Earning miles while helping others
Jul 27, 2010, 11:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mountains of western NC
Programs: Life, Love and Laughter
Posts: 8,537
Earning miles while helping others
Since I've been on FT, I have found two great ways to earn miles/points while doing good and helping others. Has anyone else found other ways?
The two I am active with are:
1- microloans to small-scale entrepreneurs in developing countries through Kiva:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...-kiva-org.html
(loans can be made using virtually any credit card)
2- volunteering thru Takepart:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-annually.html
(volunteer time earns Membership Reward points)
Anyone have other suggestions?
The two I am active with are:
1- microloans to small-scale entrepreneurs in developing countries through Kiva:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...-kiva-org.html
(loans can be made using virtually any credit card)
2- volunteering thru Takepart:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-annually.html
(volunteer time earns Membership Reward points)
Anyone have other suggestions?
Jul 28, 2010, 8:28 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Varies :-)
Programs: AS; AA; UA; DL; VS; BA; Nat'l Emer. Exec.; AGR
Posts: 2,250
Note that it does (or can?) take three months to get AmEx MR points posted (just in case you're a little rushed 
). I can post later how long it actually takes for mine to post. Should be around September...
). I can post later how long it actually takes for mine to post. Should be around September...
Jul 28, 2010, 2:11 pm
#4
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
Who is the contact for questions from charities participating in Members Project?
Please address any questions regarding our charities to Daya Wolterstorff
Search for the name in the FAQ's and it will have her mail to try and get on the list
Please address any questions regarding our charities to Daya Wolterstorff
Search for the name in the FAQ's and it will have her mail to try and get on the list
Jul 28, 2010, 3:48 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mountains of western NC
Programs: Life, Love and Laughter
Posts: 8,537
Actually it may take more than 3 months for MR points to post. They do it once a quarter, but I don't know the lag time after the quarter is done. I haven't received any points yet, but I'm in no rush because I am enjoying the volunteer project I'm on. The points will be a bonus.
I don't know anything about how to get a charity registered with this offer. You will have to look through the websites noted in Mia's post above.
I don't know anything about how to get a charity registered with this offer. You will have to look through the websites noted in Mia's post above.
Jul 29, 2010, 12:58 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mountains of western NC
Programs: Life, Love and Laughter
Posts: 8,537
I suggest you read the FT thread on Kiva:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...-kiva-org.html
and read the info on www.kiva.org
Each loan has a different time frame and there is a slight risk of losing your money (Kiva's repayment rate is 98.79%).
Jul 29, 2010, 6:56 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 138
Thanks so much for this thread. If I read the Members Project FAQ correctly, any volunteer opportunity listed on volunteermatch.org is eligible. What's great is that I've already been volunteering with a local soup kitchen that I found on volunteermatch.org. The only bummer is that it says you can only get a maximum of 10,000 points (20 hours) per year for volunteering. Can someone tell me how much 10,000 points equals in miles?
Jul 29, 2010, 7:16 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mountains of western NC
Programs: Life, Love and Laughter
Posts: 8,537
Thanks so much for this thread. If I read the Members Project FAQ correctly, any volunteer opportunity listed on volunteermatch.org is eligible. What's great is that I've already been volunteering with a local soup kitchen that I found on volunteermatch.org. The only bummer is that it says you can only get a maximum of 10,000 points (20 hours) per year for volunteering. Can someone tell me how much 10,000 points equals in miles?
You need to have a membership rewards AMEX in order to receive points for your volunteering. If you have a MR AMEX, then this website can tell you ways to transfer points and how much they are worth in various programs:
http://www.membershiprewards.com/
If you don't have a MR AMEX, then you can find out more at that website or by searching for membership reward threads on FT.