Even after you die, it is possible your frequent flyer miles and points could live on for your friends or family, depending on the airline.
Some have official methods for passing your points on to a relative in case of death, while others have stricter policies that don’t allow for any transfers whatsoever. A few companies also have pooling programs where you and your friends can automatically share points, so even if you die, your points and miles won't go to waste.
The easiest thing you can do, however, to give someone your points and miles after death is to make sure they have access to your username and password, according to travel advice website The Points Guy.
That way, your friend or relative can use your miles without formally letting the airline know, which often requires documentation and fees.
To see what some of the official policies are, here’s what seven major U.S. airlines have to say about transferring miles and points after someone dies.
American Airlines
According to American Airlines’ terms and conditions web page for its AAdvantage program, miles and credits “do not constitute property of the member.”
“Neither accrued mileage, nor award tickets, nor status, nor upgrades are transferable by the member (i) upon death, (ii) as part of a domestic relations matter, or (iii) otherwise by operation of law,” the website says.
The site does explain there are some exceptions, saying: “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.”
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles Membership has strict rules about transferring miles or points, according to its program rules.
“Miles are not the property of any Member,” Delta says on its rules website. “Except as specifically authorized in the Membership Guide and Program Rules or otherwise in writing by an officer of Delta, miles may not be sold, attached, seized, levied upon, pledged, or transferred under any circumstances, including, without limitation, by operation of law, upon death, or in connection with any domestic relations dispute and/or legal proceeding.”
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines has several ways miles can be transferred in its Frontier Miles Program, according to the program’s terms and conditions website.
Two or more members can link their accounts and earn points together through the company’s Family Pooling program -- so if your account is connected with someone else’s account (it can be a friend or relative), they can access your miles after you die automatically.