Donating Your Miles to Help the American Red Cross
One of the most dreaded things to hear while you are deployed in the military is “you’ve got a Red Cross message”. We know that means somehting bad has happened back home and need to return ASAP. The Red Cross is also there to help our families in a natural disaster when we may not be around to help them. While it may be associated with bad news, I think we are all grateful that the Red Cross is there to help our families when an emergency does occur. So along with the USO and Fisher House’s Hero Miles, here is another great way to donoate to a cause that could help you and your family someday.
We all end up with thousands of miles on programs where we flew the airline once or twice, but never accumlated enough miles for a free ticket. If we all donate together, those miles form millions, which the Red Cross can use to fly emergency responders and conduct training. The method of donating your miles to the Red Cross varies by airline and is summarized here. Note that the site is a little dated and still includes Continental. The United link is the better one to follow. Here is a summary below:
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines supports the Red Cross by allowing its customers to donate their frequent flyer miles. While the Red Cross is not specifically mentioned by name on their web site, Delta customers can donate miles 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 number of miles you want to donate, and the name of the organization you want to receive your donation
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.
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 by visiting the Mileage Plus Service Center or by calling 1-800-421-4655.
US Airways
Members may donate miles in 1,000-mile increments to the Miles of Hope program by visiting the airline’s website.
Suprisingly, no site for American Airlines even though they just had a post-Sandy special for donating $$ for AA miles. Maybe they will again in the future.
Finally, if you are not Red Cross certified for CPR/ First Aid, I encourage you to be trained. I have been for many years and am glad to know I have the skills to save a life. I am also Combat Lifesaver trained, but the Red Cross training is much more pleasant to go through!
