Getting upset is not going to "help your cause." I think what SirJman is pointing out is that most donated FF miles go to flying sick children for treatment, transporting military families to military hospitals where their loved ones are being treated, Make a Wish to transport sick kids to live their "dreams," or other charities, usually ones that are 501(c)(3), IRS approved non-profits.

I did a quick check of Expedia, and Delta flights, booked now, are running between $310, leaving on weekdays (6/29 and returning 8/2) and $370 leaving on Friday, 7/1 and returning on Sunday, 7/31, not the $600-$1,000 you quote.

Not to diminish your situation, but how many other families are in similar situations, where they can't afford to fly to visit each other? I don't see a lot of people who use these miles to want to donate them simply so that a daughter can, in essence, vacation with her parent. It's still a tough economy, and a lot of people are skipping their own vacations because they can't afford them.

I don't know how old your daughter is, but it's not as if she has no communication with you. She has phone calls and web cams and such, which is more than many others have. Many military families go through situations where they aren't able to see or talk to their loved ones regularly, so daughters and sons aren't able to see or talk to their fathers or mothers and aren't able to see them for 6 months to a year.

Depending on how old your daughter is, would it be possible for her to earn a bit of money to help with the costs of this? If she's not old enough to have a part-time job, could she help neighbors with their gardening or yard chores, get a paper route, hold a yard sale, or baby-sit? Also, are you able to take vacation the entire time she is there? If not, if she's young enough that she's not able to earn money for anything, who is going to watch her while you are at work?

There are also other options--Amtrak and Greyhound come to mind.