A LoyaltyLobby reader asked us what can be done with an Accor ALL account and points of a family member who has passed away.
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READ MORE: Accor ALL Rate & Bonus Points Offers
Here’s the question from the reader:
My father died at the beginning of the month. He had an Accor all account with silver status and around 280 EUR of points.
I read regurarly your blog and you seem to know well the Accor program.
I would like to know:
1. Can my mother Ask for the transfer of his account to her name as they always traveled together with the account with the name of my father. She doesn’t have an account.
2. In case it is not possible can she Make a réservation with his account in ordre to finish the 280 EUR value points? The issue could be at check in…
Loyalty programs have variable rules on how miles and points can or cannot be used when someone dies.
Some allow points to be divided or transferred to other accounts, while others basically expire them. I was not sure what Accor’s policy was, so I was in touch with them. They belong to the latter group that doesn’t allow them to be transferred or divided, but they eventually expire.
Like with other programs with similar rules, there is no way for them to know that the person is no longer with us. You can use the points by logging in to the account and putting the second person’s name on the message to the hotel field.
Conclusion
Even with the programs that allow transferring the points or miles from the deceased’s account, the documentation required can be burdensome. As a result, it is often easier to use the miles or points and then either close the account or leave it as it is.
And yet again you guys suggest that people can and should break the rules, just like in the Thailand immigration article where you basically advocate breaching the 21 days rule.
You guys clearly believe that rules don’t apply to you, right? How sad.
We are all grown up people and we can decide for ourselves, should we follow the rules or circumvent them for our benefits.
We are all grown up people and we can decide for ourselves, should we follow the rules or circumvent them for our benefits.
Before I even got into the meat of this article I had a sneaking suspicion that Accor would be among those that are completely inflexible on this subject. Turned out I was right.
As far as “breaking the rules” I don’t think I owe Accor a single thing given all the time spent contacting them to credit points or nights or bonuses or fix mistakes etc. given their substandard IT and customer service. If that’s breaking the rules, so be it. Either I or my wife will get over it.