How do I go about approaching an airline about receiving charitable frequent flyer miles?

Question

I'm going on a four month mission to Africa in January with a Christian organization and needless to say funds are tight. I'm 21 and this is my first experience on the mission field (VERY EXCITED!) Because this is my first time raising such a large amount of money, I'm finding it to be very difficult. Someone mentioned that some airlines have reserved frequent flyer miles for donation. I'm interested in a plane ticket from Las Vegas to Georgia on Jan 13. Any ideas??

Answer 1

When my friends go on missions trips, they write a letter of support and send it to their friends and have them pray about whether or not to support you. People will donate their miles to airlines and airlines will fly really sick children and their families for free but not people going on missions trips. I suggest you find other ways to get support such as sell things or have your church do a love feast and have the proceeds be given for your trip. Also I suggest you really pray about this because if it is God's will for you to go on this trip, He will provide you with the needed money.

Answer 2

you need to go through the organization.



the airlines do not just give out frequent flyer miles when you ask for them. they are donated to causes such as Make A Wish or for the troops. an INDIVIDUAL may call and offer to hand over their miles to a specific person they designate but you cannot ask for it from the airline



for instance, when my Mother was killed in an accident while on vacation in HI, my Dad's friend called the airline and transferred his FF miles to my dad so that he could fly back in First class as opposed to the coach ticket he had already purchased.

Answer 3

The organization you are going with should be able to answer all of your questions, and surely has seen lots of issues arising from people short on funds.



Are you aware that you can almost certainly ride a bus across the US for a lot less money than flying? Or drive and leave your car in the parking lot of an accommodating church while you are gone? Or car-pool with others?

Answer 4

what does a trip to Georgia have to do with a trip to Africa?



ideas? yes, find some generous friends who will donate you their miles or $ or both. No airline is going to give you anything--"someone" doesn't know what they're talking about