Estate planning as a Best Western Rewards account holder

Best Western Rewards is the loyalty program for Best Western Hotels & Resorts, covering over 4,700 hotels across 18 brands including Best Western, Best Western Plus, Best Western Premier, SureStay, Aiden, and WorldHotels. Best Western has a relatively estate-friendly policy: the terms allow a one-time, full point balance transfer to a designated beneficiary at BWI's discretion upon receipt of required documentation.

When a Best Western Rewards account holder dies, their points may be transferred to a designated person at Best Western International's sole discretion. A transfer is not guaranteed, and satisfactory documentation is required before processing any request.

Members can transfer points to other Best Western Rewards participants while their account is active. Fees generally apply, but this is the most direct way to move points to family members.

What happens at death

Per the Best Western Rewards Terms and Conditions: "In the event of a Member's death, and at BWI's discretion, we will allow a one-time, full point balance to be transferred to the designated beneficiary upon receipt of the required documentation." The transfer is the full balance in a single transaction at BWI's discretion. The recipient must be an active Best Western Rewards member. The TOS also provides for incapacitation: "in the event of a Member's incapacitation, and at BWI's discretion, Best Western will allow a one-time full point balance to be transferred to the designated Member with the required documentation or for the name on an Account to be changed." Elite status may transfer upon death or incapacitation, but VIP Membership Status benefits do not transfer.

Frequently asked questions