What happens to Rapid Rewards points when the owner dies
Southwest Airlines points are forfeited under the program's terms when the account is closed
Customer Relations (no dedicated estate desk)
There is no published point-transfer timeline because transfers to an estate are not allowed. Account closure on notification of death is handled administratively by Southwest; upcoming reservations can usually be cancelled the same day.
When a Rapid Rewards account holder dies, points are forfeited under Southwest Airlines's terms. The account balance has no transferable value, and there is no formal process for heirs to claim points.
Some families have reported receiving accommodations from Southwest Airlines customer service, though this is not part of the official policy.
What to do
If a Rapid Rewards account holder has passed away, here is what to do:
- •Cancel any booked flights and request travel funds or point refunds per fare rules
- •If a Southwest co-branded credit card is on file, contact the issuing bank (Chase) separately to close the card and handle any statement credit for the annual fee
- •Close the Rapid Rewards account or allow Southwest's automatic closure to proceed
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Deceased member's Rapid Rewards account number
- Proof of authority for the person calling (executor letters or similar) if asking Southwest to cancel reservations or take other account actions
Timeline
There is no published point-transfer timeline because transfers to an estate are not allowed. Account closure on notification of death is handled administratively by Southwest; upcoming reservations can usually be cancelled the same day.
Frequently asked questions
No. The Rapid Rewards Rules and Regulations state that "Points may not be transferred to a Member's estate or as part of a settlement, inheritance, or will." When the account is closed on death, any remaining points are forfeited.
No. Under the Rapid Rewards Rules and Regulations, "The Companion Pass card is not transferrable." It cannot be passed to a spouse, child, or other heir; it ends with the account.
Southwest does not publish a fixed closure timeline. Once Customer Relations is notified of the death with a death certificate, the account is administratively closed and points are forfeited under program terms.
Points remain in the account as long as the member has qualifying earning or redeeming activity within the window published in the Rapid Rewards Rules and Regulations. Expiration is not the main risk for an estate, however — death forfeits the points regardless.
The published Rapid Rewards Rules and Regulations do not describe an exception process. Anecdotal accommodations are possible but are not a documented entitlement. An executor should not count on recovering points and should focus on using them before death whenever possible.
Call Southwest Customer Relations at 1-800-435-9792 with the death certificate and Rapid Rewards number. Cancelled Wanna Get Away and similar fares return to travel funds or points per the fare rules; fully refundable fares are returned to the original form of payment.
Under the official terms, points have no value after the account holder dies. The only way to preserve the value of Rapid Rewards points is to redeem, transfer, or share them while the account is active.
Sources
Data sourced from Southwest Airlines primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.
Customer Relations (no dedicated estate desk)
There is no published point-transfer timeline because transfers to an estate are not allowed. Account closure on notification of death is handled administratively by Southwest; upcoming reservations can usually be cancelled the same day.
