Today is World Giving Day. Use your miles to reunite your loved ones and share their last breath

Today is World Giving Day. Use your miles to reunite your loved ones and share their last breath

from Gary Leff on December 3, 2024

Give A Mile MileagePlus Holiday Fundraiser

Give A Mile is a unique charity that accepts mileage donations and uses the miles to book flights or tickets so that those in need can be with their loved ones in the final moments of their lives and not die alone.

This is a small organization with a strong cadre of volunteers. There isn’t much effort. There is no marketing department. Only people who are committed to doing something good with their miles. I have donated many of my own miles to the cause and serve on its board.

And they can do more than just redeem your miles. They work with hospices, intensive care units and hospitals to confirm details – finding the people who need help, validating their stories and connecting people in their final moments of life. They are a 501(c)3 public charity and all miles go toward the program.

There are not enough opportunities to use miles for charitable purposes. Most are charities selected by the airline. And rarely are the miles actually used for tickets. You can already donate 1,000 miles.

United are doing something really unique and I was really surprised by it when they launched five years ago. Instead of choosing their own charities and asking you for support their efforts with Your milesThey allow charities to collect miles directly. You actually decide which causes you support. This way, your miles match your values.

Five years later, this is still unique in the industry, but it shouldn’t be. Maybe it’s because United don’t get enough credit for it and others don’t feel the need to follow suit. Non-profit initiatives are less prioritized compared to commercial ones, although there is actually no difference: enabling customers to make the most of their miles and feel fulfilled because of their loyalty is a real commercial win. This makes the miles more valuable to members, which in turn increases members’ interest in earning miles.

In the meantime, I ask: Do you think you could help with a donation? Thank you very much.

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