Don’t Forget the Reward Points

Many individuals accrue reward points through credit card, hotel, and airline programs, such as frequent flier miles. These accounts should be added to the list cataloging one’s digital assets, and who gets the points after the program member’s death should be included in the person’s will.

Even though many airlines have written policies that clearly state miles cannot be transferred at death, exceptions are sometimes made. Both United and Delta allow for some flexibility in applying the transfer policy, and may allow transfer of miles after death or divorce. The take away here is that it does not hurt to politely ask even if the rewards program has a clear prohibition on transfer.

See Deborah L. Jacobs, Loyalty Program Rules Aren’t Ironclad, New York Times, May 6, 2015.