Donating Miles and Points

By Dian Vujovich

How about that Rush? Guess his think-I’m-having-a-heart-attack scare in Hawaii last month didn’t do much to develop his spiritual or enlightenment side. Nope. The big bag of wind told people yesterday not to donate to Haitian relief causes. Why? Because as taxpayers we’re already doing that. What a guy.

Glad many of us—and those around world—haven’t listened.

Then again, he makes a point. Some of our tax dollars do indeed go for humanitarian needs around the globe.

Then then again, maybe he’s just a little bit jealous of Anderson Cooper’s on-site reporting. BTW, the CNN reporter appearing live from Haiti, sharing stories and photos of the disaster has touched the hearts of those with a heart. And all the while looking quite buff in his black t-shirt with his how-could-you-miss-em bulging biceps. See them and wish, Rush.

Back to my point: Giving.

Received an e-mail from Peter Greenberg yesterday, (www.PeterGreenberg.com ). He’s the international travel expert whose travel advice you’ve no doubt heard on TV or radio.

Greenberg wrote that a number of airlines and hotels are offering bonus points when you donate money, your frequent-flyer miles or membership awards points.

For instance, members of American Airlines’ AAdvantage Club can earn a one-time award of 250 bonus miles for a minimum donation of $50. Donate $100 dollars or more to the American Red Cross through Feb. 28, and you’ll earn 500 bonus miles. Details at http://www.aa.com/homePage.do .

Frequent flyers of Delta Airlines can learn about donating miles at: http://www.delta.com/skymiles/use_miles/donate_miles/skywish_charities/index.jsp or http://tinyurl.com/5n56cl .

Members of Spirit Airlines’ frequent-flyer program who register online and donate at least $5 to UNICEF, The Red Cross, or Yele Haiti will give 5,000 free miles to the first 200,000 people doing so. Visit http://www.spiritair.com/haiti for details.

According to Greenberg, Continental, US Airways and United Airlines, have also said travelers can donate their frequent-flyers miles to the American Red Cross.

Those who are members of various hotel groups may also donate points. More information about Hilton’s program can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/ybryhja or https://www.hiltonhhonors.com/processLanding.aspx?lp=intlfedredcross ; Starwood Hotels, at http://tinyurl.com/ybtna66 or
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/account/starpoints/transfer/charity/detail.html?IndustryType=CHARITY&PartnerCode=REDCROSS; and Choice Hotels
at http://tinyurl.com/ycqbept or http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/GPDonations?sid=3Lni.eln8hggpdg.11 .