By Joseph Hellman-Benjamin, Founder and CEO of The Points King. Last updated: October 12, 2026. Editorial Policy
How do you donate airline miles? Sign in to your airline account and use its charity page: Delta SkyWish, United Miles on a Mission, American’s Miles for Heroes and related programs, Alaska’s and Southwest’s donation pages. Most take a minimum of 1,000 miles (2,000 at Southwest), the charity receives the miles in its own account, and the donation cannot be reversed. Donated miles are not tax deductible: Delta, American and Marriott all say so plainly.
I am Joseph Hellman-Benjamin, and I have run The Points King since 2017. Miles left to expire help no one, and donating them is one of the few uses with no strings attached. There are no affiliate links on this site.
Where to Donate Miles, by Airline
| Airline | Program | Minimum | Charities include |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta | SkyWish | 1,000 miles | American Red Cross, Make-A-Wish, St. Jude, Fisher House Hero Miles, Habitat for Humanity, UNICEF |
| United | Miles on a Mission | 1,000 miles | More than 20 partner charities, plus campaigns run by individual charities |
| American | Miles for Heroes, Social Good, Global Health and Our Planet | 1,000 miles, or your whole balance if less | Gary Sinise Foundation, Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Medal of Honor Foundation |
| Alaska | Atmos Rewards donations | Not stated | Angel Flight West, Fisher House, Honor Flight, Make-A-Wish chapters, Special Olympics Alaska, UNCF |
| Hawaiian | Atmos Giving by Hawaiian | Not stated | 14 Hawaii nonprofits, matched by Hawaiian up to 500,000 points each a year |
| Southwest | Points for a Purpose | 2,000 points | American Red Cross, Team Rubicon, Make-A-Wish, Ronald McDonald House, Wounded Warrior Project |
| JetBlue | TrueBlue charity partners | Not stated | More than two dozen charities |
Sources: Delta, United, American (August 6, 2026), Alaska, Hawaiian, Southwest and Upgraded Points (October 2, 2026) for minimums and JetBlue.
American accepts your whole balance if it is under 1,000. Alaska, Hawaiian and JetBlue do not state a minimum in the table on this page. Hawaiian matches donations to 14 Hawaii nonprofits, up to 500,000 points each a year.
How to Donate, Step by Step
- Sign in to your frequent flyer account.
- Open the airline’s donation page: “Donate miles” at Delta and United, “Donate points” at Alaska and Southwest.
- Choose the charity and the amount. Delta lets you split a donation among up to five charities.
- Confirm. The miles leave your account at once and cannot be returned; Delta says the charity may take up to six weeks to receive them.
When Airlines Match Your Donation
Matches make a donation go further, and they come back most years:
- Delta, November: for Veterans Day in 2025, Delta matched donations to Fisher House Hero Miles and Luke’s Wings up to 10 million miles, the 11th year it has done so (Delta).
- Hawaiian, December: in December 2025 Hawaiian gave all 14 of its partner nonprofits the full 500,000-point match.
- Disaster relief: American and the Red Cross have offered 10 miles per dollar on cash donations of $25 or more, as after Hurricane Melissa in 2025, when members gave more than $1.2 million (American).
If you are not in a hurry, waiting for a match month doubles what the charity gets.
Hotel Points Can Be Donated Too
- Marriott: through Marriott Bonvoy Giving, which says donations “are not tax deductible.”
- Hilton: through Point Worthy, from about 3,500 points, with Hilton covering the platform fee.
- IHG: 2,500 to 10,000 points to charities such as No Kid Hungry.
Are Donated Miles Tax Deductible?
No. Delta says donations “are not tax deductible for SkyMiles members or Delta,” and American and Marriott say the same. I know of no IRS ruling that treats donated miles as a deductible gift. A cash donation made through an airline promotion is an ordinary cash gift; ask a tax adviser how the bonus miles affect it.
Giving Miles to a Charity Not on the List
If the charity you care about is not an airline partner, you can still help: book an award ticket in the name of a person the charity is sending, such as a patient or volunteer. Every airline lets you book awards for others, as long as no money changes hands. See using miles to buy a ticket for someone else.
Other Uses for Miles You Will Not Use
If donating is not the plan, keep the miles alive first: a small purchase usually resets the expiry clock, as in keeping American miles from expiring. Some people sell unused miles and donate the cash. Brokers, The Points King included, buy miles, but every major program forbids selling them and can close the account; read the risks first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum to donate airline miles?
Usually 1,000 miles at Delta, United and American, and 2,000 points at Southwest.
Can I get donated miles back?
No. Donations are final once confirmed.
Are donated miles tax deductible?
No. Delta, American and Marriott all state that donations of miles or points are not tax deductible.
Which charities accept airline miles?
Each airline has its own list. Common ones include the American Red Cross, Make-A-Wish, Fisher House and St. Jude.
When do airlines match donations?
Delta has matched donations to Fisher House and Luke’s Wings each November for 11 years, and Hawaiian matches its partners each year. Check in November and December.
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NovemberDelta matches donations around Veterans DayIn 2025, up to 10 million miles to Fisher House Hero Miles and Luke’s Wings, the 11th year it has done so.
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DecemberHawaiian matches its partner nonprofitsIn December 2025, all 14 received the full 500,000-point match.
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After disastersAmerican and the Red Cross10 miles per dollar on cash donations of $25 or more, as after Hurricane Melissa in 2025, when members gave more than $1.2 million.
From the matching section on this page (Delta, American). If you are not in a hurry, waiting for a match month doubles what the charity gets.
Sources
- Delta: SkyWish, read October 12, 2026
- United: Miles on a Mission, read October 12, 2026
- American: Miles for Heroes, August 6, 2026
- Alaska: donate Atmos Rewards points, read October 12, 2026
- Alaska Airlines News: Hawaiian donation match, December 5, 2025
- Southwest: donate points, read October 12, 2026
- Delta News Hub: donation match, November 3, 2025
- American: Hurricane Melissa relief, October 31, 2025
- Marriott Bonvoy Giving: FAQ, read October 12, 2026