Accumulated miles and your sudden tragic demise

Those of us lucky enough to accumulate Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles might wonder what will happen to them if you were to suddenly keel over and expire; in short they vanish.

For most, that's not going to be a significant loss but for the smaller number who collect miles through frequent travel, use of the VA credit cards and linking your account to TESCO Clubcard etc., the miles can mount up rapidly.

Flying Club is kind enough to allow me to use my miles for an upgrade of my girlfriend' s ticket, as well as mine, if we have purchased Ks and want to be in the front cabin but it may be worth those with accounts stuffed with Flying Club miles to take a look at the following extract from the Flying Club Terms and Conditions:

2.8. Miles are personal to a Member and cannot be transferred between Flying Club accounts except in the limited circumstances set out in paragraphs 2.9, 2.16 or as otherwise expressly stated in these Flying Club Terms. In all other circumstances, any Miles or Tier Points which have not been redeemed when your membership expires or is terminated for any reason will automatically expire and will not be redeemable.

2.9. Miles may be transferred from a Member’s account to a different account if:

(a) a Member dies provided that (i) we are provided with a copy of the deceased Member’s death certificate; (ii) we are provided with a copy of the deceased Member’s will showing that the proposed transferee is the lawful beneficiary of the Miles; and (iii) the requested transfer of the Miles is undisputed; or

(b) the Member requesting the transfer pays the relevant transfer fees set out in the Charges section and otherwise complies with the Miles Transfer Procedure

2.16. To cancel your membership of Flying Club, or to seek advice about a lost/stolen card, please call the Flying Club helpline.

So, to all you single, wealthy and air mile rich ladies and gentlemen, without children who are looking for a gentleman to adopt, I'm here.

That's interesting. I wonder does the will specifically have to reference the FC miles being bequeathed? In my and my partner's wills we have simply left our estates to each other, one assumes that would be enough to satisfy the terms.

Here's another question for consideration. Say you've booked 2 reward flights, either upgrades or full reward redemptions using combined miles from both people, and one partner then dies before the trip. The surviving partner still wants to take the trip and wants to take someone else to accompany them. Would VS allow a transfer of the reward flight to another person?

I wonder...

Bretty

I have requested assistance from FC on that, exact, situation.

My original letter:

Sirs

Regarding Flying Club Terms and Conditions in relation to transfer of miles following the death of a FC member; 2.8, 2.9 & 2.16.

An additional question:

If we have booked 2 reward flights, either upgrades or full reward redemptions using combined miles from both people, and one partner then dies before the trip; the surviving partner still wants to make the trip and wants to take someone else to accompany them.

Would VS allow a transfer of the reward flight to another person?

I look forward to your response, although I'm not anticipating becoming an ex-member, any time soon.

Yours sincerely


Received from VS Customer Service:

Dear X

Thank you for your enquiry. I apologise for the delayed response.

Unfortunately Virgin Atlantic does not permit the transfer of a ticket to another person. However, If I may explain, in common with most other major scheduled airlines around the world, Virgin Atlantic is a member of IATA (International Air Transport Association). They set up trading standards and recommended codes of practice which we and all members adhere to strictly. The code of practice states that once a ticket has been issued by the airline it is not possible to transfer that ticket into the name of another.

Flying Club is one of the most generous frequent flyer programmes around. For information on earning and spending miles with us or any of our fabulous Flying Club partners, please see our website: https://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/f ... /index.jsp　

Thank you for contacting Virgin Atlantic. We look forward to welcoming you onboard soon.

Kind regards

X X
Contact Centre Customer Service Team


So, ensure you consider a specific clause detailing transfer of miles in your will, and complete all flights before your will is invoked.

Hi NV43,

Interesting, but it doesn't fully answer your question to them does it? It's a good deflection at best I think.

Cheers,
Bretty

Can't speak on FFC miles with Virgin, but when my late husband died BA were very helpful and promptly transferred all his miles to myself with no problem at all.

An alternative: make sure "someone else" is authorised on your account, anf they can simply consume the miles that are available - just don't mention the "change in personal circumstances" - after all, how would they know....?