What Happens to Your Points and Miles When You Die?

#292: What happens to your points and miles when you die? And how can you make sure they don’t disappear? Chris breaks down how major banks, airlines, and hotel programs handle rewards after death, strategies to protect or transfer your points, and the steps you can take now to make things easier for your family. Plus, learn what to do if you’re already dealing with a loved one’s rewards, why documenting your accounts and logins matters, and the surprising rules around gift cards, divorce, and timeshares.Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/points-and-miles-after-deathPartner DealsLMNT: ⁠Free sample pack of my favorite electrolyte drink mixHaven: ⁠Skip the waitlist for the best sauna⁠.Bilt Rewards: ⁠Earn the most valuable points when you pay rentCopilot Money: ⁠Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2DeleteMe: ⁠20% off removing your personal info from the webFor all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/dealsResources MentionedTools & ResourcesPoints & Miles Death and Transfer Rules PDFSilo MarketsTrustworthyNotion1PasswordBooks & PeopleThe Points GuyDie With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life by Bill PerkinsATH Podcast#200: Debunking Tax Myths, Avoiding Audits and Maximizing Savings with Jasmine DiLucci#285: Why Net Fulfillment Beats Net Worth with Bill PerkinsHotel Upgrade ProgramBest Cards PageGift Cards PageNewsletterAMA: Submit QuestionsLeave a review: Apple Podcasts | SpotifyEmail for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected] Show Notes(00:00) Introduction(01:16) Your Points & Miles Aren’t Actually Your Property(02:31) Can You Legally Access a Deceased Person's Accounts?(07:49) What Happens to Bank & Credit Card Points After Death(09:52) Why Amex Is One of the Most Generous Programs(14:00) Transferring Points Before Someone Passes Away(17:32) How Annual Fees Are Handled (18:01) What Happens to Business Cards(18:28) Moving Bank Points to Loyalty Programs (19:01) What Happens to Airline Miles(23:18) Why You Should Push Back With Airlines(24:22) Other Ways to Use or Preserve Airline Miles(25:59) How Hotel Points Are Handled (and Why They're Easier)(31:36) Hotel Certificates & Flight Credits (32:50) What Happens to Rental Car Points(34:04) Don't Hoard Your Points(34:21) Document Every Account and Login(37:26) Set Up Points Pooling and Authorized Users in Advance (37:52) Leave Clear Instructions for Your Heirs(38:12) Why You Need a Financial Power of Attorney (38:46) Don't Let Auto-Pays Shut Down an Account(39:17) Proactively Transfer Points Out (39:55) Where to Move Bank Points in a Hurry(45:40) Choosing Someone to Manage Your Points & Miles(47:09) The Checklist for When a Family Member Passes(48:30) Hang Up, Call Again(50:04) Document Everything You Do(50:39) How Points Are Handled in Divorce(51:40) Why Gift Cards Are Different(51:59) The Risks of Inheriting a TimeshareConnect with Chris⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.