Inheriting frequent flyer miles

Posted by George Hobica on Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Rules and procedures for the major airlines (airlines that automatically issue award tickets as soon as they are earned are not included). Despite what you read on the airlines' web sites, miles can be inherited, sometimes for a fee, often for free.

Airline	What the Web site says about transferring miles in general	Cost to transfer miles among the living	What the service center told us about inheriting miles (deceased to inheritor)	Documentation needed to process deceased's account
American	"Except as otherwise explained below, mileage credit is not transferable and may not be combined among AAdvantage members, their estates, successors and assigns. Accrued mileage credit and award certificates and award tickets do not constitute property of the member. Neither accrued mileage, award certificates or tickets are transferable by the member (i) upon death, (ii) as part of a domestic relations matter, or (iii) otherwise by operation of law. However, American Airlines, in its sole discretion, may credit accrued mileage to persons specifically identified in court approved divorce decrees and wills upon receipt of documentation satisfactory to American Airlines and upon payment of any applicable fees."	Transfer 1,000 to 5,000 miles for $50, up to 10,000 miles for $100, and up to 15,000 miles for $150. You'll also pay a $30 per transaction processing fee, and transfer a max of 60,000 miles per calendar year.	You actually can share miles, but it's not called "transferring." You can purchase miles to gift to another AAdvantage member, for the price at left. In the case of a death, the price is lower (see documentation at right).	American requires a copy of the pages of the will which identify the decedent's name, the executor's or personal representative's name, and a page showing the date of execution and signature of the maker. If the AAdvantage account is specifically mentioned, a copy of that page must be included as well. If the AAdvantage account has fewer than 10,000 miles, only proof of death is required; if more than 10,000 miles, you'll pay a transfer fee of $50.
Continental	"You can have only one OnePass account, which is established under your full first and last name (no initials, please). Only you may accrue mileage in your account. You may not transfer or combine mileage between your account and other OnePass accounts, including those of relatives."	Regular cost of a transfer: $15 for every 1,000 miles.	You actually can transfer miles to another member with a OnePass account. The cost is $15 for every 1,000 miles, with a minimum of 2500 miles, and a maximum of 100,000 miles. But in the case of a death, the transfer is free, with no minimum or maximum.	A copy of the death certificate and a letter from the executor authorizing the transfer of miles to the inheriting member.
Delta	"You can transfer 1,000 to 30,000 miles in increments of 1,000 miles. A maximum of 300,000 miles can be transferred into any individual SkyMiles account per calendar year. Up to 150,000 miles can be deducted from your account per calendar year. Transfer Miles transactions are nonrefundable and may take up to seven days to post to the recipient's account. "	$0.01 per mile, plus a $30 processing fee.	You can transfer the miles at no cost if you get the executor of the estate to fill out an affidavit and mail or fax it to the Delta service center. :	The affidavit (at left). If there's more than one heir, a letter from all the heirs is needed to assign the account to any one of them.
United	"Accrued mileage and certificates do not constitute property of the member. Neither accrued mileage nor certificates are transferable (i) upon death, (ii) as part of a domestic relations matter, or (iii) otherwise by operation of law."	15 cents per mile plus a $35.00 transaction fee. Transfer up to 60,000 miles.	You actually can transfer miles between the account of the deceased and a beneficiary. United charges a $75 flat fee, regardless of the number of miles. You'll need to call the service center, which will then send you a form to fill out, and ask that you provide documentation to start the process. There's no maximum number of miles you can transfer.	The form that the service center will send you, along with a death certificate and proof of beneficiary.
US Airways	"All outstanding mileage may be transferred to the estate of a member upon a member's death, after production of appropriate documentation such as a death certificate and proof of beneficiary within 6 months of the member's passing. Miles cannot be transferred if the deceased member's account has been inactive for more than 36 months at the time of the member's passing. Mileage may not be transferred to any other person except pursuant to these rules. "	1 cent per mile plus a $30 processing fee. 50,000 miles maximum per transaction	As long as you send a copy of the death certificate and will - or another document proving you're the beneficiary - within six months of the death, there's no maximum number of miles and no fee for transferring them. If you haven't sent the information within six months, the airline will work on a case-by-case basis.	Death certificate and proof of beneficiary

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Inheriting frequent flyer miles

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Posted by George Hobica on Tuesday, December 1, 2009

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Inheriting frequent flyer miles

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Inheriting frequent flyer miles

Posted by George Hobica on Tuesday, December 1, 2009

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