To strike the right tone here, I will preface this by saying that I understand that individuals will use their hard-earned miles in different ways.

Yet, when I received a thank you message from a close friend about an upgrade that I was able to gift to him on his recent flight, I thought back and realized that I rarely use my own miles, or upgrades. Of course it helps that I'm a OW Emerald, so many of the benefits I will get without much of a struggle on a paid ticket.

Instead, I gift them to family or friends to be able to give them opportunities to travel that they would not otherwise have.

There must be some great instances of fellow Flyertalkers doing some good with their benefits. The purpose here is not to brag, but rather to share great experiences, and perhaps motivate others to do the same. Care to share?

As I tend to earn miles significantly faster than I can burn them, I typically donate my Flying Blue miles to their charity partners. having worked with some of these organisations in Africa, I'd encourage everyone to check out the website.

Do you have a link?

I use my miles in various ways. Sometimes for my own flights, both domestic and international - usually in premium cabin though occasionally in coach. Sometimes for others to take trips they otherwise would not have taken. Sometimes for both myself and others to take trips together. One of the most fun ways I used miles recently was for a group of 9 of us to fly from the lower 48 to Alaska round trip. It was for a group of 7 teenagers I had been mentoring. Great trip and great memories for all.

I use my miles to get tix for my family and I to fly to NY and see my Mom. I only fly domestic, so I usually end up getting one or two award seats, and paying for the rest....

I use my miles to fly myself, and or my family. Every few years I'll spend the miles on a TV or laptop if I have too many miles sitting around.

International longhaul premium. Usually one 8-10 week vacation, and several shorter ones. Give away to family as well, although they've gotten pretty good at earning their own with some guidance

I agree with earn and burn, however you choose to burn it.

I very rarely use my miles on myself, and I tend to burn them as soon as I get them since they are not really a good investment. If I travel somewhere with the missus I buy a ticket for me and she flies with miles. Both kids usually get miles for their trips - if they are polite and ask at the right time.

Cheers,
Pogopossum

I follow a similar pattern. I try to take a 4-5 week trip once a year and then one or two shorter trips. Last year I did a month in Japan and then in the spring I spent a week in Germany and Austria. About to take off for two weeks in Tokyo, Taipei in Hong Kong, then I'll be spending a month in Vietnam in February.

My family has enough miles and points for themselves though. My father keeps calling me asking what he should do with his 100k Hyatt points.

How do you all have so many vacation days?!

I work for a tech startup that offers "unlimited" vacation days and lets me work remotely one month a year from anywhere in the world.

Any other charitable uses of miles?

For the first time in a long time I'm hoarding miles. Typically I would use them for upgrades. But my contract is going to end either this year or next depending on various options and I'm going to have to start buying some of my own tickets. I almost have enough miles right now for 3 SFO/BKK business class R/T, standard award. Save me nearly $20k next year if I go that route.

Thanks for the posts....keep them coming!

I don't do points. I just pay for whatever airline I want to go on. I don't need to wait to see if I have been upgraded or if my partner can join me in first. I book exactly what I want.