Transferring miles upon death
 

Hello - I am new here and hope someone can answer a question for me. I have successfully transfered miles to my account from my husband's with two airlines but one will not do it. Can I book a flight against his account? A friend (whose husband is not dead) said that she books flights all the time using her husband's frequent flyer account.

Yes you can do that as long as you have the PIN or password to the account. And in most instances, reward travel can be done online, so you wouldn't even need to deal with the airline over the phone if you have the account number and PIN.

Hope this helps!

Please tell us which airline wouldn't do the transfer.

Thanks.

I fibbed just a little bit in the fact that NW will allow you to transfer 10,000 miles in three segments to family or friends. You may receive individually a maximum of 10,000 a year. The charge is $25 plus a per mile charge. Alaska and Continental transferred at no charge and all they required was a copy of a death certificate and/or copy of beneficiary page of a will. American charges but in their case I gave the miles to their "sick kids" program rather than pay the fee. US Airways has never even bothered answering my e-mail. None of them involve a large amount of miles (over 50,000). A question for CAB747 - I do have a number and pin but if I arrange a ticket on the web will it register in that name? Sure don't want to have a different name on my ticket.

I certainly wouldn't spend any money for transferring miles if you have enough miles in an account for a free ticket.

To answer your question, even though the account maybe in someone else's name, when the miles get redeemed for somebody, you will have to enter in the passenger's first and last names, just as if you were to buy a ticket. So you shouldn't have to worry about it being in the account holders name, you designate who the traveller is.

Thank you cab747 - I will do that.

Email me if you have anymore questions. I will do my best to try to help. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Louise,
I just wanted to offer my condolences in the loss of your husband. I hope you hold on to many precious memories and that travel will open new horizons to you as you heal.
God bless.
pilgrim