Deceased Father and Skymiles Transfer
 

My father passed away a few years ago. He had some NWA miles which I saved by linking to a Delta account (around 9,000 miles). My mom would like to combine these miles with her account. Is this possible?

Will the miles be forfeit since it was originally under NWA?

What is the procedure and what documents are needed? Copy of death certificate okay or need original?

How long does it typically take to transfer the miles over in such a case?

As long as the NW account was still active and the miles hadn't expired it should be possible.

Contact DL and be prepared to provide them with a copy of the death certificate. Once they have a copy of the certificate it should be a matter of days for the miles to show up.

On page 25 of Delta'a 2010 Membership Guide

Upon the death of a Member, the Administrator or Executor of the Member’s Estate may designate one or more other Members to receive a transfer of the mileage credit in the deceased Member’s account. Only whole number amounts of miles may be transferred. The required form and other instructions for requesting a transfer of mileage under these circumstances is available on www.delta.com/skymilesaffidavit

I remember when my father passed in '02 filling one of those forms out.

I have a cousin who is the executor of her deceased boyfriend's estate, and she would like his Skymiles transferred to her SkyMiles account. He has no children, and his parents do not travel. She can provide the death certificate, and I assume she may have some kind of documentation where she is listed as the executor of his estate. He did not have a will. Think Delta will be okay with transferring his miles to her account? Is there a time limit for transferring miles from deceased Skymiles members? Thanks.

Change - SkyMiles transfer upon death policy program update
 

As of March 20, 2013, we have updated our policy with regard to transfer of miles upon the death of a member. Please see the SkyMiles Member Guide section regarding Restrictions on Transfer for more information.

Were people asking to transfer a fraction of a mile?

It is nice that DL may be willing to transfer miles from one account into several different accounts.

Is there any reinstatement fee for the miles DL claims expire upon the death of the member with an account?

Hey, just noticed the guide has not been updated online. I will let you know when it is available.

This is the update that would officially inform:

Delta will not allow transfer of miles upon death (Guessing, as DL posted that as a policy few weeks ago in a public statement on a newspaper article) My response plan is to live forever
*Sarcasm Warning*

Wow, I really hope they don't prevent miles to be transferred in case of death, think about how many miles we are sitting in and if I were to die tomorrow I would like to see my family get and use these miles as they were earned and paid for and NEVER expire. Make sure if you know you are going to die, to transfer your miles beforehand or make sure family has your password first.

Delta, this costs you nothing don't understand why this is necessary. Those miles could be used by family members for travel to my funeral, etc,

Mileage Transfer Policy Update
 

So what will happen to the miles when someone dies, they just vaporize?

Delta giveth and Delta taketh away.

One more chance to screw the customer.

DwayneSkyMiles, since the guide hasn't been updated online would you mind posting the text of the update here?

Thanks.

Maybe they were getting requests to split miles evenly into two or more other accounts, and the total amount didn't divide evenly.