Dividing Frequent Flyer Miles, Reward Points, and Other Non-Traditional Assets in a Fort Lauderdale Divorce
When most people think about dividing assets in divorce, they picture homes, cars, or bank accounts. But what about the less obvious property, such as all the frequent flyer miles, hotel reward points, or credit card perks you accumulated over the course of your marriage?
These “non-traditional” assets can carry significant value, and ignoring them could leave you with less than your fair share. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale family lawyer represents clients in these cases and explains how understanding the way courts treat these perks is key to protecting your financial future.
How Broward County Courts View Non-Traditional Assets in Divorce
Florida follows the rule of equitable distribution in divorce proceedings, which means marital property is divided fairly, though not always equally. Under Section 61.075 of the Florida Statutes, both tangible property and intangible assets earned during the marriage are subject to equitable division. Any frequent flyer miles and other rewards fall into that category.
Here’s how these assets typically come up in divorce cases:
- Frequent flyer miles earned through business or personal travel;
- Credit card reward points from joint or individual accounts used during the marriage;
- Hotel and vacation rewards linked to family travel or joint spending;
- Subscription perks and memberships tied to family expenses or luxury purchases.
One of the challenges in dealing with these benefits is that they don’t always have a straightforward dollar value. Airlines and credit card companies may restrict transferability, which means the court can’t split them in half. Instead, judges look at the overall value and balance things fairly through other assets.
Strategies for Protecting Your Share of Rewards and Perks When Getting Divorced In Fort Lauderdale
The value of rewards and other perks varies based on multiple factors, but Bankrate advises that they can end up totalling thousands of dollars. However, because frequent flyer miles and reward points are easy to overlook, many spouses forget to include them in their financial disclosures. That can be a costly mistake.
Working with an experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer can help ensure you get credit for all assets you helped build during the marriage. Steps you can take to get what you are entitled to include:
- Document account balances for credit cards, airlines, and hotel programs.
- Calculate approximate values using available conversion tools or industry estimates.
- Confirm transferability rules with the issuing company.
- Propose creative solutions, like splitting points, assigning them to one spouse while offsetting with other assets, or redeeming rewards before finalizing the divorce.
- Avoid last-minute redemption by one spouse, which could be seen as asset dissipation.
To Protect Your Assets, Schedule A Consultation With Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Divorce Lawyer
Frequent flyer miles, hotel rewards, and other non-traditional assets can add up to real value. To ensure they are divided fairly in a Fort Lauderdale divorce, get the experienced legal help you need from Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices. Contact us today and request a consultation with our Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer to protect all your assets.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.075.html
bankrate.com/credit-cards/travel/points-and-miles-valuations/
