What Happens to Loyalty Points on Death?

Many people participate in loyalty programs. Their value can range from nominal to very significant. Well-known programs are available through:

• Credit cards
• Airlines
• Hotels
• Retail stores

Some loyalty programs simply offer discounts and have little or no value after a person passes away. Others can have a lot of value, particularly when points, miles or credits have accumulated over many years.

Where do points go when a member dies?

Each loyalty program has its own rules, so, it’s important to review the terms of any that hold significant value. In the fine print, you may find that:

• Some points expire, with all credits or points forfeited when a member dies. For example, the terms governing PC Optimum points state that an account is closed on a member’s death and any points are forfeited. Similarly, Canadian Tire rewards are cancelled on death.
• Transferring points may be possible with a letter by the executor (liquidator in Quebec) that confirms the member’s death and provides direction on where to transfer the points.
• Transferring points may require proof of death, typically in the form of a death certificate. For example, Blue Rewards (formerly Air Miles) permits the transfer of points to a beneficiary after submission of their required form along with proof of death.
• Transferring points may require proof from the relevant portion of the will, in addition to proof of death, as evidence of who is entitled to receive the points. For example, Marriott Bonvoy may request a copy of the will along with proof of death before transferring points.
• Time limits are important, with some programs allowing only a short period of time to complete the transfer. For example, WestJet points are automatically cancelled if they are not claimed within 12 months after the deceased member’s account is closed. That said, before taking steps to claim points, you should consult with your legal advisor.
• Fees may apply. While most programs that allow the transfer of points won’t charge for this service, some programs impose a fee to transfer points or rewards to a beneficiary.

Make sure your executor (liquidator) understands the following:

• In most cases, but not all, loyalty points do not have income tax consequences on death; that said, be sure to review each program’s potential impact with tax advisors.
• Taking steps to claim loyalty points may constitute acceptance of the executor (liquidator) role, so an individual may no longer be able to renounce their appointment.

What can you do as part of your estate planning?

Because some programs impose deadlines or documentation requirements, valuable points can be lost if they are not identified promptly after death. By addressing loyalty points as part of your estate plan, you can help preserve their value, provide clear direction to your executor/liquidator, and reduce the risk of confusion or disputes among beneficiaries.

As part of your estate planning, you may wish to:

• Review the terms of any loyalty program with significant value to determine what happens to the points on death.
• Record any information that might be required to identify, access or deal with these accounts, and keep that information alongside your other personal and estate planning documents.
• Consider including a provision in your will directing who is to receive the benefit of any loyalty points, miles, credits or rewards that remain on your death.

Fortunately, determining what happens to loyalty points on death is often straightforward. In many cases, a simple online search for the name of the loyalty program along with terms such as “death,” “estate” or “beneficiary” will identify the program’s policies and any required forms or documentation. However, it is important to review the program’s actual terms and conditions rather than relying solely on a search result or AI-generated answer, which may be incorrect or outdated. If the information is not readily available online, you can contact the loyalty program directly.

Loyalty points are often overlooked when preparing an estate plan. Taking the time to review the terms of your loyalty programs and document key information can help ensure that their value is preserved and distributed
according to your wishes

Keep in mind that loyalty program terms and conditions can change at any time. The examples above illustrate the types of rules that applied as of October 2026, but it’s essential to regularly review current terms and conditions, particularly for programs with significant value.

About the Author

Daniel Watts

Daniel Watts is a lawyer specializing in wills, estates, and trusts, and is the Director of Estate Planning within CI Assante’s Wealth Planning Group. Drawing on more than a decade in private practice—where he built deep expertise in estate planning, administration, and litigation—along with experience in the trust industry, he helps high-net-worth families navigate both simple and sophisticated estates. He is the Past President of the Estate Planning Council of Winnipeg and a former executive board member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).