Have a few spare United Airlines miles? They could make a difference in the last moments of someone’s life. The miles sitting in your account can bring someone comfort, and bring family together with their loved ones before it’s too late.
I joined the board of Give A Mile which uses donated miles for trips of compassion. They are currently raising United Airlines MileagePlus miles to provide flights to people to spend the last days with a loved one. And if you’ll chip in a few miles, I’ll match them. I’ve already donated to this campaign. I’ll do more, and I’d appreciate your help.
- Match amount: Up to 100,000 miles. My United balance is a bit light right now.
- Duration: 5 days starting today.
- Goal: Give A Mile has 3 weeks left to raise a million miles in this campaign. We’re on our way but really need help to get there.
This hobby has done so much for me, and for many of you too. We’re very fortunate and have an opportunity to give back. There aren’t enough things we can do where a small charity with little overhead connects directly with people in need, where our miles can directly make a difference.
Give A Mile doesn’t ‘convert miles into money at a low rate’ like some charities. The group literally accepts donations of miles and redeems them for flights of compassion, bringing together people with their loved ones as they’re about to pass away, for last moments holding each other and looking into each others’ eyes – the kinds of life moments that cannot ever be recaptured, and an opportunity to ensure that people do not die alone.
You can donate as few as 1,000 miles or as many as half a million miles. If you’re in a position to help, I’d appreciate it, and the impact of your miles will be doubled.
Thanks for all you do, Gary. Happy to help deplete your miles further for a good cause. 🙂
I donated; then received a note from United saying that if the goal (1 million?) was not reached the miles would be returned. It seems there are only 5 days to reach the goal – ouch!
I just donated- Interesting did not realize they have to reach a goal to receive the Miles
Hi Leonard,
Thank you for donating 10000 miles to GIVE A MILE’s campaign. Once the campaign reaches its goal, the organization will receive the miles you donated. If they don’t reach their goal, we’ll return your miles to your account no more than 5 business days after the campaign closes.
Done.
Happy to help… Done
Thank you, Gary. This is a great way to give back to those in need.
I just wonder if United will make award flights available without jacking up the award price?
No United points as I’ve never had their card. Would have liked to donate though…
Minimum is 1,000 miles, so my 845 miles don’t work as the web site does not factor in your match. Poor design.
Done.
Just donated – hope it hits the 1M and is thus funded. Thanks for all you do.
I just emptied my tiny balance of 1,916 to donate. Good luck!
Sorry, maybe I’m a bit dense, but when I click through to donate, should I see some indication that there’s a Gary match to whatever I give? (I’ll give regardless but wanted to make sure I’m not missing something.)
love reading your articles. I’m Canadian so don’t have many United miles. Could only give 2000 miles.
Tara here, US board chair of Give A Mile. I wanted to clarify United changed their policy and will not refund the miles if the goal isn’t reached. We are working with United to update the donation message. Thank you to everyone supporting this! We raised 1.5 million miles from the last campaign and are now down to less than 16k miles. The miles from this campaign will replenish our balance and reunite many families for a final goodbye just in time for the holidays. This campaign goal is 1 million miles. A huge thanks to Gary for his generous match up to 100k miles, which will help us get there fast!
Done. Had only 3,000 miles to donate – hope it helps!
Done – 2000 miles to help them reach their goal.
Let me get this straight: You want people to die with someone else? You want the person dying to take someone with them?
Gary,
Thanks for making people aware of this. There’s actually a page where you can donate all different types of charities. I was unaware of that.
https://donate.mileageplus.com/Donate
Thank you
Great Cause, thank you for taking it on – So enjoy your blog – read everyday –
Cheers Kerry
That’s a nice charity. 10k sent.
Thanks for the info, Gary! I never knew about this.
Donated to this one and Soldiers Angels.
this is a good time to donate your Ex girlfriend Ex boyfriend Ex Spouse’s miles that you still control
Charity is the best Revenge
I donated 10,000 miles. Not sure how you’re tracking reader matches.
Done
Don’t really do any award travel, so I had a pretty decent size cache of miles available. Gave 5K for a worthy cause.
Done
I do not have much UA mileages. But Christmas is coming, and people needs their loved ones. I donated 5k.
People needs people; and I can share something I have.
I donated 1,000 miles. Thanks for posting about this, Gary.
Done