Can friends "donate" miles for adoption?
Mar 29, 2009 | 12:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1
Can friends "donate" miles for adoption?
Hi,
I'm so sorry if I am posting this in the wrong place.
Please be kind!
This summer we are going to be one of those families you don't really like sitting next to! After 4 years of waiting...we are going to China to pick up our baby girl! Now we are trying to figure out how to afford the last step....our airfare!
Some of our friends want to offer miles, but no one really has enough to get us three tickets to China (or even one).
Does anyone know a place where families like ours can register and friends/families can donate miles to help us with our adoption flights?
Thanks!
I'm so sorry if I am posting this in the wrong place.
Please be kind!This summer we are going to be one of those families you don't really like sitting next to! After 4 years of waiting...we are going to China to pick up our baby girl!
Now we are trying to figure out how to afford the last step....our airfare!Some of our friends want to offer miles, but no one really has enough to get us three tickets to China (or even one).
Does anyone know a place where families like ours can register and friends/families can donate miles to help us with our adoption flights?
Thanks!
Mar 29, 2009 | 12:58 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Arleta, CA
Programs: Marriott, Hilton H, Priority Club, United Mileage Plus, AA, My Coke R., Hertz
Posts: 34
I would call the airlines... like United, AA..., and ask if they could help you out. People may donate unused miles to them before they expire and they supposedly use these donated miles for charity.
Explain your situation. Maybe they'll apply some of those donated miles toward your trip. each year, people donate millions of miles back to them for charity.
Explain your situation. Maybe they'll apply some of those donated miles toward your trip. each year, people donate millions of miles back to them for charity.
Mar 29, 2009 | 6:32 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Home Airports: CAE/CLT
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, National Executive
Posts: 5,460
Not exactly what you asked for, but this likes like a good list of travel resources for those who are in the process of adopting.
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Hi,
I'm so sorry if I am posting this in the wrong place. Please be kind!
This summer we are going to be one of those families you don't really like sitting next to! After 4 years of waiting...we are going to China to pick up our baby girl! Now we are trying to figure out how to afford the last step....our airfare!
Some of our friends want to offer miles, but no one really has enough to get us three tickets to China (or even one).
Does anyone know a place where families like ours can register and friends/families can donate miles to help us with our adoption flights?
Thanks!
I'm so sorry if I am posting this in the wrong place.
Please be kind!This summer we are going to be one of those families you don't really like sitting next to! After 4 years of waiting...we are going to China to pick up our baby girl!
Now we are trying to figure out how to afford the last step....our airfare!Some of our friends want to offer miles, but no one really has enough to get us three tickets to China (or even one).
Does anyone know a place where families like ours can register and friends/families can donate miles to help us with our adoption flights?
Thanks!
Mar 29, 2009 | 10:19 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SAN
Programs: AA EXP 4 MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 885
Mar 29, 2009 | 11:26 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SFO/STS
Programs: UA Gold-1MM, Hhonors Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold
Posts: 1,094
First, congratulations.
I did this trip 6 years ago with my sister to get my niece. We were very lucky and the air tickets were given to us, along with upgrades from friends (all on UA).
I know that NWA used to offer special adoption fares, check with them.
If all of your friends have miles on the same airline, then I would call the airline and see if maybe they will waive the fees and arrange to transfer the miles into 1 account so you could at least get 1 ticket free.
You said you needed 3 tickets, so I am not sure if 3 of you are going to China, but the baby can come back as a "lap child" as long as she is under 2.
Good luck!
I did this trip 6 years ago with my sister to get my niece. We were very lucky and the air tickets were given to us, along with upgrades from friends (all on UA).
I know that NWA used to offer special adoption fares, check with them.
If all of your friends have miles on the same airline, then I would call the airline and see if maybe they will waive the fees and arrange to transfer the miles into 1 account so you could at least get 1 ticket free.
You said you needed 3 tickets, so I am not sure if 3 of you are going to China, but the baby can come back as a "lap child" as long as she is under 2.
Good luck!
Mar 29, 2009 | 11:42 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
Congratulations to the OP! Happy for this great news!
Regarding donating miles, kindly keep us posted through this thread here about what you find out. And also please let us know which airline you friends are donating miles in.
Regarding Northwest airlines adoption fares, the last I researched that (for a friend), I was told that the parents have to buy a full-fare economy ticket then the airline will give a slight discount on that fare. This allowed the parents to change dates on the tickets without penalties. However, the full-fare tickets were so highly priced that my friends decided to buy the cheapest fare and risk paying penalties. (However, thank goodness, everything went well for them).
AFAIK, no other US-based-airline had anything posted on the websites regarding adoption. You should really call the individual airlines and see what they can do for you.
Regarding donating miles, kindly keep us posted through this thread here about what you find out. And also please let us know which airline you friends are donating miles in.
Regarding Northwest airlines adoption fares, the last I researched that (for a friend), I was told that the parents have to buy a full-fare economy ticket then the airline will give a slight discount on that fare. This allowed the parents to change dates on the tickets without penalties. However, the full-fare tickets were so highly priced that my friends decided to buy the cheapest fare and risk paying penalties. (However, thank goodness, everything went well for them).
AFAIK, no other US-based-airline had anything posted on the websites regarding adoption. You should really call the individual airlines and see what they can do for you.
Mar 29, 2009 | 4:19 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: D.R.E.A.D. Gold card holder
Posts: 53,193
Planning to bring home a little someone from your next trip?
United & Lufthansa want to help you welcome your new addition to the family with special fares for adopting parents, their adoptive child and even friends or family members assisting you with the adoption process.
These special fares are for travel from the US to Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, Middle East, Central and South America.
For more information call United International Reservations at 1-800-538-2929 and reference the code: S*UAL/INTL-Adopt.
Information you will be asked to provide will include:
United & Lufthansa want to help you welcome your new addition to the family with special fares for adopting parents, their adoptive child and even friends or family members assisting you with the adoption process.
These special fares are for travel from the US to Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, Middle East, Central and South America.
For more information call United International Reservations at 1-800-538-2929 and reference the code: S*UAL/INTL-Adopt.
Information you will be asked to provide will include:
- Name and phone number of your adoption agency
- Information from your Notice of Favorable Determination letter (INS I-171-H)
- Completion date of your Advanced Processing
- Location to which your approved Advanced Processing Application has been forwarded
- Proof of U.S. residency
Mar 30, 2009 | 7:04 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,684
Hi,
I'm so sorry if I am posting this in the wrong place. Please be kind!
This summer we are going to be one of those families you don't really like sitting next to! After 4 years of waiting...we are going to China to pick up our baby girl! Now we are trying to figure out how to afford the last step....our airfare!
Some of our friends want to offer miles, but no one really has enough to get us three tickets to China (or even one).
Does anyone know a place where families like ours can register and friends/families can donate miles to help us with our adoption flights?
Thanks!
I'm so sorry if I am posting this in the wrong place.
Please be kind!This summer we are going to be one of those families you don't really like sitting next to! After 4 years of waiting...we are going to China to pick up our baby girl!
Now we are trying to figure out how to afford the last step....our airfare!Some of our friends want to offer miles, but no one really has enough to get us three tickets to China (or even one).
Does anyone know a place where families like ours can register and friends/families can donate miles to help us with our adoption flights?
Thanks!
Mike