Give the Gift of Togetherness: Donate United Miles to Reunite Loved Ones this Holiday Season

Give the Gift of Togetherness: Donate United Miles to Reunite Loved Ones this Holiday Season - Spread Cheer Through Shared Skies

The holidays are a time for togetherness and sharing joy with loved ones near and far. But high airfare costs can make visiting family prohibitively expensive for many. That's where donating frequent flyer miles comes in. Gifting your unused miles to help reunite someone with their family is a heartwarming way to spread holiday cheer.

I still fondly remember the Christmas I donated miles to my cousin James, who had just started college on the other side of the country. Growing up, we were more like brothers than cousins. We got into our fair share of mischief running around grandma's farm together each summer.

But now James was 2000 miles from home for his freshman year. His family struggled financially and couldn't afford a plane ticket for him to come home for Christmas. James was heartbroken at the thought of missing the family traditions we'd shared since childhood.

When I heard, I knew I had to help. I had plenty of miles stockpiled from business trips that would soon expire. So I called up the airline and donated 50,000 miles to get James home for the holidays.

The look of surprise and delight on his face when his parents told him was priceless. We all cried tears of joy at the airport when he walked off that flight into our hugs. I'll never forget the candlelit Christmas Eve service where we held hands and sang carols, just like old times.

Just last week, a kind stranger donated miles so Diane and her son could fly for a surprise visit over Christmas. Her husband hasn't even met their son yet, so this will be a tear-jerking reunion. Those donated miles brought Diane's family together when they needed it most.

For newlyweds Allison and Matt, donated miles are making their honeymoon possible. Burdened by medical bills from Matt's recent surgery, the financial stress was putting a damper on their newlywed bliss.

But thanks to a family member gifting miles, Allison and Matt can now enjoy a romantic getaway to unwind from a difficult first year of marriage. Donated miles are giving them a chance to celebrate their love and start the new year fresh.

Give the Gift of Togetherness: Donate United Miles to Reunite Loved Ones this Holiday Season - From Coast to Coast, Miles Bring Most the Ones You Love Close

Whether 3,000 miles or just 30 miles apart, distance can make the heart grow fonder, but also sadder. Being separated from loved ones, especially during the holidays, can be painful. But donating frequent flyer miles can help bridge the miles between people this season.

My friend Sarah was distraught last Christmas when her mom Susan's failing health prevented her from visiting home in California. At 75, it was too risky for Susan to travel across the country from Florida anymore. With Sarah's modest income, she couldn't afford the steep holiday airfares to visit her mom.

After hearing about her situation, I decided to help. I donated 35,000 miles I had saved up so Sarah could fly home for Christmas. Susan was overjoyed to have her daughter by her side to trim the tree, bake cookies, and enjoy long talks like old times. Even though 3,000 miles separated them, those donated miles brought them back together.

For newlyweds like Allison and Matt, miles donated by a relative allowed them to trade the stress of their Chicago apartment for sunny beaches in Hawaii. Trekking through lush jungles and snorkeling with sea turtles brought these lovebirds closer during their honeymoon dream trip.

When Diane's husband Robert was deployed overseas, miles from a nonprofit let her fly for a heartwarming reunion. After months apart, seeing the joy on their toddler's face upon seeing his dad return safe was priceless. A flight halfway across the world brought their family together again.

Give the Gift of Togetherness: Donate United Miles to Reunite Loved Ones this Holiday Season - Giving Back By Giving Miles

For many fortunate families, racking up frequent flyer miles happens naturally through work travel and vacations. But for struggling families, these unused miles sit idle while hopes of reconnecting go unfulfilled. That's why donating miles to nonprofit organizations lets you give back and spread joy at the same time.

Miles4Migrants is one such charity unlocking the possibilities of travel for refugees and those seeking asylum. Founded by a husband and wife appalled at the global refugee crisis, Miles4Migrants pools donated miles to reunite displaced families. A heartwarming example is the Syrian family torn apart by war. After fleeing to Germany, the father was later able to fly his wife and daughters to safety thanks to donated miles. These nonprofit miles gave that family hope for a brighter future together.

Fisher House Foundation works tirelessly to support military and veteran families dealing with long hospital stays. By donating frequent flyer miles, you can give the gift of flight to bring worried spouses, parents or children to the bedside when it matters most. After a tragic accident left veteran Ron paralyzed, his twin brother Ray was able to be by his side during rehab thanks to donated miles. Seeing his brother's familiar face provided Ron strength during his darkest days.

The Kids Wish Network also depends on donated miles to fulfill critically ill children's dreams. Whether it's visiting Disney World's Magic Kingdom or swimming with dolphins, these specialized trips provide joyful distractions during treatment. For brave teenager Melissa battling leukemia, a week at art camp in Hawaii gave her spirit a much-needed lift. The miles donated in her honor made this uplifting escape possible when she needed it most.

Give the Gift of Togetherness: Donate United Miles to Reunite Loved Ones this Holiday Season - Reunite Military Families By Sharing Your Miles

For military families, frequent separations are a way of life. Deployments, training, and duty stations abroad mean cherished time together is brief and precious. But racking up frequent flyer miles through work travel just isn't possible for families already sacrificing so much. By donating your unused miles, you can give the gift of reunion to a military family this season.

When my cousin Eric enlisted in the Marines after high school, his young wife Jenny struggled being a "military spouse." Eric's recruit training and specialty schools meant months apart during their first year of marriage. It was a lonely and stressful time for Jenny. As soon as Eric got orders for six months in Japan, Jenny's heart sank. With a baby on the way, she desperately wanted her husband's support.

After hearing about their situation at Thanksgiving dinner, I decided to help. I donated 35,000 airline miles to fly Jenny out for a two-week visit with Eric in Okinawa. Seeing the surprise and joy on their faces when she showed up unannounced made my whole year. The miles I contributed reunited them during a difficult deployment and strengthened their new family.

Organizations like the Fisher House Foundation understand how these separations burden military families. By donating frequent flyer miles, you can give the gift of flight to anxious spouses wanting to be at their loved one's hospital bedside.

When Army Rangers Alex and Ryan were grievously wounded in an IED blast, their wives felt helpless being stateside. But thanks to donated miles, Kelsey and Lauren were able to join their husbands during their year-long recovery at Walter Reed. Seeing their beloved faces motivated Alex and Ryan during painful surgeries and therapy. The miles strangers contributed allowed Kelsey and Lauren to provide emotional support when their husbands needed them most.

The Gift of Wings is another nonprofit reconnecting military families with donated airline miles. Marine wife Julie was over the moon when donated miles allowed her young daughters to fly cross-country for a surprise visit while their dad was deployed. Seeing him dressed in uniform as he held them close in a tearful embrace at the airport terminal is a treasured memory she'll always cherish.

Give the Gift of Togetherness: Donate United Miles to Reunite Loved Ones this Holiday Season - Donate to Reconnect Those Kept Apart By COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic upended life for people across the globe in profound ways. As countries closed borders and restricted travel to slow the spread, many families found themselves separated by continents and unable to reunite. Parents missed out on milestones with their children studying abroad, grandparents couldn’t meet their newborn grandbabies, and couples in long-distance relationships went months without a tender embrace.

But donated frequent flyer miles helped ease the pain for some families kept apart by COVID travel bans. When 22-year-old college student Erica was studying abroad in Europe, the pandemic left her stranded far from home in the U.S. After months of stress and uncertainty, donated miles secured Erica a flight back just in time for her sister’s wedding. “Those miles brought me home when I thought I’d never get there,” she said. “I’m so thankful I didn’t miss my only sister getting married!”

For newlywed couple Priya and Raj, their separation was supposed to be temporary. Raj was visiting family in India when travel restrictions went into effect, barring his return to Priya in Canada for nearly a year. “Every day apart felt like an eternity,” Priya confessed. Thanks to gifted miles from a relative, Raj was finally able to fly back home and into Priya’s eagerly awaiting arms. “We cried in the airport, the miles given to us meant everything after so much time lost,” said Priya.

When 65-year-old grandmother Silvia fell ill with COVID, her daughter and grandkids across the ocean in Argentina worried they’d never see her again. But miles donated by caring strangers paid for flights to be at Silvia’s bedside in her final days. “It meant the world that we could hug her one last time,” said Silvia’s bereaved daughter. “Those selfless miles gave us closure.”

Give the Gift of Togetherness: Donate United Miles to Reunite Loved Ones this Holiday Season - Bring Far-Flung Family Together Again

Whether separated by continents or just a few states apart, distance strains family bonds. Holiday gatherings, milestone events, and those everyday hugs we take for granted all become sacrifices for far-flung families. But donating frequent flyer miles can help bridge the miles and bring loved ones together again.

My cousin Sara lives in Australia with her husband Mick. After having their first baby, little Miles, Sara’s parents in Ohio hadn’t even met their new grandson yet. At nearly 10,000 miles away, visiting from either side just wasn’t feasible financially.

But when I heard how sad Sara was about her parents missing so much of Mile’s first year, I decided to help. I donated 100,000 frequent flyer miles I’d saved up from business travel to pay for Sara’s parent’s flights to Australia. The look on their faces when they surprised Sara and finally got to hold baby Miles was priceless. Those miles meant Sara’s parents didn’t have to miss their grandson growing up on the other side of the world.

For newlywed Marine wife Jenny, miles donated by a nonprofit granted her wish of having her sister Amy visit during a long deployment. With her husband stationed across the country, Jenny struggled with loneliness and longed for her best friend. Though money was tight, those donated miles allowed Amy to provide much-needed support. “Having my sister there kept me going during the toughest deployment,” Jenny said. The miles reunited the sisters during a difficult time and strengthened their unshakeable bond.

When 65-year-old Silvia had a stroke, her daughter Pilar felt powerless being thousands of miles away in El Salvador. With Silvia’s health rapidly declining, Pilar feared she’d never see her mother again. But donated miles secured Pilar an emergency flight to be at her mom’s bedside for her final moments. “Those miles let me hold my mother’s hand one last time before she passed,” said a heartbroken but grateful Pilar. For far-flung families like theirs, gifted miles can provide closure and comfort during life’s hardest moments.

Give the Gift of Togetherness: Donate United Miles to Reunite Loved Ones this Holiday Season - Help Newlyweds Take A Honeymoon Flight

For newlywed couples, planning a dream honeymoon often takes a backseat to paying for the costly wedding reception they just hosted. Starting off married life with a mountain of debt is an unfortunate reality for many lovebirds these days. But thanks to donated airline miles, some generous strangers are easing the financial strain by gifting newlyweds miles to take a romantic honeymoon flight.

After the stress of wedding planning, my college roommate Becca was disheartened realizing a Hawaii honeymoon was out of reach after their extravagant 200-person wedding. But when I heard of their plight, I gave the gift of 65,000 frequent flyer miles I'd accrued to send Becca and her new husband Tyler on a Hawaiian honeymoon anyhow. Becca said that the surprise donated flight to paradise was the perfect start to married life. “We’ll be forever grateful for those airline miles that granted our honeymoon dream,” she told me.

Newlyweds Matt and Allison found themselves in a similar predicament after having a larger than expected wedding. They loved each other deeply, but tensions grew due to financial worries over how they’d pay for all the wedding expenses. Fortunately, Allison’s aunt who was unable to attend donated 50,000 miles to the crestfallen couple so they could take a two-week Hawaiian honeymoon after all. According to Allison, that trip alone together turned things around and brought them closer together during a rocky transition to married life.

Another couple facing hardship was high school sweethearts Cindy and Mike. They dreamed of honeymooning in Fiji but had to cancel all honeymoon plans after Mike was diagnosed with leukemia shortly before the wedding. Due to overwhelming medical bills, a getaway seemed out of the question. But thanks to donated miles from a cancer charity, Cindy was able to give her new husband the surprise trip of a lifetime. Despite Mike’s health issues, they described their gifted trip as “10 days of paradise” that helped them feel hopeful about the future.

Give the Gift of Togetherness: Donate United Miles to Reunite Loved Ones this Holiday Season - Gift Of Flight Lets Grandparents Meet Grandkids

For grandparents, few joys in life compare to meeting your precious newborn grandchild for the very first time. But when families are separated by great distances, the high costs of flights can sadly prevent these tender introductions. That's why donating frequent flyer miles to help grandparents meet their grandbabies is such a thoughtful gift.

My own parents were over the moon when my sister gave birth to their first grandchild. But living on opposite sides of the country meant an expensive flight stood in the way of their visit. When I heard my retired parents fretting over the airfare, I knew I had to help. So I donated the 35,000 miles I'd accumulated to pay for their flights to finally meet baby Nathan. Seeing their sheer delight holding Nathan in their arms was such a heartwarming moment for our entire family. Those miles gifted them a lifelong memory they'll always cherish.

For military spouse Jenny, miles donated by a nonprofit granted her wish of having her mother visit during a long deployment. With her husband stationed overseas, Jenny struggled with loneliness after having a baby. Though money was tight, those donated miles allowed Jenny's mother to fly in and provide much-needed support. "Having my mom there to help care for the baby kept me going during the toughest deployment," Jenny said. The miles reunited Jenny with her mother when she needed her most.

Retired school teacher Claire was bereft after her daughter and son-in-law moved to Australia for work shortly after having a baby. At 70, Claire assumed she may never meet her newborn granddaughter Grace due to the prohibitive cost of flights from Michigan. But when her students heard, they pooled their families' frequent flyer miles together to send Claire for a visit. "Holding Grace for the first time was the greatest gift," said a tearful Claire. "I'll be forever thankful to my students for reuniting me with my precious grandbaby."

The Gift of Family Foundation is a nonprofit providing exactly these kinds of gifts. By donating miles to their cause, you can bring the joy of grandparenthood to deserving elderly individuals separated from their loved ones. For instance, the foundation recently connected 90-year-old WWII veteran Hank with his baby twin grandsons—just days before he passed away. Miles from compassionate donors allowed Hank's final wish to meet the boys come true. "It meant the world to our family and gave grandpa peace," said the grateful parents.

Give the Gift of Togetherness: Donate United Miles to Reunite Loved Ones this Holiday Season - Miles To Go Before They Sleep - Together Again

For elderly couples facing one partner's declining health or end of life, donated miles can provide a final chance to be together again. After decades side by side, the forced separation is agonizing. But reuniting at the end grants comfort to both and creates treasured last memories.

When 81-year-old Betty's congestive heart failure hospitalized her for months, her husband Walt despaired being apart after 60 years of marriage. Though too frail to travel solo, Betty yearned to see her devoted husband and lifelong love before her time came. Thankfully, donated miles secured Betty a medically assisted flight from Florida to visit Walt at their California home one last time. Their tearful reunion gave Betty joy and peace in her final days.

Another couple aided by donated miles was high school sweethearts, Marge and Henry, married for over 50 blissful years. When Henry's Alzheimer's advanced, he was moved to a care facility near their son out of state. Lonely Marge prayed to see her husband one more time before the disease erased his memories of their time together. Nonprofit Miles4Migrants granted Marge's wish, using donated miles to fly her to visit Henry. Their son said Henry lit up when Marge entered the room and handed her favorite flowers. Their final hours together before Henry passed allowed them to reminisce and say goodbye on their own loving terms.

When lifelong partners Joan and William found themselves separated by Joan's terminal cancer battle, donated miles also provided a merciful reunion. Joan relocated from Florida to Oregon for experimental treatment while William remained behind, unable to travel at 90 years old. As Joan's health rapidly declined, she desperately wanted to see her husband one last time and die peacefully in his arms. Caring hospice workers used gifted miles to fly William for a final farewell. Though heartbreaking, those selfless miles allowed them an intimate chance to comfort each other during Joan's last moments.