Bequeathing Qantas Points

[TedE]

Just working with my lawyer on getting a will drafted. Noting that this is a FF community, I was wondering (particularly since QF's change of heart), has anyone included in their will express instructions concerning who your points should be transferred to? If so, anyone care to share that clause (less any identifying details of course).

 

[JohnM]

Just working with my lawyer on getting a will drafted. Noting that this is a FF community, I was wondering (particularly since QF's change of heart), has anyone included in their will express instructions concerning who your points should be transferred to? If so, anyone care to share that clause (less any identifying details of course).

AFAIK, your points die with you.

I think the only way to salvage any points is for you to let one of your successors know your login details so that they can swiftly transfer the points to themself or another relo before your demise is formalised.

 

[lakeman]

Just working with my lawyer on getting a will drafted. Noting that this is a FF community, I was wondering (particularly since QF's change of heart), has anyone included in their will express instructions concerning who your points should be transferred to? If so, anyone care to share that clause (less any identifying details of course).

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Wow, you have a lot of flexibility
Eligible Family Member' of a Member means any person the Member can demonstrate, to the reasonable satisfaction of Qantas, as being related to that Member in any of the ways described below:

• Husband/Wife
• Parent/Step-parent
• Domestic Partner/De Facto
• Child, including foster and step-child
• Brother/Sister
• Half Brother/Sister
• Grandparent
• Grandchild
• Son/Daughter-in-law
• Brother/Sister-in-law
• Father/Mother-in-law
• Uncle/Aunt
• Nephew/Niece
• First cousin

Can’t help you with a clause to include.

 

[JohnM]

It looks like my comments relate to an historical system.

I was basing my comment on recalling a friend, who had just suffered a stroke, which brought this subject to the fore for him, some years ago telling me that some ducking and diving was needed to salvage points from a deceased's account.

 

[serfty]

It looks like my comments relate to an historical system.

I was basing my comment on recalling a friend, who had just suffered a stroke, which brought this subject to the fore for him, some years ago telling me that some ducking and diving was needed to salvage points from a deceased's account.

Yes, Qantas changed this a year or so ago.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I think the only way to salvage any points is for you to let one of your successors know your login details so that they can swiftly transfer the points to themself or another relo before your demise is formalised.

I know people who did it years later. CC kept posting points to keep the account alive.

 

[TedE]

AFAIK, your points die with you.

I think the only way to salvage any points is for you to let one of your successors know your login details so that they can swiftly transfer the points to themself or another relo before your demise is formalised.

For Qantas, that was the case until last year when they had a change of policy given the unpopularity of their previous policy. The Qantas Frequent Flyer T&Cs now provide as follows:
8.4 Executors or administrators of a Member's estate can ask Qantas (in writing, with proof of the Member’s death and their authority), to transfer the deceased Member’s unexpired Qantas Points (at the time of the request) to one of that Member’s Eligible Family Members. Qantas will transfer the Qantas Points if acceptable evidence is provided and we receive the request within 12 months of the Member’s death. The transferred Qantas Points will have the same expiry date as other Qantas Points in the Eligible Family Member’s Membership Account. We will close the deceased Member's Account on notification of their death. Status Credits can’t be transferred and will expire upon the death of the Member.

The Velocity T&Cs are practically the same and have been for a while.

 

[serfty]

I know people who did it years later. CC kept posting points to keep the account alive.

I knew of a person who was a Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) member. On passing the family kept renewing and using the membership benefits therein.

This all came unstuck when the MCC decided to celebrate their members aged over 100 years with special invitations for a committee meet and greet function.

 

[cove]

Yes @serfty once you get well past 100 years of age it does look a bit fishy. We lost a relo at 93 and he kept getting function invites.

 

[opusman]

Yes, Qantas changed this a year or so ago.

Yes from memory this was their first big post-Joyce change as a demonstration of their committment to improving their reputation and conditions for their frequent flyers.

It was swiftly followed by... er... and... also... um....

Well anyway, this was their first big post-Joyce change!

 

[flyingfan]

Thread on the change:

Thread 'Qantas reforms policy, no more points cancellation after passing'

Sep 28, 2023

This is a welcome move

Qantas reforms points policy, no more cancellation after passing

Qantas is adopting a more compassionate approach, giving grieving family members up to 12 months to transfer Qantas Points to their own account before the slate is wiped clean.

• cosi
• Replies: 39
• Forum: Qantas | Frequent Flyer

• 
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[FlyingFiona]

If an executor has the log in details and transfers points to an approved recipient without going through Q's procedure above, would this invalidate the points once the death was reported to QF?

Not suggesting subterfuge, just wondering if this could save time and effort in an already burdensome period.

 

[justinbrett]

VA require a clause in the will, so for mine I just put in a clause to cover all loyalty programs, and named QF and VA. Don't overthink it just use everyday language.

 

[opusman]

If an executor has the log in details and transfers points to an approved recipient without going through Q's procedure above, would this invalidate the points once the death was reported to QF?

Not suggesting subterfuge, just wondering if this could save time and effort in an already burdensome period.

Only risk I can think of would be if the account you transfer to has no recent activity, it could cause the points to evaporate on arrival. Presumably the official transfer method prevents this risk (or you'd hope it would, anyway).

 

[oz_mark]

VA require a clause in the will, so for mine I just put in a clause to cover all loyalty programs, and named QF and VA. Don't overthink it just use everyday language.

I don't think Velocity require the clause anymore - that said it is probably good practice to include in a will

 

[TedE]

I don't think Velocity require the clause anymore - that said it is probably good practice to include in a will

That was the conclusion I came to.

I am a lawyer myself (though not an estate planning lawyer), so I have drafted something (which happened to be along the lines of what @justinbrett said above) and sent it on to my estate planning lawyer for review.

 

[justinbrett]

I don't think Velocity require the clause anymore - that said it is probably good practice to include in a will

If nothing else it’s a reminder to them to get your points. It’s not going to be at the top of their list.

 

[Flyfrequently]

It’s not going to be at the top of their list.

Maybe not in your family @justinbrett

 

[VPS]

Maybe not in your family @justinbrett

nor mine

 

[nickfromeastryde]

I knew of a person who was a Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) member. On passing the family kept renewing and using the membership benefits therein.

This all came unstuck when the MCC decided to celebrate their members aged over 100 years with special invitations for a committee meet and greet function.

Attending the Sydney test each year, the areas reserved for those who have been members for 50 and 70 years is generally full of 30 to 40 year old's. The SCG and MCG must know but choose to do nothing about it despite long lists of people waiting for membership.