Can airline miles be willed to someone?

Unfortunately, many of the biggest airlines have policies clearly stating that frequent flyer miles are not transferable upon death. Other airlines include vague statements and wording about the use of “sole discretion” as it pertains to decisions regarding the transference of accrued mileage credit to beneficiaries.



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Sole discretion usually means that a customer service representative is empowered to transfer airline miles after the death of a family member if your request is reasonable and respectfully made.

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Maybe you're just a few thousand points short of making an award booking and your spouse or significant other has the miles you need. Is it even possible? In general, yes you can transfer miles. But that doesn't mean you should.

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In most cases, the airline will be able to refund your loved one's account for the unused ticket since it's the result of a death.

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The airline will likely contact you to arrange for you to retrieve the personal effects of your loved one. The airline representatives might sound sincere, offer to make travel arrangements to the site of the crash and other details. In the process, the officials will likely ask to interview family members.

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Trip cancellation Reasons that are typically covered include: Sickness or death of a family member.

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Many airlines offer “bereavement fares” to immediate family members escorting a body on a plane and immediate family members attending a funeral with little advance notice. Generally, bereavement fares are a percentage off the normal ticket price, with discounts ranging from 5% to 25%, depending on the airline.

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Miles earned from flying expire after two years, but may be extended by taking another flight and crediting those miles to Flying Blue. Flights operated by Air France, KLM or partner airlines qualify. Miles expiration is also extended by two years when you make a purchase with an eligible co-branded credit card.

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Can You Buy Someone Else Airline Ticket? Yes, you can buy other people's flight tickets. When you purchase tickets through an online booking site or through a travel agent, make sure to enter the traveler's name and other details exactly as they appear on their ID or passport.

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Call 800-882-8880. Request “AAdvantage Account” at the Main Menu to have the mileage balance from a deceased member's account transferred to a beneficiary's account. You may need to complete an affidavit, indicating the account to which the miles should be transferred. A copy of the death certificate may be required.

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