Donate air miles to charity

Got a lot of frequent flier miles, and no plans to use them? Don't just let them expire. Instead, consider using them to make a difference in someone else's life.

All major airlines associate themselves with charities and accept miles as donations. When you donate miles, the airline holds them in an account for use as needed by a charitable organization.

For example, Delta and the Make-a-Wish Foundation could use the miles to grant an ailing child's wish to visit Disney World. Transportation to Orlando would be provided for the child and his family at no charge.

Each airline's program is slightly different - some have no minimum for the amount of miles donated (American and Continental), while others have minimums ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 miles per donation.

In addition, several airlines offer partial matching donations. While American gives one mile for every three that you donate, Delta and US Airways donate one mile for every five.

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