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-   -   What to do with miles when someone dies... ? (Definitive Thread) (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta-air-lines-skymiles/2065070-what-do-miles-when-someone-dies-definitive-thread.html)

Renes Points Jun 10, 2016 5:39 am


Originally Posted by atwnsw2 (Post 26757117)
My Mom passed away in April and accumulated 500k in Delta skymiles from her Delta Amex card.

My father is alive but has Alzheimer's and I am in the process of having him declared incompetent.
He can no longer travel and is in frail health.

At some point I will have to close her Amex delta account whether by choice or by law since the estate attorney has posted 90 notice to all creditors but was wondering the best course of action. Obviously I don't want Amex to contact Delta to inform them of her passing and lose the miles.

I have online access to her skymiles account. I don't think it makes sense to financially to transfer the miles to my account.

Suggestions?

First, very sorry for your loss and your father.

Next, it is good you know Delta is not kind to those who have lost a loved one. You need to get points out before they zero them out ie yes do not contact Delta!

Transfer of points can cost more that they are worth. If you still have access to her Delta.com account, the best choice value wise is booking tickets for you and others.

If not, a horrid value, but an option since she had or per Delta has a DL AX card spend them at SkyMiles Marketplace for say Amazon gift cards and get about half a cent value each

http://renespoints.boardingarea.com/...s-skymiles.jpg

rylan Jun 10, 2016 5:57 am

Sorry for your loss :(

As Renes mentioned, I would not contact Delta otherwise all of the points will be gone. Use them to book award travel tickets asap if possible if you have plans that you know of, otherwise the gift cards is the next option although at a very poor redemption value. Still better than DL taking everything back.

KDCAflyer Jun 10, 2016 6:14 am

Definitely DL's most despicable practice. I'm surprised that there hasn't been some news story about it that generated a lot of bad PR and forced DL to change the policy.

btonkid12345 Jun 10, 2016 6:36 am

First off, my deepest condolences for your loss.

Regarding the miles - given she has a DL Amex - you could consider Pay With Miles.

If you don't know how to work the award system or don't have time (although there are people out there you can pay small amounts of money to and they will find you the most value for your trips given your points) you can at least get 1 cent in value for each mile to use like cash towards revenue tickets.

This also would give you status qualifying miles. So you could spend $5000 total on DL tickets if that's easier/more expedient, and better value than the Amazon gift cards. Hope this helps.

davetravels Jun 10, 2016 8:00 am

Sorry for your loss.

When this type of thread pops up, I'm a little surprised that none of the regular Delta apologists here chime in to say that, using these miles is unethical, illegal, and that you are defrauding Delta.

DLdweeb Jun 10, 2016 8:36 am


Originally Posted by davetravels (Post 26757755)
Sorry for your loss.

When this type of thread pops up, I'm a little surprised that none of the regular Delta apologists here chime in to say that, using these miles is unethical, illegal, and that you are defrauding Delta.

Give them time, I''m sure they'll be by shortly....

boeingguy1 Jun 10, 2016 8:41 am


Originally Posted by atwnsw2 (Post 26757117)
My Mom passed away in April and accumulated 500k in Delta skymiles from her Delta Amex card.

My father is alive but has Alzheimer's and I am in the process of having him declared incompetent.
He can no longer travel and is in frail health.

At some point I will have to close her Amex delta account whether by choice or by law since the estate attorney has posted 90 notice to all creditors but was wondering the best course of action. Obviously I don't want Amex to contact Delta to inform them of her passing and lose the miles.

I have online access to her skymiles account. I don't think it makes sense to financially to transfer the miles to my account.

Suggestions?

Condolences for your loss. Echoing other posters, do not contact Delta. Figure out what is worth more to you (IE, D1 to an exotic location vs. Amazon Gift Cards, for example) and cash out those miles as fast as you can.

KDCAflyer Jun 10, 2016 8:58 am

Two tickets to SYD in business class. That's what I would do with 500K miles that I had to spend immediately or lose. If you wanted to take more people somewhere, you could get four tickets in business class to Europe.

Cash out now if you aren't able to travel anywhere.

MSPeconomist Jun 10, 2016 9:23 am

If award tickets are issued now, is there any risk that DL would find out about the death and cancel the tickets given that they were requested after the death? My instinct would be to not only get the tickets now but also arrange to do the travel ASAP.

davetravels Jun 10, 2016 9:25 am

I wonder, in cases like this, if someone had access to the SkyMiles account, and booked tix after the death, and DL found out about the death - and the date, could - or would they cancel those tix once they are issued?

FlyAO2 Jun 10, 2016 9:42 am


Originally Posted by davetravels (Post 26758182)
I wonder, in cases like this, if someone had access to the SkyMiles account, and booked tix after the death, and DL found out about the death - and the date, could - or would they cancel those tix once they are issued?

Realistically though how could DL ever find out about the death.

Although a possibility I don't thank that the OP should be concerned about that. As many mentioned, if you can log into the account just book tickets using the miles.

Sorry for your loss.

Renes Points Jun 10, 2016 9:48 am


Originally Posted by davetravels (Post 26758182)
I wonder, in cases like this, if someone had access to the SkyMiles account, and booked tix after the death, and DL found out about the death - and the date, could - or would they cancel those tix once they are issued?

Anything that breaks the T&C can be cause them to cancel even mid trip! :(

Again, horrid value, but Amazon card can be cashed and not clawed back or as MSP said fly quickly! @:-)

GoAmtrak Jun 10, 2016 10:01 am


Originally Posted by FlyAO2 (Post 26758288)
Realistically though how could DL ever find out about the death.

Doesn't DL use Experian Mosaic USA data for CRM purposes? With the right level of sophistication, a household dissolving due to death could hypothetically get flagged once public records populate through the systems, right?

pbarnette Jun 10, 2016 10:11 am


Originally Posted by davetravels (Post 26757755)
Sorry for your loss.

When this type of thread pops up, I'm a little surprised that none of the regular Delta apologists here chime in to say that, using these miles is unethical, illegal, and that you are defrauding Delta.

Well, it is unethical and is a violation of the agreement entered into when the miles were accrued. But the Guy's mother died and it seems inappropriate to pile on. Besides, if he wanted advice on ethical behavior, this is the last place to come. If he is okay with sneaking around to avail himself of something he isn't entitled to, that is his choice.

Renes Points Jun 10, 2016 10:25 am


Originally Posted by davetravels (Post 26757755)
Sorry for your loss.

When this type of thread pops up, I'm a little surprised that none of the regular Delta apologists here chime in to say that, using these miles is unethical, illegal, and that you are defrauding Delta.


Originally Posted by pbarnette (Post 26758434)
Well, it is unethical and is a violation of the agreement entered into when the miles were accrued. But the Guy's mother died and it seems inappropriate to pile on. Besides, if he wanted advice on ethical behavior, this is the last place to come. If he is okay with sneaking around to avail himself of something he isn't entitled to, that is his choice.

:D

All should keep in mind, years ago, Delta had the BEST policy that it cost you nothing to send points to your loved ones upon death (unlike so many airlines that just charge a small fee). The #DieMiles™ is a rather new-ish change.


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