Donate Airline Miles
Donated Frequent Flyer Miles Help the Red Cross Go Farther.
While millions of Americans accrue frequent flyer miles through reward programs, the number of people who actually use them is considerably smaller. Through the generosity of several major airlines, the American Red Cross can receive donations of frequent flyer miles. Charitable mile agreements with these airlines enable individuals to donate their miles to the Red Cross. The miles, which facilitate the transport of volunteers and staff to critical areas, are used by the Red Cross to fulfill our promise to the public - to help provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
A list of the airlines that have charitable mile agreements with the American Red Cross, and a brief summary of those agreements, are provided below. Persons wishing to donate their frequent flier miles to the Red Cross may do so by contacting the appropriate airline directly. The IRS currently recognizes the donation of frequent flyer points as a gift from the airline to the charitable organization, therefore miles donated to the Red Cross are not considered tax-deductible by the individual donor. For further information we suggest that you consult IRS Publication 526 and/or your personal tax advisor.
Thanks to individuals donating their miles, the Red Cross will be there to provide relief when disaster strikes, wherever it strikes.
US Airways (America West)
FlightFund members may donate their miles in 5000-mile increments into the Miles of Hope program. FlightFund members who wish to participate in this program should call the FlightFund Service Center at 1-800-247-5691 or visit the America West web site.
Continental Airlines
Continental's frequent flyers may donate their OnePass miles online by visiting the airline's web site (www.continental.com/onepass/oDonateMiles.asp). Or, customers may make a donation by phone by calling 713-952-1630 (choose option 4 to speak with a customer service representative).
Delta Air Lines
Delta Airlines has generously supported the Red Cross over the years by allowing its customers to donate their frequent flyer miles. While not specifically mentioned by name on their web site, it remains possible for Delta customers to donate miles to the Red Cross by phone, fax, e-mail or regular mail.
To make a donation through SkyMiles OneSource Automated Telephone System, call 1-800-325-3999. Have your SkyMiles account number and PIN available when calling. To donate miles by mail, e-mail or FAX, please prepare your request in writing making sure to include the following information:
- Your SkyMiles account number,
- The amount of mileage you wish to donate, and
- The name of the organization you want to receive your donation.
- Delta will make sure your miles get to the charity you've indicated.
By e-mail: delta.bids@delta-air.com
By fax: 404-773-1945
By mail: Delta Air Lines, Inc.,
SkyMiles Service Center, Dept. 745
P.O. Box 20532
Atlanta, GA 30320-2532
Whether you donate by phone or in writing, the donated mileage will be automatically deducted from your account and reflected on your next mileage summary.
For More Information: https://www.delta.com/skymiles/use_miles/donate_miles/skywish_charities/index.jsp
Northwest Airlines
WorldPerks members wishing to contribute miles to the American Red Cross may contact Northwest directly at 1-800-327-2881. Please note that the initial donation must be a minimum of 5,000 miles and larger donations may be made in 1,000-mile increments. Get more information here: www.nwa.com/corpinfo/aircares/donate/.
As part of its AirCares program, Northwest Airlines runs a promotion through which its customers can donate $50 to the Red Cross and receive 500 WorldPerks bonus frequent flyer miles in return. Interested donors should make their contribution directly to the Red Cross. Upon receiving their donation receipt from the Red Cross, donors can forward it, with their WorldPerks account number, to Northwest to have their frequent flyer account credited by the airline. For more information on this promotion, contact Northwest directly at 1-800-327-2881 or write to:
Northwest Airlines
601 Oak Street
Chisholm, MN 55719
United Airlines
Mileage Plus members can make donations to the American Red Cross through United Airline's Mileage Plus Charity program. The minimum mileage requirement for a donation is 1,000 miles. All donations should be made through the Mileage Plus Service Center by calling 1-800-421-4655. Get more information here: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,,1363,00.html.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the American Red Cross provide free flights through airline agreements for people requiring travel due to medical needs, family deaths or other reasons? The miles donated through these agreements are accepted and utilized solely for disaster-related travel purposes in support of Red Cross disaster response. Travel assistance to families that have been affected by disasters is handled through individual case work and needs assessments, which are performed by national disaster personnel or local Red Cross chapters.
The Red Cross often receives requests to use these donated air miles from individuals in need of free travel assistance due to a medical or other personal emergency, such as a death in the family. Due to the restrictions noted above, miles donated to the Red Cross cannot be opened up to individuals or groups with travel needs that are beyond the scope of the Red Cross mission.
Resource for Individuals and Groups Seeking Donated Air Travel
A central listing of public benefit flying organizations and volunteer pilots who fly to help others may be found on the Air Care Alliance's website at http://www.aircareall.org. Users may search this independent, website that is not affiliated with the Red Cross to make their own selection of a volunteer pilot or air care association that meets their individual needs. Any questions or flight scheduling must be directed to the volunteer pilots or are care association.
By clicking on this link to the Air Care Alliance, the user acknowledges, understands and agrees that THE AMERICAN RED CROSS IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH AND DOES NOT ENDORSE, SPONSOR, VOUCH FOR OR RECOMMEND THE AIR CARE ALLIANCE, ANY OF THE INDIVIDUAL PILOTS, FLIGHT ORGANIZATIONS. MEDICAL SUPPORT SERVICES AND AIR CARE GROUPS LISTED ON THE AIR CARE ALLIANCE WEBSITE, NOR IS THE RED CROSS VOUCHING FOR THE SUITABILITY, RELIABILITY OR GENERAL COMPETENCY OF SUCH PILOTS OR GROUPS NOR FOR THE CONDITION, MAINTENANCE, OPERATION OR USE OF ANY OF THEIR AIRCRAFT OR FLIGHT SUPPORT SERVICES. THIS LINK SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS APPROVAL OF, OR CERTIFICATION OF, THE SAFE OPERATION OF ANY AIRCRAFT.
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