What happens to Ulta points when the owner dies
Ulta Beauty, Inc. points are forfeited under the program's terms when the account is closed
Ulta Beauty Guest Services
Ulta Beauty Guest Services
Ulta publishes no post-death timeline, because there is no estate-claim process for the points. The deadlines that do apply are the program's own: all points expire at the end of the calendar quarter following the twelve-month anniversary of the date they were earned (quarter ends are December 31, March 31, June 30, and September 30), Platinum and Diamond members excepted while they hold that status; Ulta may cancel an account for lack of purchase activity after a period it determines in its sole discretion, expiring the balance; and merchandise returns run on a 30-day (original payment) and 31-to-60-day (merchandise credit) clock from the original purchase date.
(General customer service)
Under Ulta Beauty, Inc.'s terms, Ulta points do not constitute property of the account holder and are forfeited when the account is closed upon death. There is no established process for transferring points to heirs or the estate.
Some families have reported receiving accommodations from Ulta Beauty, Inc. customer service, though this is not part of the official policy.
What to do
If a Ulta account holder has passed away, here is what to do:
- •Ulta gift cards and eGift cards found among the decedent's belongings. The Gift Card Terms state that a "Card does not expire and there are no fees associated with use of this Card," and the card is redeemed by presenting it at the time of purchase, so the estate can generally use the remaining balance in store or at ulta.com without any claim process. Check the balance at ulta.com/guestservices/gift-cards or by calling 1-888-566-2736.
- •Unopened merchandise still within Ulta's return window. Ulta's returns policy allows most new or gently used products to be returned within 30 days of the original purchase date for a refund to the original form of payment, and from 31 to 60 days for a merchandise credit. A proof of purchase is required "unless we can verify the original purchase in our system," and Ulta requires a government-issued physical ID for any return.
- •Call 1-866-983-8582 (866-983-ULTA), available 7am-11pm CT, 7 days a week.
- •Use the Email Us form at ulta.com/guestservices/contact-us, selecting the "Rewards Program" topic. This is the published written channel for rewards matters.
- •Text 309-650-8582 or use live chat, both available 7am-11pm CT, 7 days a week.
Required Documents
- Ulta publishes no documentation list for a deceased member, because the terms make the points non-transferable and not the member's property. Guest Services asks for the member's name, email address, and Ulta Beauty Rewards ID to locate an account; the Email Us form has optional fields for the Ulta Beauty Rewards ID and an order or Bag ID.
- For a discretionary written request, enclose a certified copy of the death certificate and the requester's proof of legal authority (for example letters testamentary or letters of administration). These are not Ulta-published requirements; they are what a survivor would ordinarily enclose to show authority to ask.
- For returns of unopened merchandise, Ulta does publish requirements: a proof of purchase unless the original purchase can be verified in its system, plus a government-issued physical ID and either a phone number or email address.
Timeline
Ulta publishes no post-death timeline, because there is no estate-claim process for the points. The deadlines that do apply are the program's own: all points expire at the end of the calendar quarter following the twelve-month anniversary of the date they were earned (quarter ends are December 31, March 31, June 30, and September 30), Platinum and Diamond members excepted while they hold that status; Ulta may cancel an account for lack of purchase activity after a period it determines in its sole discretion, expiring the balance; and merchandise returns run on a 30-day (original payment) and 31-to-60-day (merchandise credit) clock from the original purchase date.
Frequently asked questions
The points are forfeited. Ulta's program terms state that "Point and/or rewards balances are not your property, and you have no property rights or other legal interest in the points and/or rewards," that they "remain the sole property of Ulta until redeemed," and that the balance "cannot be divided as part of a settlement, legal proceeding or death." Cancelling the account forfeits any unused points. There is no estate or inheritance process for the points, and Ulta publishes no deceased-member channel.
No. The terms make the balance Ulta's own property until it is redeemed, state that points are "non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash," and provide that "no credit or cash will be given for unused points." A survivor can make a written goodwill request asking Ulta to move the balance to a named family member's account, but Ulta reviews any such request at its discretion and owes nothing. A survivor should not sign in with the deceased member's credentials to try to redeem the balance.
Ulta gift cards are a bearer instrument, not part of the loyalty account, and they are usually where the real value is. The Gift Card Terms state that a "Card does not expire and there are no fees associated with use of this Card," and the card is redeemed simply by presenting it at the time of purchase in an Ulta store or by entering the card number and PIN at ulta.com. The estate can generally spend the remaining balance without any claim process. The card is not redeemable for cash except as required by applicable law, card sales are final, and the terms state a card is void if sold or resold, so the card should be used rather than converted. Check the balance at ulta.com/guestservices/gift-cards or by calling 1-888-566-2736.
Contact Ulta Beauty Guest Services at 1-866-983-8582 (7am-11pm CT, 7 days a week) or through the Email Us form at ulta.com/guestservices/contact-us. Note that section 10 of the terms provides that upon cancellation any unused points accrued in the account are forfeited and cannot be redeemed, so if a written goodwill request about the balance is planned, make that request before asking for the account to be cancelled. A linked Ulta Beauty Rewards Mastercard or Credit Card is issued by Comenity Capital Bank and is handled separately through the issuer.
Because points are forfeited at death, lifetime use is the only reliable strategy. Redeeming or sharing Ulta points while the account holder is alive ensures their value is not lost.
Sources
Data sourced from Ulta Beauty, Inc. primary sources (7 pages reviewed). How we research.
Ulta Beauty Guest Services
Ulta Beauty Guest Services
Ulta publishes no post-death timeline, because there is no estate-claim process for the points. The deadlines that do apply are the program's own: all points expire at the end of the calendar quarter following the twelve-month anniversary of the date they were earned (quarter ends are December 31, March 31, June 30, and September 30), Platinum and Diamond members excepted while they hold that status; Ulta may cancel an account for lack of purchase activity after a period it determines in its sole discretion, expiring the balance; and merchandise returns run on a 30-day (original payment) and 31-to-60-day (merchandise credit) clock from the original purchase date.
(General customer service)
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