What happens to Chase UR points when the owner dies
JPMorgan Chase has a formal process for transferring points after an account holder dies
Chase Estate Services (Retail and Card Accounts)
Chase publishes no timeline for estate processing. It states only that "required documents may vary by account and state requirements and may impact settlement time." The points-to-statement-credit conversion is tied to the death notification rather than to a waiting period: the Rewards Program Agreement provides that the points "will be automatically redeemed" if Chase is notified of the death. For an account closed for a reason other than death, the agreement gives "at least 30 days from the date your account is closed to use your points," after which unused points are lost "unless limited or prohibited by law, in which case your unused points will be automatically redeemed for cash in the form of an account statement credit."
JPMorgan Chase allows Chase UR points to be transferred to the estate or heirs when an account holder dies.
How to request a transfer
To request a transfer of Chase UR points after an account holder's death, follow these steps:
- •Online: the "Notify us online" form linked from chase.com/personal/estate-services (secure.chase.com/web/oao/application/retail?productCode=DEC&subProductCode=CDN&cfgCode=DECCDN)
- •Phone: Chase Estate Services at 1-866-926-6909, Monday to Friday 8 AM to 7 PM ET. Chase notes it accepts operator relay calls
- •In person: schedule a meeting at a Chase branch
- •Death certificate
- •Proof of your identification — passport, driver's license, or a valid state-issued ID card
- •Your relationship to the deceased
- •The deceased person's Social Security number and/or account number
- •"Documentation showing authority, such as Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary, can be provided by the probate court."
- •Chase also accepts a non-probate route: "Documentation showing authority also includes declarations or affidavits effectuating the transfer of the estate assets without probate" — so a small estate affidavit may be enough where the state allows it.
- •On copies: "You can provide a legible photocopy; however, depending on the circumstances, we may require a certified copy."
Required Documents
- Death certificate (a legible photocopy may be accepted; Chase may require a certified copy)
- Proof of your identification — passport, driver's license, or valid state-issued ID card
- Your relationship to the deceased
- The deceased person's Social Security number and/or account number
- Documentation showing authority to receive account information — Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court, or a declaration or affidavit effectuating transfer of the estate's assets without probate
Timeline
Chase publishes no timeline for estate processing. It states only that "required documents may vary by account and state requirements and may impact settlement time." The points-to-statement-credit conversion is tied to the death notification rather than to a waiting period: the Rewards Program Agreement provides that the points "will be automatically redeemed" if Chase is notified of the death. For an account closed for a reason other than death, the agreement gives "at least 30 days from the date your account is closed to use your points," after which unused points are lost "unless limited or prohibited by law, in which case your unused points will be automatically redeemed for cash in the form of an account statement credit."
Frequently asked questions
They are converted to cash, not forfeited. The Rewards Program Agreement provides: "If we're notified of your death, your points will be automatically redeemed for cash in the form of an account statement credit." The agreement sets the rate at one cent per point ("each point is worth $.01 (one cent), which means that 100 points equals $1 in redemption value"). The credit is applied to the card account — "account statement credits will reduce your account balance" — so it reduces what the estate owes. Where the credit is larger than the balance owed, it leaves a credit balance the estate should ask Chase Estate Services to refund. The conversion is automatic on notification; the estate cannot choose a different redemption method.
No. The agreement states: "Unless required by law, points aren't your property. Points have no value until redeemed. You can't transfer or move points unless expressly provided for in this agreement. Additionally, points can't be transferred by operation of law, such as by inheritance, in bankruptcy or in connection with a divorce." The points themselves do not pass to anyone. What reaches the estate is their cash value, through the automatic statement-credit conversion — which is why Chase is more estate-friendly than programs that simply forfeit a balance at death.
No, but the executor does have to notify Chase. The conversion is triggered by the notification itself — the agreement says the points "will be automatically redeemed" if Chase is notified of the death — so no separate redemption request is needed. Nothing happens, though, until Chase learns of the death. Notification goes through the online form at chase.com/personal/estate-services, Chase Estate Services at 1-866-926-6909 (Monday to Friday 8 AM to 7 PM ET), or a branch appointment; Chase says a single notification is shared across the bank.
Yes, in circumstances other than death. The agreement provides that points do not expire while the account is open, but that "you'll immediately lose all your points if your account status changes, or your account is closed, for misuse, fraud," for failing to comply with other Chase agreements, where Chase believes the cardholder "may be unwilling or unable to pay [their] debts on time, including filing for bankruptcy," or for fraudulent activity — and Chase "won't reinstate points you lose unless we've made an error." An account closed for one of those reasons before Chase is notified of the death does not reach the statement-credit conversion, which is why an executor should notify Chase promptly and keep the account from going delinquent.
Chase says it may request a death certificate, proof of your identification (passport, driver's license, or valid state-issued ID), your relationship to the deceased, and the deceased's Social Security number and/or account number. Anyone can notify Chase "regardless of relationship," but account information goes only to a party with authority — Chase names the executor or administrator, an attorney acting for the estate or executor, or a personal representative. Authority is shown with Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court, and Chase also accepts "declarations or affidavits effectuating the transfer of the estate assets without probate," so a small estate affidavit may suffice where a state allows one. A legible photocopy may be accepted, though Chase may require a certified copy.
The recipient can use transferred points under the program's normal terms. Keeping the deceased account holder's account number and contact details on file simplifies this process for the executor or surviving family.
Sources
Data sourced from JPMorgan Chase primary sources (9 pages reviewed). How we research.
Chase Estate Services (Retail and Card Accounts)
Chase publishes no timeline for estate processing. It states only that "required documents may vary by account and state requirements and may impact settlement time." The points-to-statement-credit conversion is tied to the death notification rather than to a waiting period: the Rewards Program Agreement provides that the points "will be automatically redeemed" if Chase is notified of the death. For an account closed for a reason other than death, the agreement gives "at least 30 days from the date your account is closed to use your points," after which unused points are lost "unless limited or prohibited by law, in which case your unused points will be automatically redeemed for cash in the form of an account statement credit."
