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[This message has been edited by ScottC (edited 04-20-2003).]

This is a joke - please tell me this is a joke - it is a joke - it is a joke http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Yes Jan it is a joke http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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MRKEY

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[This message has been edited by ScottC (edited 04-20-2003).]

Ain't THAT the truth!

FWIW I think this thread is in the correct Forum.

p.s. - do you need any more yard work done in the next few months? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

My children did come up with a great idea (actually a second to an idea which was I believe, promoted by Ozstamps) and that is to seek out a family cruise.

We are looking at a UA offerings of river cruises in Europe, the French wine country or the Danube, or perhaps a cruise to Dubrovnik as Hunki's family is Croatian. Great way to burn a lot of miles fast.

May peace and the joy of this Easter morning be with you all. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by Punki (edited 04-20-2003).]

Yes, Ozstamps I need lots and lots of yard work. Under the right circumstances, I might even be talked out of a first class ticket from Australia in exchange for yard work. I might even be talke out of a ticket to a free flowing booze fest (come to think of it I believe that may have already happened).

Please bear in mind, however, that I am a hard task master and do not gift tickets to yard workers who spend too much time sitting in the sun on the back deck drinking champagne with the easily distracted Hunki. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

It looks like the former has been resolved in the first few posts to this thread (was there really any doubt?), so we are all now "hard at work" on the second question.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[There is currently no way to edit a thread topic once posted.]

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Guys, what are we thinking giving miles to normal charities when there are poor , deprived students out there being denied a free ticket to the Caribbean or Europe ?? After they "work hard" all year ? How do we sleep at night ? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

As Punki had said she had given to other charities already and was looking for other ideas, this came to mind. Either I was way off with this, or the age gap has some very differing opinions on this matter. Maybe a little from Column A and a little from Column B.

I offer a suggestion in this similar recent MilesBuzz thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/008482.html

...and in that thread, Randy Petersen links yet to another thread on this subject that you might find interesting.

Where are we supposed to talk about ways to use miles?

at FlyerTalker get-togethers.

See (and talk to you Punki) in Düsseldorf (and you haven't been spending miles for a trip to Wengen yet ...).

Punki:

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

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"A Mile here is an Upgrade there!"

I have always wanted to supply a plane ticket to someone elderly (>seventies) who has never flown before. I remember my first flight and how I smiled the entire time. The feeling was great. Imagine how that would be magnified to a seasoned citizen. Sadly, all of my old never-flown-before relatives have breathed their last breath.

Punki, how do I get in line with Ozstamps to do yard work? I will supply the adult beverages.

In my vain attempt to burn all my UA miles this year, I offered my (well into their 70s) parents a First Class round trip to ANYWHERE on the globe they wanted to go. After thinking about it for a week they decided on New Zealand as it: "is only 3 hours and we do not want to fly any further than that".

When prompted that a flight MEL-AKL cost me exactly as many miles as MEL-AKL then onwards to Cook Is, Tonga, Tahiti, Fiji, New Caledonia, Norfolk Is etc, the answer was "No son, 3 hours is far enough". Enough to make any FlyerTalker squirm with frustration .. missing out on a FREE trip to Tahiti!

They leave this week, and had to get passports as they have never been outside Australia in 25 years.

CountinPlaces - here might be the deal. I'll sit back and consume the adult beverages, and you do the yard work, and everyone will be happy? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif



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~ Glen ~

Come visit HERE the most ** FRIENDLY FORUM ** on FlyerTalk. No flame wars, no personal abuse, no substance abuse. Not much of anything really!