In the days after a death, families often discover two truths at the same time. The first is emotional: grief doesn’t move in a straight line, and even “simple” tasks can feel heavy. The second is practical: bills, accounts, passwords, and rewards programs keep running—quietly and automatically—unless someone steps in.
If you’re trying to understand credit card rewards after death, you’re probably not asking out of curiosity. You may be trying to pay for last-minute travel, handle estate credit card balance questions, or simply prevent a meaningful stash of points from disappearing. And you may be doing all of it while also making decisions about funeral planning, whether your family is choosing burial or cremation.
Cremation is now the majority choice in the United States, and the trend is still rising. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate is projected to be 63.4% in 2025, and the median cost of a funeral with cremation in 2023 was $6,280. Those numbers matter because they shape what families do next: how they budget, how they memorialize, and how they plan for the “after” decisions—like choosing cremation urns for ashes, keeping ashes at home, or planning a water burial.
This guide walks through what most families need to know: whether points expire, whether they can be redeemed, whether they can be transferred, and what to do now—before you accidentally trigger an account closure that wipes out a balance you hoped to use.
Do credit card points “belong” to the person who died?
It’s natural to assume rewards points are an asset the way cash is. But many card issuers treat points and miles as a program benefit tied to the account—not personal property that automatically becomes part of the estate. That difference is why families so often ask: do points expire when you die, can you inherit credit card points, and what happens to cash back after death?
The honest answer is: it depends on the issuer, the specific rewards program, and how the account is set up (individual, joint, or business). Some programs allow an executor to redeem points; others convert points to a statement credit; others may cancel points when the account is closed. The details are usually spelled out in rewards terms—often in language that’s easy to miss until you’re already in the middle of a loss.
The three most common outcomes: forfeit, redeem, or transfer
Most situations fall into one of three buckets. Knowing which bucket you’re likely in helps you choose your next step with less anxiety.
Outcome one: rewards are forfeited when the account is closed
Some programs are strict: if the account closes, unredeemed rewards may be lost. That’s why timing matters. If a family member calls to report a death, the issuer may close the account quickly—and if rewards don’t have a protected path (like executor redemption), those points can vanish before anyone has a chance to act.
Even when a program says points don’t “expire” in the usual sense, they can still be lost if the account is closed or not in good standing. For example, Capital One notes that rewards don’t expire for the life of the account, but you could lose unredeemed rewards if you close the account or if it’s no longer active or in good standing.
Outcome two: an authorized representative can redeem rewards
Some issuers provide a process for a personal representative (executor/administrator) to redeem rewards after the cardholder’s death. For example, American Express states that if a member dies, the personal representative may request redemption in accordance with procedures in the program terms. Chase also addresses death in its rewards agreement and notes an approach where earned rewards may be applied as a statement credit if the program is notified. And Citi ThankYou includes language that points may be lost upon death, while also describing conditions where redemption may still be possible for eligible accounts.
These examples don’t guarantee your outcome—cards and terms vary—but they show why it’s worth asking the issuer about “executor redemption” specifically, not just “what happens to points.”
Outcome three: rewards can be transferred, but only in limited ways
Families often hope points can be freely moved to a spouse or child. Some programs allow transfers, but usually with restrictions—such as transfers between household members on the same program, transfers to airline/hotel partners, or transfers between accounts that share an eligible rewards structure. Co-branded cards can add another layer: sometimes the “miles” live inside an airline program, and sometimes they are tightly linked to the credit card account. If you’re trying to preserve value, it’s important to clarify whether the rewards are issuer-held points or a separate loyalty balance.
Who can act: authorized user, joint account holder, or executor?
This is where many families get stuck. People assume the person who has the physical card can solve the problem. But rewards access usually follows legal authority, not proximity.
Authorized users are not the same as owners
An authorized user rewards situation can be confusing because the authorized user may have their own login, their own card, and years of history. But in most cases, authorized users are not the account owner. That means they may not be able to redeem points after death, and they may not have the right to keep using the account—even if they’re trying to “use up the points” for a good reason. If you’re unsure, pause and ask the issuer what the program allows, and what documentation is required.
Joint accounts can be simpler
If the card account is truly joint (not just an authorized user), the surviving joint owner may retain access and continuity. Joint setups are less common than people assume, and policies vary, but if your family is planning ahead, it’s worth understanding whether a card can be held jointly and how rewards work in that structure.
Executors and personal representatives usually have the clearest path
If you are the executor (or will be), you’ll typically need a death certificate and documents showing your authority (letters testamentary or letters of administration). The best outcome often comes from being very specific in your request: you’re not asking for “access to their account,” you’re asking about options to preserve or redeem rewards as part of handling estate matters.
What to do before you notify the issuer
Families sometimes feel guilty for thinking about points at all. But this isn’t about being opportunistic—it’s about preventing preventable loss. If rewards can legitimately help cover costs, it’s reasonable to protect them.
- Confirm whether the account is individual, joint, or business, and identify the primary account holder.
- Take screenshots (or notes) of the rewards balance, redemption options, and any linked loyalty accounts.
- Check whether there are multiple cards tied to the same rewards program (some programs preserve points if at least one eligible account remains open).
- Gather documents you’ll likely need: death certificate, executor paperwork, and proof of identity.
- Ask the issuer what happens to rewards upon death before you ask to close anything.
If you’re already dealing with immediate expenses, remember that points can sometimes be redeemed as statement credits or gift cards, which may be more useful than travel redemptions during a crisis. The goal is to choose the redemption path that fits your real timeline, not an ideal one.
How rewards fit into real-world funeral planning costs
Most families aren’t trying to “profit” from rewards. They’re trying to get through a hard week without creating a financial mess that lingers for months. Rewards can help with practical costs like flights for close relatives, hotel nights, meals during travel, or even reducing household expenses while you handle arrangements.
And if your family is choosing cremation, rewards sometimes help cover the memorial pieces that turn cremation from a transaction into a tribute. That can include a primary urn, shareable keepsakes, or jewelry—especially when siblings live in different states and want to share a small portion of ashes.
If you’re in that place, Funeral.com’s Cremation Urns for Ashes collection is a helpful starting point because it keeps the browsing broad while you’re still deciding what “right” looks like. If your family knows you’ll want something smaller—either for a small space or for sharing—look at Small Cremation Urns for Ashes and Keepsake Cremation Urns for Ashes, since small cremation urns and keepsake urns are designed for exactly the “we want to share this gently” reality many families face.
Choosing memorial pieces when you’re keeping ashes at home
Sometimes families plan to scatter ashes later, but want a steady, comforting setup at home in the meantime. Other families choose a long-term home placement because it feels right. If that’s you, keeping ashes at home is usually less about legality and more about respect, safety, and family agreement. Funeral.com’s guide Keeping Ashes at Home: How to Do It Safely, Respectfully, and Legally walks through the practical details that are easy to overlook when you’re exhausted.
When you’re deciding what to do with ashes, it can help to separate the “container decision” from the “final plan.” You can choose a secure urn now, and still change your mind later about scattering, burial, or a niche. If you want a simple overview of types and scenarios, Cremation Urn 101 is a calm, family-friendly read.
When the loss is a pet: pet urns, keepsakes, and jewelry
Pet loss brings its own kind of quiet heartbreak, and families often want something tangible that honors a daily companion. If you’re choosing pet urns, you’ll see a wide range of styles—from traditional wooden boxes to sculpted figurines that feel like a small portrait of your dog or cat. Funeral.com’s Pet Cremation Urns for Ashes collection is a broad place to start, and if a figurine style feels right, Pet Figurine Cremation Urns for Ashes can help you browse by that specific look.
For families who want to share a small portion (or keep something compact), Pet Keepsake Cremation Urns for Ashes aligns well with the search intent behind pet urns for ashes, and it can be especially meaningful when multiple people loved the same animal. In some cases, a wearable piece is the most comforting option, which is where pet cremation urns and cremation jewelry overlap: a tiny chamber, a small amount of ashes, and a daily reminder that love was real.
Cremation jewelry and the comfort of something close
There’s a reason cremation jewelry searches have grown alongside cremation itself. When a person is gone, the world keeps moving, and a small physical reminder can feel like a steadying hand—especially on the first grocery store trip, the first workday, or the first holiday.
If you’re exploring cremation necklaces or other jewelry, Funeral.com’s Cremation Jewelry for Ashes and Cremation Necklaces for Ashes collections make it easier to compare styles without pressure. And if you want the practical details—how pieces are filled, what they hold, what sealing actually means—start with Cremation Jewelry 101.
Water burial and scattering: rules that matter when you’re ready
Some families know immediately that water is the right place for goodbye. Others arrive there slowly. Either way, water burial planning is one area where families benefit from clear, factual guidance. In U.S. ocean waters, the Environmental Protection Agency explains that the general permit for burial at sea does not allow placement of human remains within three nautical miles of shore. You can read the details on the U.S. EPA page, which also clarifies reporting expectations.
For a family-focused explanation of how water-soluble urns work and how ceremonies typically unfold, Funeral.com’s Biodegradable Ocean & Water Burial Urns guide can help you picture the process without turning it into a checklist you have to “get perfect.”
Planning ahead so rewards don’t become one more loss
If you’re reading this while planning ahead—not in the middle of a crisis—your future self will thank you. The most helpful kind of planning is simple and specific. Keep a secure list of credit card accounts, loyalty programs, and where rewards live. Consider whether a spouse truly needs joint ownership on a key card, or whether an authorized user is enough. And if you’re comfortable doing so, ask each issuer (now, while you can) what happens to rewards at death and what documentation a family would need.
On the memorial side, planning ahead can be just as gentle. Families who expect to choose cremation often find it calming to browse options early: what style of cremation urns feels like “them,” whether you’d want shareable keepsake urns, and whether cremation jewelry fits your family’s comfort level. It’s not about shopping. It’s about removing pressure from a future day that will already be hard.
If you want a practical starting point that connects decisions—urn size, materials, keepsakes, pet memorials, and cost—Funeral.com’s How to Choose the Best Cremation Urn is designed for real families who want clarity without overwhelm. And if your immediate question is financial, Funeral.com’s 2025 guide on how much does cremation cost can help you understand what’s included, what’s optional, and where families often have flexibility.
A final word: move slowly, and ask the right questions
When a person dies, it can feel like every decision is urgent. But with rewards, rushing can accidentally create the worst-case outcome: a closed account and forfeited points. If there’s one steady approach, it’s this: document the balance, confirm who has legal authority, and ask the issuer what options exist before you close anything.
If you’re the person holding the family together right now, you don’t need to do it perfectly. You just need to do it carefully. Protect what can be protected, let the rest go without guilt, and keep your focus on what matters most—honoring the life that was here, and supporting the people who are still here.
