Lynda,

I'll give you the other end of the equation.

As a board member of a charitable non-profit organization (ALS of Michigan aka Lou Gehrig's disease), I've been graciously offered miles for our patient and fundraising needs, but the airlines don't have a means for us to accept the miles legally. Unless you're on their "approved" list of 501c3's, there is no possible way to open an account to deposit miles into. And if someone offers to *purchase* a ticket for our use, technically it's in violation of the airlines rules and regulations.

It's very frustrating to have to turn down such generous offers, but unless the airlines become more flexible (and charitable), we have no other choice.