How to close a United Airlines account after someone dies
United Airlines is a US based domestic and international airline carrier. They offer a credit card for airline miles, and call the program the MileagePlus Program. United does have a process to transfer miles to family member or beneficiary in the event of an account holder's death.
Required information
- Certified Copy of Death Certificate
- Account information
- If transferring miles, then an open United Airlines MileagePlus Program account to transfer miles into is required
How to cancel a United Airlines account
Contact United Airlines MileagePlus Program customer service at 1-800-421-4655
How to transfer miles out of a United Airlines account
If you have login information for the MileagePlus Program, you can transfer miles there, however, "Miles transfers cost $7.50 USD* per 500 miles ... *Plus a processing fee of $30.00 per transaction." That's outrageous! In this case, it's best to inform United of the account holder's death to avoid costly fees.
Contact United Airlines MileagePlus Program customer service at 1-800-421-4655 and ask an associate about United’s Transfer Miles Program
- Prior to calling, YOU MUST HAVE ANOTHER United Airlines MileagePlus Program account to transfer miles into
- Ask United to waive any transfer fees. They don't have it written in stone, but customers have reported success in getting fees waived.
What if I don't have the required information?
- United Customer Support: 1-800-421-4655
- United Airlines’ Online Contact Us
Official website: www.united.com/en/us/account
Atticus' Legacy Review of United Airlines' closing account process after someone dies = 7/10 stars
United Airlines gets solid marks from Atticus' Legacy Review of their closing account process after someone dies, as they do actually have a program dedicated to this subject. It states clearly in their policy that in the event of a deceased account holder miles can be transferred family members and/or beneficiaries. If they just went the extra mile (pun intended) and stated in writing that fees are waived, that would certainly bump them up a notch. As it is we're left guessing. Hopefully, after receiving this less than perfect mark they'll write one for their clients.
