.
Jun 28, 2005, 1:24 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Originally Posted by BAHumbug
I have to say, if someone close to me died I think the last thing I'd worry about is their BA miles...
Sorry if that sounds like rank heresy, but really.
Sorry if that sounds like rank heresy, but really.
However, miles are assets, like bank accounts, property, personal items, pets and the like. These all have to be dealt with at a most difficult time, so this is just one extra item. And the accrued value of an individual's miles and points accrued in several programmes over several years is not to be sniffed at.
Jun 28, 2005, 1:58 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 1,100
Thanks for the information. Recently, I was in the process of updating my Will etc. and it struck me - who gets the miles? Seems jolly unfair having earned them that BA can wipe them away at the moment of your greatest vulnerability.
Being of sound mind, I'd better spend them before Father Time comes knocking.
Being of sound mind, I'd better spend them before Father Time comes knocking.
Jun 28, 2005, 2:18 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,806
Originally Posted by Roger
In view of the EC rules we agree to when signing up, I imagine it would be difficult to persuade BA to agree to this without assistance from m'learned friends, which may be expensive for a test case.
Jun 28, 2005, 2:48 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 2,483
in the case of BA miles, at least if you have a household account it's not that difficult to just keep the miles of your family member. Just don't tell BA that they have sadly passed away.
I must say, I think the attitude of any airline who treats the miles as an asset that can be transferred if specifed in a will is a very positive thing... it would be nice to konw that if I die that at least my partner would be able to carry on our passion for travelling (MFU'd of course)
I must say, I think the attitude of any airline who treats the miles as an asset that can be transferred if specifed in a will is a very positive thing... it would be nice to konw that if I die that at least my partner would be able to carry on our passion for travelling (MFU'd of course)
Jun 28, 2005, 3:40 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Reading, Cambridge & Edinburgh, UK, Sunnyvale, CA and Philadelphia, PA
Programs: Top Gear
Posts: 583
Originally Posted by BAHumbug
Depending on your religious persuasion, you could argue that pegging it is the ultimate MFU...