Use Excess Miles to Support Service Members in Need
Apr 22, 2003 | 11:03 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 271
Use Excess Miles to Support Service Members in Need
I posted this originally as a reponse to another post but thought others may want to use the advice. Since the other subject might not get attention, I am resubmitting the idea for those that may be interested.
All Very Frequent Flyers:
I have a suggestion for using some of your excess miles, and I would encourage others to do so, also. During my Navy career I did what I am about to recommend, and many folks were very appreciative.
If you live near a military base (or even if you don't), the Navy base in Puget Sound for example (or any base of your choosing), contact the Navy Relief Society, Army Family Assistance or Air Force Family Assistance, and let them know that you have miles that you would like to donate to them to use for emergency trips for service members in need. These organizations usually either loan or grant funds for emergency travel (depending on ability to pay back) and the travel is almost always top dollar, last minute emergency travel due to death or family illness. Often the family, earning very little to begin with, can't afford the last minute travel, but still must travel due to circumstances. Now a trip that in advance would cost $300 cost over $1200, and the service member has to borrow the money to pay for the trip. Contrary to popular belief, unless a service member is stationed overseas, such emergency travel is NOT paid for by the military!
By contacting the director of the local office, you would allow them to screen based on need (they do a very thorough job) and would contact you when an emergency arises that requires short notice, expensive emergency air travel. You would then make the airline arrangements, in concert with the assistance office, and save a military family a bundle of money in the process. It really takes no time, since the local office obtains all the necessary info and passes it on to you.
While I know most would do this out of the goodness of their hearts, it can also be a tax write off for those that want or need a charitable donation.
Win/win for everyone and some otherwise unused miles would be put to great use. If anyone needs help contacting such an agency, please send me an email and I will put you in contact with a military base near your location (or a specific location, if desired).
I have given quite a few tickets to needy Sailors, Marines and their families over the years so I can tell you it works, and it is appreciated.
Hope this helps to get rid of some of your excess miles!!
Steve
------------------
"A Mile here is an Upgrade there!"
All Very Frequent Flyers:
I have a suggestion for using some of your excess miles, and I would encourage others to do so, also. During my Navy career I did what I am about to recommend, and many folks were very appreciative.
If you live near a military base (or even if you don't), the Navy base in Puget Sound for example (or any base of your choosing), contact the Navy Relief Society, Army Family Assistance or Air Force Family Assistance, and let them know that you have miles that you would like to donate to them to use for emergency trips for service members in need. These organizations usually either loan or grant funds for emergency travel (depending on ability to pay back) and the travel is almost always top dollar, last minute emergency travel due to death or family illness. Often the family, earning very little to begin with, can't afford the last minute travel, but still must travel due to circumstances. Now a trip that in advance would cost $300 cost over $1200, and the service member has to borrow the money to pay for the trip. Contrary to popular belief, unless a service member is stationed overseas, such emergency travel is NOT paid for by the military!
By contacting the director of the local office, you would allow them to screen based on need (they do a very thorough job) and would contact you when an emergency arises that requires short notice, expensive emergency air travel. You would then make the airline arrangements, in concert with the assistance office, and save a military family a bundle of money in the process. It really takes no time, since the local office obtains all the necessary info and passes it on to you.
While I know most would do this out of the goodness of their hearts, it can also be a tax write off for those that want or need a charitable donation.
Win/win for everyone and some otherwise unused miles would be put to great use. If anyone needs help contacting such an agency, please send me an email and I will put you in contact with a military base near your location (or a specific location, if desired).
I have given quite a few tickets to needy Sailors, Marines and their families over the years so I can tell you it works, and it is appreciated.
Hope this helps to get rid of some of your excess miles!!
Steve
------------------
"A Mile here is an Upgrade there!"
Apr 22, 2003 | 12:01 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA 2.996MM & Plat Pro, DL 1MM, GM & Flying Colonel
Posts: 25,037
While this is a great idea I'd be wary of assuming you can get a tax deduction, since the miles you'd donate were (in most cases, and specifically in the U.S.) not taxable income in the first place.