What to do with miles when someone dies... ? (Definitive Thread)
Mar 2, 2020, 2:32 pm
#781
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,055
A FlyerTalk search (transfer miles death) discloses that the March 2013 policy change, withdrawing the former DL affidavit to transfer the SkyMiles of a decedent, remains the last word on this issue.
The informal DL policy remains, “Don’t ask, don’t tell.”
In other words, the survivor or heir should go online (presuming the password is known) and attempt to redeem the SkyMiles in the decedent’s account, rather than notifying DL and triggering expiration of the SkyMiles.
Seven years later, this DL death confiscation policy seems needlessly and extraordinarily cruel.
The informal DL policy remains, “Don’t ask, don’t tell.”
In other words, the survivor or heir should go online (presuming the password is known) and attempt to redeem the SkyMiles in the decedent’s account, rather than notifying DL and triggering expiration of the SkyMiles.
Seven years later, this DL death confiscation policy seems needlessly and extraordinarily cruel.
Mar 2, 2020, 4:02 pm
#782
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
Mar 2, 2020, 4:39 pm
#783
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,046
However I do understand it from an accounting point of view. Those miles remain liabilities until used or expired. By expiring upon death, DL can write a percent off the books each year. (Basically an estimate of how many are no longer going to be used, thus reducing liabilities)
Mar 3, 2020, 9:38 am
#784
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
A FlyerTalk search (transfer miles death) discloses that the March 2013 policy change, withdrawing the former DL affidavit to transfer the SkyMiles of a decedent, remains the last word on this issue.
The informal DL policy remains, “Don’t ask, don’t tell.”
In other words, the survivor or heir should go online (presuming the password is known) and attempt to redeem the SkyMiles in the decedent’s account, rather than notifying DL and triggering expiration of the SkyMiles.
Seven years later, this DL death confiscation policy seems needlessly and extraordinarily cruel.
The informal DL policy remains, “Don’t ask, don’t tell.”
In other words, the survivor or heir should go online (presuming the password is known) and attempt to redeem the SkyMiles in the decedent’s account, rather than notifying DL and triggering expiration of the SkyMiles.
Seven years later, this DL death confiscation policy seems needlessly and extraordinarily cruel.
Part of the ludicrous nature of this policy is that, periodically, DL offers to "sell miles" and there are various ways of paying more to increase the mileage you are provided.
But DL makes the ridiculous claim that DL, rather than the FF, "owns" the miles and, therefore, the miles cannot be transferred to a beneficiary upon the death of the FF.
So, you can buy miles from DL, but you do not own them after you have purchased them. Go figure.
Mar 3, 2020, 1:16 pm
#785
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,046
Just when I was starting to accommodate myself to this draconian policy, someone has to bring the topic back up again.
Part of the ludicrous nature of this policy is that, periodically, DL offers to "sell miles" and there are various ways of paying more to increase the mileage you are provided.
But DL makes the ridiculous claim that DL, rather than the FF, "owns" the miles and, therefore, the miles cannot be transferred to a beneficiary upon the death of the FF.
So, you can buy miles from DL, but you do not own them after you have purchased them. Go figure.
Part of the ludicrous nature of this policy is that, periodically, DL offers to "sell miles" and there are various ways of paying more to increase the mileage you are provided.
But DL makes the ridiculous claim that DL, rather than the FF, "owns" the miles and, therefore, the miles cannot be transferred to a beneficiary upon the death of the FF.
So, you can buy miles from DL, but you do not own them after you have purchased them. Go figure.
Mar 5, 2020, 9:00 am
#786
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,939
Just when I was starting to accommodate myself to this draconian policy, someone has to bring the topic back up again.
Part of the ludicrous nature of this policy is that, periodically, DL offers to "sell miles" and there are various ways of paying more to increase the mileage you are provided.
But DL makes the ridiculous claim that DL, rather than the FF, "owns" the miles and, therefore, the miles cannot be transferred to a beneficiary upon the death of the FF.
So, you can buy miles from DL, but you do not own them after you have purchased them. Go figure.
Part of the ludicrous nature of this policy is that, periodically, DL offers to "sell miles" and there are various ways of paying more to increase the mileage you are provided.
But DL makes the ridiculous claim that DL, rather than the FF, "owns" the miles and, therefore, the miles cannot be transferred to a beneficiary upon the death of the FF.
So, you can buy miles from DL, but you do not own them after you have purchased them. Go figure.
Oct 3, 2020, 4:48 pm
#787
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Programs: DL 1MM Platinum, UA 1k, HH Silver, BonVoy Platinum
Posts: 1,146
I just wanted to ask about this thread - my Dad will pass soon and the funeral will be held in a different state, requiring my Mom and myself to fly to the funeral. My Dad's account has the miles for us to fly r/t and we'd like to book using the miles (since it's $10 per 1,000 miles to transfer from my Dad to my Mom's account we thought it best to book using miles directly). Once we know the dates we need to fly we will book and stay for 2 weeks -- so likely it will happen before any social security cancellation and things like that. Does it still seem like it's possible to use his miles - such that we won't have issues with Delta (because booking is no problem as we have all details for login)? Thank you.
Oct 3, 2020, 4:59 pm
#788
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,543
I just wanted to ask about this thread - my Dad will pass soon and the funeral will be held in a different state, requiring my Mom and myself to fly to the funeral. My Dad's account has the miles for us to fly r/t and we'd like to book using the miles (since it's $10 per 1,000 miles to transfer from my Dad to my Mom's account we thought it best to book using miles directly). Once we know the dates we need to fly we will book and stay for 2 weeks -- so likely it will happen before any social security cancellation and things like that. Does it still seem like it's possible to use his miles - such that we won't have issues with Delta (because booking is no problem as we have all details for login)? Thank you.
Oct 3, 2020, 8:02 pm
#790
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,190
Be careful. If DL makes a schedule change you can likely switch from old flights to new flights for free. However, if passenger initiates the change and additional miles are required for the new flights these additional miles must come from the original account, not commingled with a different account. If you make the change by phone they might ask to speak to the account holder for authorization. Maybe better to wait until you know your dates for sure?
Oct 3, 2020, 9:33 pm
#791
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Programs: DL 1MM Platinum, UA 1k, HH Silver, BonVoy Platinum
Posts: 1,146
Good point - we will buy highest price tickets (miles) that the balance enables so we don't run into that issue. So sad inside though, hate thinking about all this...
Oct 4, 2020, 1:02 pm
#792
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,046
As long as you don't tell them hes dead they wont know. The suggestion on miles is moot. There's no verification password over the phone, just say you're him and you're done. Dont waste miles there's no point.
Oct 4, 2020, 2:01 pm
#793
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,677
Sorry to hear of your coming loss. Just because it happens to everyone, it doesn’t make it easier. Add one more vote for just making the booking via internet when you have the dates. I think it just becomes more complicated other ways.
Sep 2, 2021, 3:31 pm
#794
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Delta Diamond/1MM
Posts: 4,635
Any updates on what happens to Delta miles after one's passing? My father had some orphan miles (just redeemed some) but now just 6k left...
Sep 2, 2021, 3:38 pm
#795
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,190