Now that I've got well over 1,500,000 (if LP comes through)miles does anyone know the ramifications if I should die? Are these miles or points (if transfered to hotel programs) able to be willed and if so do they become taxable?

The answer doesn't really matter because I win either way - use the miles or give them to someone I love but I would like to know which I should do.

Thanks FTer's

DR

From the few articles I have read, technically they do not pass with your passing, they vanish. However, in some (many? most?) cases I have heard of airlines putting them in the spouses account. I have not heard of them going any other place than spouse. I have yet to hear of a case where they were specifically willed to an individual and then were provided to that individual by the airline. I have heard nothing at all about hotel points. I think this is an interesting issue and look forward to what information others can pass on. As I am single (though young) and have huge reserves of points and miles it would be great that if I died suddenly I could leave them to someone.

I can't speak for other airlines, but Delta does allow them to be passed to the surviving spouse's account.

That is interesting because if the estate calls for a % distribution and the spouse is the only one who can receive miles/points then it could get tricky. I do understand that the programs have no way of knowing you've died but I would be nice to do it legitimate.

A related thread over on FlyerTalk Community:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/000586.html

DrTravels, first thanks for the tips on the AA cereal you sent in email!. I agree the airlines don't know if you're dead or not, but if they don't know your dead they certainly aren't going to be transferring any miles out of your account to any one elses! It is possible to get awards on some airlines without identifying yourself so the whole death issue could be sidestepped in many cases; however, you couldn't manage an outright transfer.

Oops, sorry gang - I limited my search and didn't see the other link.

I may not be bright but I learn quickly

Because you just want to know your rights and you are not trying to pull anything, I suggest you write a letter so you can get a written response.

I would suggest you lay out each type case you are interested in and then see how complete a response you get. Follow up as necessary.

You have a valuable asset. You need to plan for its future as you would with your money or other valuables.

You are smart to start checking now. Maybe some of the rest of us could use a similar research project. Please let us know what you find out.

I remember that some airlines require you to specifically mention your airlines miles to get them to pass to another.

As some have said, it is often possible to "use" mileage of a person who "has passed" but I not sure how "legal, moral or withing the airline rules" this may be.

I believe it is always best to be incompliance at all times.

Good luck, or maybe this preplanning eliminates the need for luck!!!!

thanks ranles,

I'll do some checking

I really didn't know about the other link - I'm the executor of my parent's estate (what a job) and was thinking about these miles/points while I was mowing the lawn.

P.S. any FTer's out in the Seatle area let me know - we'll go out sailing. Sorry - I'll be in LHR Sept29-Oct1.

Cheers

DR

That would be a nasty scene at the funeral to have the heirs fighting over the who gets the miles.
Better to WILL them to your favorite nephew or love.

I haven't seen a post, that anyone but the spouse has gotten the miles. I can add this: When my father passed away Delta transferred his miles to my account. Have no idea if this is policy. I asked, they did it. Be aware this was in 1989 back when Delta was a proud airline known for (no laughing please...) service.

When my grandmother died, in 1992, I was the executor of the estate and a beneficiary. She had 37000 Delta miles (old plan). I asked if I could get them transferred to my account. They said, "Sure," and it was done. But, as you say, that was in Delta's good old days. Today they would say, "Our customers have requested that these miles disappear on death!"

Bruce

We tried to get miles transfered after my mother's death and was told it wasn't possible. She had, however, received some of miles upon my father's death. (I believe this was United, but it's been 3 years and I can't recall.)
In years prior, they gifted us with flights or overseas upgrades --that took care of some of the miles that were piling up.

Here is another related thread on this topic from The Buzz:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000070.html

[This message has been edited by MRLIMO (edited 09-15-2000).]

My father passed away in 1998, and there are five of us kids. My oldest sister was made executor of his estate and out of five kids I am the only known mileage fanatic. My father had 43,000 miles with TWA, so I called them and asked if the miles could be transferred to my account.

The rep said as long as my sister sent a letter stating that she wanted his miles to go to me, and also enclose a copy of his death certificate, than they would be more than willing to do it. And they did.