Credit Card Rewards Points at Death in Canada — Amex, RBC, CIBC, TD, Scotia
Credit card rewards points can have substantial value — an active premium card holder might have $5,000-15,000 in points across multiple cards. This guide covers what happens to those points at death in Canada and how the executor should handle them.
The general principle
Credit card rewards points are governed by each card issuer's terms and conditions. The Will provides estate authority; the card program controls actual transfer.
Most Canadian programs allow transfer at the issuer's discretion with appropriate documentation — but it's not automatic, and the executor must actively claim or transfer the points.
Major Canadian card programs
American Express Membership Rewards
Amex MR is one of the most flexible reward currencies in Canada (transferable to Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, and other airline/hotel partners).
At death:
- Executor contacts Amex Canada with death documentation
- Transfer to estate beneficiary's Amex account possible at Amex's discretion
- Specific procedures through Amex customer service
- Specific to current program terms
Best practice — promptly redeem or transfer to an airline partner program before the cardholder's death (where the transferred points then follow the airline program's estate policy, which for Aeroplan permits transfer to a named beneficiary).
RBC Avion Rewards
At death:
- Estate contacts RBC with documentation
- Transfer to beneficiary's RBC Avion account typically permitted with appropriate authorization
- Specific procedures through RBC
- Specific to current program terms
CIBC Aventura Points
At death:
- CIBC contacts and documentation
- Transfer to beneficiary typically possible with appropriate authorization
- Specific procedures through CIBC
- Specific to current program terms
Scotia Rewards / Scene+
Scotiabank's combined rewards currency (after the 2022 Scene+ merger):
At death:
- Estate contacts Scotiabank
- Transfer or redemption typically possible with documentation
- Specific procedures
- Specific to current program terms
TD Rewards and TD Aeroplan
TD Rewards:
- Transfer to beneficiary typically possible with documentation
- Specific procedures through TD
TD Aeroplan:
- Points are Aeroplan points held in the cardholder's Aeroplan account
- Follow Aeroplan's estate policy directly
- See loyalty points and airline miles at death
BMO Rewards
At death:
- BMO contact and documentation
- Specific procedures
- Specific to current program terms
National Bank rewards
Specific to current program terms; estate contacts National Bank.
Cash-back cards
Cash-back balances typically pay out to the cardholder's account:
- Executor can request final cash-back payout
- Specific to issuer terms
- Often more straightforward than points
Points already transferred to airline programs
Once points are transferred from a credit card program to an airline program (Aeroplan, AIR MILES), they're held by the airline program and follow that program's estate policy — not the credit card's policy.
For Aeroplan specifically, this means the points can transfer to a named beneficiary of the estate (per Aeroplan's verified estate policy).
Strategic implication — if a cardholder has substantial Amex MR or RBC Avion points and limited time, transferring those points to Aeroplan (which has a clear and favourable estate policy) may simplify the executor's job significantly.
What the executor should do
Within the first 30 days
- Identify all credit card rewards programs the deceased participated in
- Notify each card issuer of death (separate from credit card debt notification)
- Request statement of rewards balance for each card
- Inquire about specific estate procedures for each program
Documentation needed
- Death certificate (most issuers will accept Statement of Death from funeral home initially)
- Will and probate (or letters of administration)
- Executor identification
- Specific intended beneficiary information (per Will)
Watch for time windows
Many programs have specific time windows after which unclaimed rewards expire or are forfeited:
- Common range: 30-180 days after death notification
- Specific to each program
- Don't delay — substantial rewards can expire if not claimed promptly
Coordinate with airline program transfers
If the deceased's intent was for someone to inherit travel rewards:
- Credit card points may need to transfer to an airline program first
- Airline program (Aeroplan) then transfers to beneficiary's account
- Specific timing matters
What the Will should say
For substantial rewards balances:
Specific bequest of individual programs:
"I leave my American Express Membership Rewards points and my RBC Avion points to my spouse [name] if she survives me."
Combined with airline programs:
"I leave all my travel-related loyalty points and credit card rewards — including Aeroplan, AIR MILES, American Express Membership Rewards, and any credit card rewards transferable to Aeroplan — to my daughter Emma Smith, with the intent that she inherit the equivalent travel value."
General catch-all (for modest balances):
"I leave all my credit card rewards points and loyalty program balances to my spouse [name] if she survives me, or, if not, equally among my children."
Documentation for the executor
Document for each card with substantial rewards:
- Card issuer (Amex, RBC, CIBC, etc.)
- Card product name (Amex Cobalt, RBC Avion Visa Infinite, etc.)
- Account number (last 4 digits sufficient for executor reference)
- Approximate rewards balance (annual review)
- Specific contact information for issuer's estate/death procedures
- Intended beneficiary per your Will
Document in a Life Discovery Kit or equivalent — NOT in the Will itself.
Specific issues
Authorized users
Authorized users on the deceased's card are NOT primary cardholders. They typically don't have rights to rewards balances; rewards belong to the primary cardholder's estate.
Joint cardholders
Joint cardholders (both names on account; rare for rewards cards) may have rights similar to primary cardholders. Specific to card terms.
Co-branded cards
Co-branded cards (Aeroplan TD Visa, Marriott Bonvoy Amex, etc.) — points are typically held in the partner program account, not the card account. Follow the partner program's policy.
Recently expired points
If points expired before notification, generally not recoverable. Some programs offer specific reinstatement at their discretion for substantial accounts; specific to circumstances.
Pre-death point planning
If the cardholder is terminally ill and substantial rewards balances exist:
- Redeem for cash or statement credits (where available) before death — simpler for estate
- Transfer to airline programs with favourable estate policies (Aeroplan)
- Specific to circumstances; specific to family preferences
Practical recommendations
Inventory annually alongside annual Will review.
For substantial balances, name specific bequest in the Will.
For modest balances, general catch-all is sufficient.
Document for executor — issuer, account, balance estimate, contact info.
Watch for time windows — claim promptly.
Consider pre-death redemption or transfer for substantial balances if terminal illness allows planning time.
What we focus on at It's Simple Will
The Will Creator handles rewards points as specific bequests or under a general loyalty/rewards catch-all. The Life Discovery Kit (post-payment) captures the executor-facing documentation.
Related guides
Citations & sources
- [1]American Express Canada — American Express Canada
- [2]RBC Royal Bank — Credit Cards — Royal Bank of Canada
- [3]Financial Consumer Agency of Canada — Credit Cards — Government of Canada
Frequently asked questions
Do credit card rewards points transfer automatically at death?
No. Each card issuer has specific procedures. Executor must actively contact each card issuer, provide death documentation, and request transfer or redemption. Many programs have time windows after which unclaimed points are forfeited.
Which Canadian card programs allow transfer?
Most major Canadian card programs allow transfer at the issuer's discretion with appropriate documentation — American Express Membership Rewards, RBC Avion, CIBC Aventura, Scotia Rewards, TD Aeroplan/Rewards, BMO Rewards. Specific to current program terms and circumstances. Confirm with each issuer at time of need.
What about points already transferred to airline programs?
Once points are transferred from a credit card program to an airline program (Aeroplan, AIR MILES), they follow that airline program's estate policy. Aeroplan permits transfer to a named estate beneficiary; see [loyalty points and airline miles at death](/resources/wills/loyalty-points-and-airline-miles-at-death-canada/).
What about cash-back rewards?
Cash-back balances typically pay out to the cardholder's account. At death, balance can usually be paid to the estate per card terms. Specific to issuer; executor contacts customer service with documentation.
How quickly should the executor act?
Within first 30-60 days ideally. Many programs have specific time windows after which unclaimed rewards are forfeited. Don't let substantial rewards balances expire because the executor didn't know to claim them.
Should I name a beneficiary in my Will?
For substantial balances, yes — as a specific bequest. The card program controls actual transfer, but the Will identifies the intended beneficiary and provides estate authority. For modest balances, may fall under a general loyalty/rewards catch-all clause.