UDL: Thanks for the information. This is but another example of the very helpful information you have provided on this board and I know all of us DL flyers appreciate it. My wife and I both have provisions in our wills for the transfer of these miles just to be safe. This information should eliminate any problem when the unfortunate triggering event occurs. Given the discussion elsewhere regarding DL and Chapter 11, let's hope DL is still around to accept the transfer.

I take it from the sentance

-OR- BEING GIVEN TO OTHER THAN SPOUSE:

that Skymiles could be transferred to ANYONE else, not just a spouse?

Jeff

If it is willed to someone, why not?

It doesn't even have to be just a spouse. When my father died a few years ago (1997), I was able to transfer his Sky Miles into my account. He did not have anything about them in his will. It was very easy to do. I was both his executor and primary beneficiary, and the part I don't remember is which of those (executor or beneficiary) allowed me to direct where they went. Regardless, I just had to send a copy of the Death Certificate and either a copy of the will or the Letter of Administration--the transfer happened fairly quickly after I did that.

UDH- Thanks so much. This really helps a great deal, as I'm doing this for my grandmother, and she'll be very appreciative. You're great!

Related question. Assuming you already had access to the person (say parent's) skymiles acct + pin, and there wouldn't be a lot of orphaned miles, would it be better to use their account to request a ticket for yourself or someone else after they died, or to go through the process of getting the miles transferred?


Jeff

This has been discussed many times and some people continue to use the account. Technically you probably should/could not, but since DL does not read the obits on a regular basis, who would know.

Like many of you, I personally do all the tracking and ticketing out of my spouse's account already, same with the kids. If one died, what would change?

You are exposing yourself to the possibility that another beneficiary comes along with a claim that you had stolen miles which should have gone to them, especially if the will could be contested. If this is not a real possibility, then I don't see a problem.

Redeeming Skymiles for deceased father
 

Friends,
My father recently passed away and was also a Road Warrier, a PM for many years, he was less than 100K from MM but had recently dropped down to SM due to less travel. He has around 500K in his account and I need to know the best way to manage them for my Mom.

Thanks for any insight.

Sympathies indeed.

As I understand it, this is the one and only way that miles can be transferred between accounts. So, if your mother doesn't have an account she can get one and transferred. Or transferred to you to book for her. However, the easiest way is that if you have the PIN number just to let it remain active and book the travel out of that account. I wouldn't have any ethical issues with it and I doubt there are any legal ones (unless it would be a disputed estate which I am not getting those feelings from you) but I am not an attorney.

The leaving them alone method might be better. I don't think we have ever confirmed this but availability might be better for MM status, I suspect if they were transferred, it would lose that distinction.

Sorry to hear about your father passing away, flying chicken .

When my father died in 1996 he had roughly 30,000 Sky Miles in his account. It was very easy for me to transfer them into my account. I just sent them a copy of the death certificate and instructions on where to transfer them, and it happened within two or three weeks of when I sent the request. I was both my father's executor and his main beneficiary and the part I don't remember is which made me eligible to assign them or authorized to receive them (they weren't in his will or anything). Regardless, it was very straightforward and not complicated. However, I do agree with the above post from indufan that any accumulation toward MM status would almost certainly be terminated.

My condolences, flying chicken.
A recent issue of Inside Flyer magazine addressed this very issue. It seems DL has one of the more liberal policies about transferring miles to family members after a death. Many of the other majors insist on both a death certificate AND a copy of the will or trust specifically instructing where the deceased wants the miles to go.
The suggestion in the magazine was to include a paragraph in your will or trust covering your wishes for any airline or hotel miles/points you may have accumulated. The more miles and points you have, the more important this obviously is. And if you wish to will your miles to a non-family member, it's almost mandatory that this be spelled out regardless of airline.
Even though most of my outstanding miles are with DL and they CURRENTLY have a liberal transfer policy, who knows what the future will bring. Better to take care of this now and not have to worry about DL changing their attitude at some point in the future.

How to handle miles from a deceased relative?
 

Hi. My father passed away about a year ago and he currently has about 21k Delta SkyMiles...I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on the best way to handle it. Is there any way to either transfer the miles to my mother's account or to even put in an award claim on them?

Thanks in advance.

When my dad died a year ago, my mom had no problems claiming his miles. The (obvious) first step: call Delta.

When my father passed away, I was able to transfer his miles into my account without problem. I just called SMS, and they explained the procedure to me. As I recall, I wrote them a letter, explaining that my father had passed away, and giving them both his SkyMiles number and my SkyMiles number. I had to enclose copies of the death certificate (Note to anyone: If you ever lose a loved one, be sure you get LOTS of copies of the death certificate. You'll use them all!) and his will. The miles transfered in about 4-6 weeks.

I'm sorry for your loss.