What to do when a Amex Rewards account holder dies
American Express has a formal process for transferring points after an account holder dies
American Express Estate Services
Phone1-800-266-7064
Timeline
Amex does not publish a fixed timeline or deadline for the one-time redemption. Points remain at risk from the moment the Linked Card Account is cancelled. For voluntary cancellations unrelated to death, points are forfeited immediately if no other Membership Rewards-enrolled card is open.
WebsiteSubmit claim online →
HoursMon-Fri, 8am-10pm ET
Verified Apr 2026
Under the Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions, points are not your property and cannot be transferred by operation of law, such as by inheritance, bankruptcy, or divorce. The Terms further state that if American Express cancels the Linked Card Account in the event of the cardmember's death, the executor or personal representative may request to use the points in the program account in a one-time redemption by calling American Express. Amex maintains a dedicated deceased-cardmember process and estate contact line at 1-800-266-7064.
How to request a transfer
To request a transfer of Amex Rewards points after an account holder's death, follow these steps:
1
Contact American Express Estate Services at 1-800-266-7064 (Mon-Fri, 8am-10pm ET) as the executor or personal representative. For Corporate Cards, use 1-888-297-3947.
2
Be prepared to provide documentation. Amex does not publish a full list on its own site, but at minimum expect to provide:
- •A copy of the death certificate
- •Documentation of your authority as executor or personal representative (for example, letters testamentary)
- •The cardmember's full legal name, date of death, and account information
3
Request a one-time redemption of Membership Rewards points. Per the Membership Rewards Terms, the executor or personal representative may request to use the points in a one-time redemption by calling American Express.
4
Discuss available redemption options with the representative. The Terms describe a "one-time redemption" but do not itemize which redemption types are available post-death; ask specifically about transfers to airline or hotel partner programs, statement credits, and gift cards.
5
Act promptly. Amex does not publish a deadline for the executor to make the one-time redemption request, and points are at risk once the Linked Card Account is cancelled. Do not assume indefinite availability.
6
Close or re-title the underlying Card Account as part of the same estate-services call. Closing the last Membership Rewards-enrolled card forfeits remaining points.
Required Documents
- Copy of the death certificate
- Executor or personal representative documentation (for example, letters testamentary)
- Cardmember's full name, date of death, and Card account information
Timeline
Amex does not publish a fixed timeline or deadline for the one-time redemption. Points remain at risk from the moment the Linked Card Account is cancelled. For voluntary cancellations unrelated to death, points are forfeited immediately if no other Membership Rewards-enrolled card is open.
Frequently asked questions
The executor or personal representative may request a one-time redemption by calling Amex at 1-800-266-7064. Points are explicitly "not your property" and cannot be inherited, but Amex makes this practical exception. The executor can request to transfer points to partner programs, redeem for gift cards, or use other available redemption options.
No. The Terms state: "Points can't be transferred by operation of law, such as by inheritance, in bankruptcy or in connection with a divorce." However, the executor can request a one-time redemption after the cardholder's death, which provides a practical (though not guaranteed) path to preserving value.
No, as long as you maintain at least one open, active Membership Rewards-enrolled card in good standing. If all MR-enrolled cards are closed, points are forfeited immediately (or within 30 days if you keep another MR card open).
The Terms state the executor may request to "use the points" in a "one-time redemption." While this implies all available redemption methods including partner transfers, it is not explicitly confirmed. The executor should ask about all options when calling 1-800-266-7064. Transferring to partner programs during the cardholder's lifetime remains the most reliable approach.
All points from Additional Card Member spending belong to the Basic Card Member's Program Account. When the primary cardholder dies, Additional Card Members have no independent claim to the points. The executor's one-time redemption covers all points in the account, regardless of who earned them.
After the transfer is complete, the recipient can use the points according to the program's standard terms. Document the deceased account holder's details to make this process easier for your executor or family.
American Express Estate Services
Phone1-800-266-7064
Timeline
Amex does not publish a fixed timeline or deadline for the one-time redemption. Points remain at risk from the moment the Linked Card Account is cancelled. For voluntary cancellations unrelated to death, points are forfeited immediately if no other Membership Rewards-enrolled card is open.
WebsiteSubmit claim online →
HoursMon-Fri, 8am-10pm ET
Verified Apr 2026