Under the official 2026 terms and conditions of IHG One Rewards, points are generally considered non-transferable and are technically forfeited upon the death of the member. However, IHG often exercises "discretionary goodwill" to assist grieving families. To attempt a transfer, the executor or a direct heir must contact IHG customer service and provide a certified death certificate along with documentation proving their legal right to the deceased's estate (such as a Will or Letters Testamentary). If approved, IHG can transfer the balance to the heir’s own IHG One Rewards account. In 2026, it is highly recommended that users set up "Points Pooling" while still living, as this allows multiple members (often in the same household) to share a common balance, ensuring that surviving family members retain access to the points without having to navigate the legal complexities of a post-mortem transfer. If no action is taken, the account is usually closed and the points cleared after 12 months of inactivity.