Someone needs them more than you do
I’m a collector – I know this thanks to the book “Find Your Strengths.” It’s helped me make sense of why, as a child, I collected quotes, magazines, sports memorabilia – you name it. Today, I’m a minimalist and while I still collect quotes, I also collect miles. Airline miles, hotel points – I don’t discriminate. Who doesn’t love a good loyalty program?
If you’re a serious road warrior like me, then you also have thousands of points sitting around. Some you’ll hang onto forever and keep reaping the rewards but others…well, it’s time to part for a good cause.
So today (June 20), in recognition of the UN’s World Refugee Day, I pledged all of my United Airlines miles to the Miles4Migrants cause.
I recently learned about the two-year old start-up from a co-worker (hi, Emily Freedman). Her husband, Andy Freedman is one of the co-founders and shared that the organization recently booked its 1,000th flight for immigrant and refugee family members using donated miles. In fact, the 1,000th flight will be reuniting an Afghan family of 9 who became separated from their son when he fled civil unrest. Now, they’ll soon join him in Belgium nearly 2 years later.
Sometimes I struggle to find causes I personally connect with so using my passion for travel (and gratefulness to gainful employment for contributing to the #points cause) to help reconnect families is a meaningful fit. The fact that miles can fuel (literally) such a reunion and that you can see the firsthand impact is pretty special.
Give it some thought and consider donating here. And of course, keep earning those miles for yourself and others.
