What happens to Hilton Honors points when the owner dies
Hilton Worldwide has a formal process for transferring points after an account holder dies
Hilton Honors Priority Letter (Deceased Member Transfers)
Request must be submitted within 1 year from the date of the member's death. Hilton commits to processing within 5 business days of receiving complete documentation. This is the most specific processing timeline published by any major hotel loyalty program.
Hilton Worldwide offers a process for transferring Hilton Honors points to family members after the account holder dies.
How to request a transfer
Here is the process for transferring Hilton Honors points after the account holder dies:
- •Completed Declaration form / Death Transfer Affidavit
- •Copy of the member's death certificate (certified copy is not required)
- •Official document establishing legal authority over the estate (Letters Testamentary, court order, or equivalent)
Required Documents
- Completed Hilton Honors Declaration form (Death Transfer Affidavit)
- Copy of death certificate (certified copy not required)
- Official document establishing legal authority over the estate (Letters Testamentary, court order, or equivalent)
Timeline
Request must be submitted within 1 year from the date of the member's death. Hilton commits to processing within 5 business days of receiving complete documentation. This is the most specific processing timeline published by any major hotel loyalty program.
Frequently asked questions
Points can be transferred to one or more active Hilton Honors members at no fee. Submit the completed Declaration form (Death Transfer Affidavit), a copy of the death certificate (certified copy not required), and official documentation of legal authority over the estate to priorityletter@hilton.com within 1 year of the date of death. Hilton processes complete requests within 5 business days. Elite status and benefits do not transfer.
While the Hilton Honors Terms state points are not transferable by operation of law, Hilton carves out a formal deceased member transfer process that functions as inheritance. Transfers are at Hilton's sole discretion, but the published process is well-documented and points can be split among multiple recipients.
Transfer points to family during your lifetime through 1:1 Transfer to Another Member (up to 500,000 points per year, no fee, 1,000-point increments) or Points Pooling with up to 11 members. Keep the account active so points do not expire after 24 months of inactivity. Ensure intended recipients already have Hilton Honors accounts, and inform the executor about the 1-year deceased member transfer deadline and the priorityletter@hilton.com submission process.
Yes, after 24 consecutive months of no qualifying activity. Qualifying activity includes earning, redeeming, purchasing, or donating points. Once forfeited, points cannot be reinstated, though the member can earn new points. Any single qualifying activity resets the 24-month clock.
Yes. Hilton allows transfers to multiple recipients, which is unusual among hotel loyalty programs. There is no minimum or maximum point amount per transfer, but each recipient requires a separate submission to priorityletter@hilton.com. Every receiving member must already have an active Hilton Honors account.
No. Hilton does not charge a fee for deceased member point transfers. The 1:1 lifetime member-to-member transfer and Points Pooling features are also free.
No. Only points transfer. Elite status, earned rewards, and tier benefits belong to the account holder and do not pass to heirs. Transferred points also do not count toward the receiving member's elite status qualification.
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 Hilton Worldwide primary sources (6 pages reviewed). How we research.
Hilton Honors Priority Letter (Deceased Member Transfers)
Request must be submitted within 1 year from the date of the member's death. Hilton commits to processing within 5 business days of receiving complete documentation. This is the most specific processing timeline published by any major hotel loyalty program.
