Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > Delta Air Lines | SkyMiles
Reload this Page >

What to do with miles when someone dies... ? (Definitive Thread)

What to do with miles when someone dies... ? (Definitive Thread)

Old Jun 29, 2022, 9:34 pm
  #856  
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: MCO
Programs: AA,DL,F9,UA,WN
Posts: 576
Originally Posted by cfabar1
Can you use the person’s account to book flights for the living person? Even if the deceased individual is not flying?
Yes, as long as you have online access to the account.
SUPERTRAVEL is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2023, 12:59 am
  #857  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,429
Is still the latest to not ask Delta or have there been any recent reports of successfully transferring to a spouse at the same mailing address?

Any datapoints on if we can close the DL AMEX account via the death process or should I try to close via secure message or calling in without noting the death? Previous datapoints said AMEX notified Delta of the death.
johndoe123 is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2023, 4:36 am
  #858  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,105
Originally Posted by johndoe123
Is still the latest to not ask Delta or have there been any recent reports of successfully transferring to a spouse at the same mailing address?

Any datapoints on if we can close the DL AMEX account via the death process or should I try to close via secure message or calling in without noting the death? Previous datapoints said AMEX notified Delta of the death.
Use up all the miles before notifying DL or Amex. I would pay off the Amex bill and not use the card before notifying them to avoid losing all the miles.
dmarge18 likes this.
sydneyracquelle is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2023, 8:15 am
  #859  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,891
Originally Posted by sydneyracquelle
Use up all the miles before notifying DL or Amex. I would pay off the Amex bill and not use the card before notifying them to avoid losing all the miles.
Sorry for your loss. So many things to deal with on top of the grief.

Can you transfer points to your own airline account via online transfer if logged into the Amex account? For example, I can transfer points to my spouse’s delta account. If not, then I think I’d transfer to account owners airline account and simply close the card via chat without providing a reason other than simply don’t want it anymore.
Stgermainparis is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2023, 8:20 am
  #860  
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM 0P, AA, DL, *wood, Lifetime FPC Plat., IHG, HHD
Posts: 6,906
Originally Posted by Stgermainparis
Sorry for your loss. So many things to deal with on top of the grief.

Can you transfer points to your own airline account via online transfer if logged into the Amex account? For example, I can transfer points to my spouse’s delta account. If not, then I think I’d transfer to account owners airline account and simply close the card via chat without providing a reason other than simply don’t want it anymore.
For AMEX, be slightly cautious about how many accounts or how many transactions you do. I had to move 1.5M AMEX MP points last year, and once I had added three siblings Delta, BA and HI accounts and started moving miles two moves in we got locked out of additional moves and had to go through a fraud protection process with AMEX on the phone. Fortunately, there was another authorized USER on the account who was able to release the fraud control and we could continue to move miles.
nmenaker is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2023, 10:37 am
  #861  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,229
Are you talking about Delta Sky Miles or Amex points? Two different things. Delta (according to the T & C's) consider the miles to be Delta's until they are used. If someone passes away, Delta feels the miles are theirs and they won't transfer them to anyone else. If you have access to the delta.com account, you should be able to use the miles without any issues. Just don't tell Delta the person is deceased. If you are talking about Amex points, that is different. One way or the other, if you cancel the Amex card, Amex will not contact Delta to advise them of the death. My wife passed away 2 1/2 years ago. I cancelled her Amex and continued to use her Delta miles until they were depleted.
Mr. Tickets is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2023, 10:43 am
  #862  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Hilton Contributor Badge
 
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: 26,957
Originally Posted by Mr. Tickets
Are you talking about Delta Sky Miles or Amex points? Two different things. Delta (according to the T & C's) consider the miles to be Delta's until they are used. If someone passes away, Delta feels the miles are theirs and they won't transfer them to anyone else. If you have access to the delta.com account, you should be able to use the miles without any issues. Just don't tell Delta the person is deceased. If you are talking about Amex points, that is different. One way or the other, if you cancel the Amex card, Amex will not contact Delta to advise them of the death. My wife passed away 2 1/2 years ago. I cancelled her Amex and continued to use her Delta miles until they were depleted.
All airlines consider miles theirs. If they did otherwise they would invite taxing to be involved. (Plus other legal/accounting issues)

As for AMEX. There's been rumors, but AFAIK nothing proven. I highly doubt they would notify DL. Banks have significant restrictions on what information they can share, especially with outside non-financial businesses.
Mr. Tickets likes this.
flyerCO is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.