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.

Claiming or transferring air miles from a deceased person's account is a process that varies by airline but generally involves providing legal documentation to the carrier's customer service or "Estate Matters" department. Most major airlines, such as American (AAdvantage) or United (MileagePlus), do not technically consider miles to be the personal property of the member, but they often have a compassionate policy that allows for the transfer of miles to a beneficiary. To begin, you will typically need a copy of the death certificate and a document identifying you as the Executor or Administrator of the estate. Some airlines may require you to complete a specific "Affidavit of Entitlement" or a formal transfer request form. Be aware that while some programs may waive transfer fees in these circumstances, others might still charge a nominal fee or require the miles to be used within a certain timeframe. It is best to contact the airline's frequent flyer service center directly via phone or a dedicated "Bereavement" support line to get the exact requirements for their specific program, as doing this through the standard website portals is often difficult.