Points-and-Miles Based Charity Miles4Migrants Ending Operations

Since 2016, Miles4Migrants has been a charitable organization that facilitates donations and then organizes transport for people around the world who are fleeing persecution, war, disaster, and more.

It operated thanks to the donations of points, miles, and even airline vouchers that would then be used to provide transportation around the globe for refugees, asylum seekers, and their families.

Unfortunately, however, Miles4Migrants has shared that it will cease operations at the end of this month. Here’s what you should know and how you can continue to use your points and miles for a good cause.

Miles4Migrants Shutting Down

In a press release, Miles4Migrants announced that it will end its operations at the end of January. Since 2016, the organization has been responsible for some pretty incredible achievements, including flying 44,000 individuals to safety, redeeming over $16.5 million worth of points, miles, and dollars to provide transportation to people representing 104 countries globally, and partnering with more than 70 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to identify those in need.

Programs like The Afghan Evacuation Project flew over 23,000 Afghan citizens to safety in the U.S., and The Ukraine2Canada Initiative supported more than 5,000 Ukrainians seeking a new life in Canada.

The organization noted that despite having a healthy amount of donated points and miles, it hasn’t been able to raise enough cash to pay for the ever-increasing costs of taxes and fees associated with award tickets.

“We accomplished a lot,” a spokesperson for Miles4Migrants told us in an emailed statement, adding that “being able to make a measurable difference with just a few dedicated people” was the joy of working at the company. “Unfortunately, the changing landscape for refugees and asylum seekers” plus the rising costs associated with award travel made it impossible to continue into the future.

If you’ve donated to Miles4Migrants before, or presently are donating, here’s what you should know, according to the organization:

• Miles4Migrants is working to turn off recurring donations. If you notice new charges, reach out to wecare@miles4migrants.org.
• Prepledged points, miles, or vouchers can no longer be used. You’re free to use them in any other way.
• The vast majority of points and miles donated through an airline website via a pooled account have already been used.

How To Use Your Points and Miles for Charity

While we’re disappointed to see Miles4Migrants end its operations, we’re encouraged by the fact that there are still many ways to put your points, miles, and other rewards to good use.

Major U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and more, have dedicated platforms that allow you to donate your airline miles to a range of worthy organizations and causes. Major hotel programs have similar options for donating points.

Even credit card rewards programs such as American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards have options for using your rewards currency for charitable giving.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, Miles4Migrants, a great charitable organization, is shutting down at the end of this month. We’re certainly sad to report on this development, but all is not lost. There are still numerous ways we can use our airline miles, hotel points, credit card rewards, and more to help those in need.