What happens to IHG One Rewards points when someone dies
IHG Hotels & Resorts publishes its own process for a deceased person's account; a written request goes by fax to 1-800-725-8232.
IHG Hotels & Resorts' terms allow IHG One Rewards points to transfer to a family member after the account holder dies.
IHG Hotels & Resorts publishes its own process for a deceased person's account: Transfer of IHG One Rewards Points Upon Death (IHG One Rewards Membership Terms and Conditions); a written request goes by fax to 1-800-725-8232. The request takes 5 documents. IHG One Rewards Customer Care (deceased-member points transfer) answers at 1-888-211-9874.
How to request a transfer
- •The executor or administrator: court documents showing authority, such as letters testamentary or letters of administration.
- •A sole beneficiary: copies of the will and the death certificate.
- •Each receiving account number, and written instructions on dividing the balance among several beneficiaries.
Required Documents
- Court documents showing authority: if the executor or administrator of the estate sends the request. Such as letters testamentary or letters of administration.
- Copy of the will: if a sole beneficiary sends the request
- Copy of the death certificate: if a sole beneficiary sends the request
- IHG One Rewards account number of each beneficiary receiving points
- Written instructions on dividing the balance: if more than one beneficiary is to receive points
What IHG Hotels & Resorts's terms say at death
- Transfer of IHG One Rewards Points Upon Death
“When an IHG One Rewards Member passes away, the Member's Points may be transferred to the IHG One Rewards account(s) of the Member's beneficiary(ies). The request for transfer should be sent to IHG Customer Care by the executor or administrator of the decedent's estate, along with court documents showing authority, or by a sole beneficiary, along with copies of the decedent's will and death certificate. The request must be received within one (1) year of the date of death. Transfer fees will be waived.”1
What IHG Hotels & Resorts says happens3
- Transfer at death
Except for transfers the Terms allow or IHG authorizes in writing, points may not be sold, bartered, attached, seized, levied upon, pledged or transferred, including by operation of law or upon death.1
- Fees
Transfer fees are waived for transfers at death; the $5 US per 1,000 points charge for transfers between living members does not apply.1
- Inactive accounts and expiry
The twelve-month expiration of Club level points runs separately from the one-year request window and can remove the balance before it closes. Elite members' points do not expire while Elite level membership is maintained.1
If a member has no activity for five years, IHG reserves the right to permanently cancel the membership, and a cancelled account forfeits all points, point vouchers, Reward Nights and other benefits.1
Not in IHG One Rewards's published guidance7
- How long a request takes
- A mailing address for a written request
- A form for estate requests
- A bereavement page
- An estates portal or estates email
- An extension of the one-year window while the estate is in probate
- Joint ownership of points
A written request to IHG Hotels & Resorts can ask it to transfer the points to a named family member and preserve the account while the estate is opened.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter for IHG One Rewards drafts that request from the estate's details.
Sources
Data sourced from IHG Hotels & Resorts primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.
IHG One Rewards estate claims
IHG One Rewards Customer Care (deceased-member points transfer)
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