Log on to your airline's frequent flyer miles program on the airline's website to see the number of frequent flyer miles you have accumulated. Some airlines, like Continental, will allow you to donate as many miles as you would like. Other airlines have a minimum amount you can donate. United Airlines, for example, has a minimum donation amount of 1,000 miles, meaning that you won't be able to donate any miles if you don't have at least 1,000 in your account.
While still logged into your account, click on the link that will allow you to donate your miles. On the U.S. Airways website, for example, the "Donate Miles" link is located in your Toolbox on the right side of your account information. That will take you to a page that lists the charities the airline is partnered with. For U.S. Airways, as of October 2010, they are partnered with the American Red Cross, Fisher House Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Mercy Medical Airlift. To donate miles through the airlines you have to donate to a charity they are partnered with. If you want to donate your miles to an organization not working with your airline, you will have to contact the charity directly and work with them to donate an awards ticket using your miles.
Choose the charity and amount of miles you want to donate. Some of the airlines, like U.S. Airways, will allow you to donate online, where you simply click the charity and the amount you would like to donate, and submit. Others, like Delta Airlines, require you to send an email, fax or postal mail with your name, account number, the organization you wish to donate to and the amount you wish to donate. You can also donate miles through their OneSource Automated Telephone System. Once you have chosen the amount and submitted your donation, it will be deducted from your airline mileage account, although it may take a few days or weeks to reflect on your account depending upon the airline.
