Airline Rewards After a Death: A Guide for Cancelling or Transferring in the United States

Losing a loved one is an emotionally challenging experience, and amidst the grief, there are practical matters to attend to, including managing their affairs, including any accumulated airline rewards. If your loved one had accrued airline rewards in the United States, it's essential to understand how to handle them properly to prevent any unnecessary fees and ensure that their benefits are managed appropriately.

In this extensive guide, we'll walk you through the specific steps for canceling or transferring airline rewards with major airlines in the United States, providing comprehensive information to navigate this process smoothly during a difficult time.

Understanding Airline Rewards Programs

Airline rewards programs, such as frequent flyer miles or points, are valuable assets that can be used to book flights, upgrades, and other travel-related benefits. However, when a member passes away, their rewards may need to be canceled or transferred to prevent them from going to waste. Each airline has its policies and procedures regarding the management of rewards after a member's death, so it's essential to understand the specific steps for each program.

American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines' AAdvantage program is one of the largest and most popular airline rewards programs in the United States. Here's how to handle AAdvantage rewards after a loved one's passing:

Cancellation: To cancel American Airlines AAdvantage rewards after a death, the executor or next of kin should contact AAdvantage Customer Service at 1-800-882-8880. Inform them of the member's passing and request to cancel the rewards account. Be prepared to provide the deceased member's full name, AAdvantage account number, and date of death. Follow any instructions provided by AAdvantage Customer Service and request confirmation of the cancellation.

Transfer: Unfortunately, American Airlines AAdvantage does not allow for the transfer of rewards to another individual after a member's death. Any remaining rewards will be forfeited upon cancellation.

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles program offers rewards for frequent flyers. Here's what to do with SkyMiles rewards after a loved one's passing:

Cancellation: To cancel Delta Air Lines SkyMiles rewards after a death, the executor or next of kin should contact SkyMiles Customer Service at 1-800-323-2323. Inform them of the member's passing and request to cancel the rewards account. Provide the deceased member's full name, SkyMiles account number, and date of death. Follow any instructions provided by SkyMiles Customer Service and request confirmation of the cancellation.

Transfer: Delta Air Lines SkyMiles allows for the transfer of miles to another individual in the event of a member's death. Contact SkyMiles Customer Service for assistance and follow their specific instructions to initiate the transfer process.

United Airlines MileagePlus

United Airlines' MileagePlus program is another popular airline rewards program in the United States. Here's how to manage MileagePlus rewards after a loved one's passing:

Cancellation: To cancel United Airlines MileagePlus rewards after a death, the executor or next of kin should contact MileagePlus Customer Service at 1-800-421-4655. Inform them of the member's passing and request to cancel the rewards account. Provide the deceased member's full name, MileagePlus account number, and date of death. Follow any instructions provided by MileagePlus Customer Service and request confirmation of the cancellation.

Transfer: United Airlines MileagePlus allows for the transfer of miles to another individual in the event of a member's death. Contact MileagePlus Customer Service for assistance and follow their specific instructions to initiate the transfer process.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards

Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards program offers rewards for frequent flyers. Here's what to do with Rapid Rewards points after a loved one's passing:

Cancellation: To cancel Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points after a death, the executor or next of kin should contact Rapid Rewards Customer Service at 1-800-445-5764. Inform them of the member's passing and request to cancel the rewards account. Provide the deceased member's full name, Rapid Rewards account number, and date of death. Follow any instructions provided by Rapid Rewards Customer Service and request confirmation of the cancellation.

Transfer: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards allows for the transfer of points to another individual in the event of a member's death. Contact Rapid Rewards Customer Service for assistance and follow their specific instructions to initiate the transfer process.

JetBlue TrueBlue

JetBlue's TrueBlue program offers rewards for frequent flyers. Here's what to do with TrueBlue points after a loved one's passing:

Cancellation: To cancel JetBlue TrueBlue points after a death, the executor or next of kin should contact TrueBlue Customer Service at 1-800-538-2583. Inform them of the member's passing and request to cancel the rewards account. Provide the deceased member's full name, TrueBlue account number, and date of death. Follow any instructions provided by TrueBlue Customer Service and request confirmation of the cancellation.

Transfer: JetBlue TrueBlue does not have a specific policy for transferring points to another individual after a member's death. Any remaining points may be forfeited upon cancellation.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan program offers rewards for frequent flyers. Here's what to do with Mileage Plan miles after a loved one's passing:

Cancellation: To cancel Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles after a death, the executor or next of kin should contact Mileage Plan Customer Service at 1-800-252-7522. Inform them of the member's passing and request to cancel the rewards account. Provide the deceased member's full name, Mileage Plan account number, and date of death. Follow any instructions provided by Mileage Plan Customer Service and request confirmation of the cancellation.

Transfer: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan allows for the transfer of miles to another individual in the event of a member's death. Contact Mileage Plan Customer Service for assistance and follow their specific instructions to initiate the transfer process.

Hawaiian Airlines

Cancellation: Contact Hawaiian Airlines Customer Service at 1-800-367-5320. Provide the deceased member's full name, rewards account number, and date of death. Follow instructions provided by Hawaiian Airlines Customer Service and request confirmation.

Transfer: Hawaiian Airlines may have limited options for transferring rewards. Contact Customer Service for specific procedures.

Spirit Airlines

Cancellation: Contact Spirit Airlines Customer Service at 1-801-401-2222. Provide necessary information and follow instructions provided by Customer Service. Request confirmation.

Transfer: Spirit Airlines may not allow transfers after a member's death. Inquire with Customer Service for details.

Frontier Airlines

Cancellation: Contact Frontier Airlines Customer Service at 1-801-401-9000. Provide required information and follow instructions. Request confirmation.

Transfer: Frontier Airlines may have limited transfer options. Contact Customer Service for more information.

Allegiant Air

Cancellation: Contact Allegiant Air Customer Service at 1-702-505-8888. Provide necessary information and follow instructions. Request confirmation.

Transfer: Allegiant Air may not allow transfers after a member's death. Inquire with Customer Service for details.

Sun Country Airlines

Cancellation: Contact Sun Country Airlines Customer Service at 1-800-359-6786. Provide necessary information and follow instructions. Request confirmation.

Transfer: Sun Country Airlines may have limited options for transferring rewards after a member's death. Inquire with Customer Service for details.

General Steps for Cancelling or Transferring Rewards

Regardless of the airline, here are some general steps to follow when canceling or transferring rewards after a loved one's passing:

Gather Necessary Information: Collect all relevant information, including the deceased member's full name, rewards account number, and date of death.

Contact Customer Service: Reach out to the airline's customer service department via phone or email. Provide them with the necessary information and inform them of the member's passing.

Follow Instructions: Follow any instructions provided by the customer service representative. They may ask for additional documentation, such as a death certificate, to process the cancellation or transfer.

Request Confirmation: After completing the cancellation or transfer process, request confirmation from the airline. This documentation will serve as proof that the rewards account has been managed accordingly.

Monitor Account Activity: Keep an eye on the rewards account to ensure that the cancellation or transfer is processed correctly. Contact customer service if you encounter any issues or discrepancies.

Managing airline rewards after a loved one's passing requires careful attention to detail and communication with the respective airlines' customer service teams. By following the specific steps outlined for each airline and providing the necessary documentation, you can ensure that the rewards are canceled or transferred in accordance with the airline's policies.

While navigating this process can be challenging, taking proactive steps to address the rewards will help alleviate any additional stress during this difficult time. Remember to reach out to the airlines as soon as possible to avoid any potential complications and ensure a smooth resolution.