What to do when a SkyMiles account holder dies
Delta Air Lines miles are forfeited under the program's terms when the account is closed
OverviewWhen someone dies
SkyMiles Customer Service
Phone1-800-323-2323
Timeline
Account closure is typically processed within a few business days of notification. There is no transfer process, so no extended timeline applies. If booking award flights with the deceased's miles before notification, act promptly.
WebsiteFile estate claim→
Hours24/7
(General customer service)
Verified May 2026
Delta Air Lines's terms state that miles are not the property of the account holder and are forfeited at death. The program does not provide a mechanism for transferring miles to heirs.
Families have occasionally received goodwill accommodations from Delta Air Lines, but these are not part of the published terms and cannot be relied upon.
What to do
If a SkyMiles account holder has passed away, here is what to do:
1
Understand that under current SkyMiles Program Rules (delta.com/us/en/skymiles/program-resources/program-rules), miles are forfeited at death. Delta has discontinued the Affidavit and Release transfer process. Miles cannot be inherited, transferred to another member, or recovered by the estate.
2
If the executor has the deceased member's login credentials, consider using the account to book award flights for family members before notifying Delta of the death. SkyMiles can be used to book award travel for any passenger:
- •Log in at delta.com or the Fly Delta app
- •Book award flights for family members by entering their names as passengers
- •There are no blackout dates on Delta-operated flights
- •The passenger does not need to be a SkyMiles member
3
Contact Delta SkyMiles customer service at 1-800-323-2323 (24/7) to report the death. Provide the member's SkyMiles number and a death certificate if requested. The account will be closed and remaining miles forfeited.
4
If the deceased held Medallion elite status, be aware that status and associated benefits (upgrades, Sky Club access, fee waivers) terminate immediately upon account closure.
5
Check whether the deceased had any active award flight bookings. Unused award tickets can be cancelled and the miles returned to the account -- but only if the account is still active. Once the account is closed, unflown award tickets and associated miles are lost.
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate (if Delta requests it for account closure)
- Deceased member's SkyMiles account number
Timeline
Account closure is typically processed within a few business days of notification. There is no transfer process, so no extended timeline applies. If booking award flights with the deceased's miles before notification, act promptly.
Frequently asked questions
No. SkyMiles do not expire as long as the account is active and in good standing. Delta eliminated mileage expiration on January 1, 2011. However, miles are forfeited if Delta closes the account for program rule violations, if the member closes the account voluntarily, or upon the member's death.
No. Under the current SkyMiles Membership Guide and Program Rules, miles are forfeited upon the member's death. Delta previously had an Affidavit and Release process for death transfers, but this has been discontinued. The program rules state miles "may not be sold, attached, seized, levied upon, pledged, or transferred under any circumstances, including, without limitation, by operation of law, upon death."
No. The SkyMiles Program Rules state: "Miles are not the property of any Member." They cannot be inherited, transferred by court order, or distributed as part of an estate. Miles have no cash value and exist only as program credits that Delta can revoke at its discretion.
No. Delta SkyMiles does not support beneficiary designations. There is no mechanism to assign miles to a specific person upon death. The only way to ensure family members benefit from your miles is to use them during your lifetime.
Since SkyMiles are forfeited at death with no transfer mechanism, the best strategy is to use miles during your lifetime. Book award flights for family members (no transfer fee required), transfer miles to family members' SkyMiles accounts (for a fee), donate to charity through SkyWish, or document your login credentials so your executor can book flights before notifying Delta of the death.
Medallion elite status (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond) is non-transferable and terminates when the account is closed. The Program Rules state that "Medallion Status, benefits, and/or miles in the SkyMiles account will be forfeited when an account is closed." There is no process to transfer status to a surviving spouse or family member.
Because miles are forfeited at death, lifetime use is the only reliable strategy. Redeeming or sharing SkyMiles while the account holder is alive ensures their value is not lost.
SkyMiles Customer Service
Phone1-800-323-2323
Timeline
Account closure is typically processed within a few business days of notification. There is no transfer process, so no extended timeline applies. If booking award flights with the deceased's miles before notification, act promptly.
WebsiteFile estate claim→
Hours24/7
(General customer service)
Verified May 2026
