Compare Charity Credit Card Offers
Whether you are about to close a credit card account or your points are about to expire, donating rewards to charity gives more than a good feeling inside. It gets wounded military service members’ families closer to them, sick children the wish of their dreams and medical professions to where they are needed most.
Through charities, card issuers or travel brands, you can donate your rewards to any number of charities, helping disaster survivors, children in need and others. But you may not know where to start, so we look at:
How to donate your rewards
Donating your rewards is a good way to use up your points before they expire or before you close your card’s account out. In some cases, there may be a fee charged to your or the charity.
You can donate your rewards through your credit card issuer or through your favorite travel brand. Issuer donations typically start at $10 or 1,000 points, while travel brand donations can be as low as 500 points. In some cases, charities will take the miles directly, such as Make-A-Wish Foundation.
In some cases, such as Discover’s Discover Giving platform, you earn a Cashback Bonus® when you donate. Others, such as the Charity Charge World Mastercard Credit Card, allow you to earn an unlimited 1% on purchases that are automatically donated on your behalf.
You can often donate online – simply take a look at the charities your airline is affiliated with and donate. Or you can call in your request.
Charities range from organizations that will use your miles to bring a sick child her wish; conservation; disaster relief; and even human rights causes. Some brands have their own foundation that they use to aid the needy, while others partner with programs that give you access to a million or more charities. There are even brands that partner with local charities.
Beware of scam sites that claim they will donate your miles for you; it’s best to use airlines,’ issuers’ or charities’ sites directly.
Airlines that allow you to donate your miles
Looking to do good by pairing your favorite travel brand with your favorite charity? We’ve made it easy with this chart. Heads up that points and miles donations aren’t considered tax deductible for the individual donor, but that doesn’t take away the good feeling you’ll get by helping those in need.
Donating loyalty program points…
| Loyalty program | Feature | Highlighted charities |
|---|
| Aeroplan’s Beyond Miles | 10% top up for every donation | The Stephen Lewis Foundation, Doctors Without Borders |
| Alaska Airlines Charity Miles | Pool used to support charities involved with disaster relief efforts and for transportation of medical staff and volunteers | Make-A-Wish Foundation, Dream Foundation |
| American Airlines’ AAdvantage | Donate cash and receive miles or donate miles | Miles to Stand Up, Miles of Hope |
| Best Western | The Better World Fund, administered by advisory committee & Best Western International Board | Kiva for microloans, American Red Cross |
| Choice Hotels | Some donations are at 1 cent for 1 point | Boys & Girls Club of America, The Polaris Project |
| Delta SkyMiles | Through SkyWish, can aid wounded service members & veterans; affordable housing; disaster relief | American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Research Foundation |
| Hilton Honors | Can donate to myriad charities through PointWorthy.com | Nature Conservancy, The Metropolitan Museum of Art |
| InterContinental Hotels Group | Donate through The IHG Foundation | Bottomless Closet, New Life Farm |
| JetBlue | Donate globally or locally to more than 2.5 million causes | USO of Metropolitan New York, Make-A-Wish |
| Marriott Rewards | In addition to disaster relief and cancer research, Marriott offers charities that educate, advocate for and protect human rights | Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Immigration Equality |
| Mileage Plus | Minimum only 500 miles per donation; includes local groups | Cleveland Clinic, Community Kitchens of Birmingham |
| Southwest Airlines | Partners with 9 charities | All Hands Volunteers, Honor Flight Network |
Back to top