American Express Points....do they die with you?

GrayFal · Apr 29, 2011

Hopefully someone will know this answer.

We lost a dear friend recently.

If the account is closed, will those points be lost? TIA.....

MRSFUSSY · Apr 29, 2011

???????

why would you ask a question like that, just do it. who is to know? :shrug:

GrayFal · Apr 29, 2011

MRSFUSSY said:
why would you ask a question like that, just do it. who is to know?

I ask here because sadly many on this board have lost a spouse and would have had to deal with this situation.

My friends first instinct was to close the account but then you would definitely lose the points - they are associated with the account.

I know with Marriott Reward Points, if you die, the points do not go to your surviving spouse/estate.

I do not have AMEX myself - so that is why I asked.

Do AMEX points die with you - or can they go to the estate?

Talent312 · Apr 29, 2011

If someone has access to the account online, they can do just about anything with the account that they want, without having to impersonate the deceased to anyone other than the computers.

But once Am-Ex is formally notified of the account-holder's death, it will be closed. I'd certainly want read up on "the rules" governing the points program to see if they accrue to his estate and are subject to distribution, or if they terminate upon death.

GrayFal · Apr 29, 2011

Thanks for the info.

MichaelColey · Apr 29, 2011

You might also check on the AmEx forum at FlyerTalk to see if there's a thread about this. I would be surprised if there isn't one.

GrayFal · Apr 29, 2011

MichaelColey said:
You might also check on the AmEx forum at FlyerTalk to see if there's a thread about this. I would be surprised if there isn't one.

I am not active on that board but a friend did direct me there - which is why I edited my first post :ignore: ...Thanks.

MichaelColey · Apr 29, 2011

If you do find the answer, you might want to post what you find for anyone who searches and finds this thread or those of us whose curiosities you piqued.

GrayFal · Apr 29, 2011

Will do.

am1 · Apr 29, 2011

I am sure they do. Amex cancelled my card a few years ago and kept the $500 in cashback I had earned because it is only paid out annually.

I am sure they will do what they can to take advantage of people who are no longer customers.

glypnirsgirl · Apr 29, 2011

American Express, like most creditors, is a subscriber to "Universal Flash Service" - they will be notified within 30 days of the cardholders death. Accounts are closed automatically upon notice of the death if they are not joint accounts. Which does not answer your question, I just think that people should be aware that this routinely occurs.

elaine

GrayFal · Apr 29, 2011

glypnirsgirl said:
American Express, like most creditors, is a subscriber to "Universal Flash Service" - they will be notified within 30 days of the cardholders death. Accounts are closed automatically upon notice of the death if they are not joint accounts. Which does not answer your question, I just think that people should be aware that this routinely occurs.

elaine

Thank you - this is a business accaount with multiple card holders.

And yes, it is REALLY good to know.

caribbeansun · Apr 30, 2011

That adds an entirely different dimension to the situation depending on whether or not the business was incorporated or not.

For an entirely different reason the primary card holder of an Amex account had his card canceled related to his incorporated company. Strangely all of the secondary cards remain active to this day and continue to accumulate points which are used by the business for business travel, etc.

I would also point you to Flyertalk where you will get better and deeper answers to your question.

GrayFal said:
Thank you - this is a business accaount with multiple card holders.

And yes, it is REALLY good to know.

equitax · Apr 30, 2011

Amex

Mr terms and conditions are here.

http://www.membershiprewards.com/catalog/splashtemplates/TermsSplash.aspx

If the card is cancelled the points are fofeited. Including closed for death.

If this is a corporate card ( and this very different than a business card) the closure probably won't happen automatically.

If there is another cardholder on a business account it may be possible to transfer primary responsibility to avoid forfeit. I am not sure but have seen this with some cdn airline programs.

The key is that forfeit happens when tge account is closed, so use and or transfer points before acct is closed is the prudent thing.

I would call Amex as new account inquiry and ask what if to find out what the story is. R

GrayFal said:
Hopefully someone will know this answer.

We lost a dear friend recently.

If the account is closed, will those points be lost? TIA.....

American Express Points....do they die with you?

GrayFal

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MRSFUSSY

GrayFal

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