What Happens to Your Points and Miles When You Die?
Author: Chris Hutchins
August 26, 2026
Duration: 54:38
#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-death/.
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Resources Mentioned
Tools & Resources
Points & Miles Death and Transfer Rules
Silo Markets
Trustworthy
Notion
1Password
Books & People
The Points Guy
Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life by Bill Perkins
ATH Podcast
#200: Debunking Tax Myths, Avoiding Audits and Maximizing Savings with Jasmine DiLucci
#285: Why Net Fulfillment Beats Net Worth with Bill Perkins
Hotel Upgrade Program
Best Cards Page
Gift Cards Page
Newsletter
AMA: Submit Questions
Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com
Full 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 Timeshare
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Editor’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.
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