Not to sound like a killjoy, but I think the charitable donation of miles is a bit sketchy.

My first question is this: let's say there's a kid in California that needs to get to a cancer treatment facility on the other side of the country. Are the airlines effectively saying "we won't give this kid a ticket unless YOU donate the miles"? Why don't they just donate the ticket to the child?

Second question: the airline says my donation isn't tax deductible. However, when they give a seat to a kid (presumably with my miles), is THAT tax-deductible to the airline? Somehow I'm betting it is.

If I donate miles to charity, I will follow a different method: I will donate a free trip to a charity auction. More money will get raised, and somehow I suspect the kid with cancer is still going to make it to his doctor.