August 11 (Day 164) Donate Your Frequent Flyer Miles

The biggest complaint surrounding Frequent Flyer miles is how hard it is to use them.  The dates you need are blacked out or there is some other conflict preventing you from using your miles. Well... Did you know that you can help a charity by donating your frequent flyer miles?  There are options to use your frequent flyer miles that don't involve flying.


In fact, you can donate your air miles to several different charities and make your miles go really far without any air travel at all. Many airlines also offer numerous options for frequent flyers who want to donate their miles to a good cause.
Each reward system and the corresponding donation program differs from airline to airline. Each airline sets their own rules as to how many miles can be donated, how to convert the miles for the charities' use and which charities can be eligible to receive the miles.



•Delta Airlines - Skywish Miles  donates miles to several charities including - The Make-A-Wish Foundation, the American Red Cross, Breast Cancer Research Foundation and a dozen additional charities.

•American Airlines - Using your AAdvantage Miles - includes AA miles for kids in need.

•United Airlines - Charity Miles program allows you to donate your Mileage Plus miles to any of over 2 dozen charities including Feeding America,  the Salvation Army and Special Olympics.

•Continental Airlines - OnePass members can choose to donate their miles to charities such as the March of Dimes, AmeriCares, The Fisher House and several other organizations.

•US Airways - You can make a difference in someone’s life. Through Miles of Hope, you can donate your Dividend Miles to four national nonprofit organizations: the American Red Cross, Mercy Medical Airlift, Fisher House Foundation and Make-A-Wish Foundation®. The miles you donate will help fulfill each organization’s mission and brighten people’s future.

•Alaska Airlines / Horizon Air - The Charity Miles Program includes charities such as the Dream Foundation, Hero Miles and Angel Flight.

•Air Canada - Aeroplan Beyond miles can be donated to charities such as War Child Canada and Schools without Borders.

•Lufthansa - Miles and More members can donate to charities like SOS Children's villages for something other than simply flights. An example from the site notes "Give a young person a chance. 20,000 miles will enable one young African to attend secondary school or a vocational training centre for a period of two months."



Get Involved:

Donate your frequent flyer miles and make a difference!  Pass this information along to anyone else who may have frequent flyer miles that they would like to donate.