EXCHANGING Miles for Smiles
We’re all looking for feel-good travel stories at the moment, right?
Here’s one.
The Travel Authority Group’s CEO, Peter Hosper, brought a smile to his dial by making the most of an Aegean Air—a Star Alliance Member—program that encourages frequent flyers to donate miles to referral hospitals in Greece.
And to increase the impact of gestures like this, the airline triples the miles contribution. Not only that, it offers two round-trip tickets to medical staff so that, when this is over, they can take a break with their plus-ones in any Greek destination on the Aegean Air network.
“I didn’t have a huge miles balance. But I know those miles can be better utilised by others and work much harder than they would for me.”
The Travel Authority Group’s CEO, Peter Hosper.
“I know many other people doing similar things with their miles and points. It’ll be a while before any of us are in the air again, and it feels nice to have made a contribution those working at the COVID coal face,” Hosper added.
Aegean Air isn’t unique in offering ways for customers to put their miles to work charitably.
Here are some more examples.
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Qantas’ program supports a range of organisations from the Australian Red Cross, Unicef, The Fred Hollows Foundation, Royal Flying Doctor Service and more.
Singapore Airlines and KrisFlyer
Singapore Airlines supports Make-A-Wish Singapore to help fulfill the wishes of children with life threatening illnesses.
The Emirates Airline Foundation
If you’re a Skywards member you can donate your Miles to the Emirates Foundation to sponsor the travel of doctors and volunteer professionals serving on humanitarian missions.
Etihad Guest
Abu Dhabi’s Etihad enables flyers to donate to the UNHCR through its Etihad Guest frequent flyer program to support the prevention and response efforts in view of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in refugees settings.
Etihad Guest contributions can be made in any number of miles.
Marriott Bonvoy
The Bonvoy loyalty program covers 30 hotel brands, and is currently encouraging members to donate points and aid crisis relief efforts for COVID-19 and more worldwide.
Donations can be directed to a number of organisations including:
- World Central Kitchen
- UNICEF
- American Red Cross
- International Federation
- The Marriott International Disaster Relief Fund
There are, of course, many more.
If you’re interested in doing something similar, be sure to check-in with your preferred frequent flyer program and see just how much good you can do with your miles and points.
For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.
We’d love to hear from you.
