Delta, Southwest Let Passengers Donate Miles to Soldiers on R&R; Other Airlines Consider Idea

AP ^

[TheOtherOne]

Delta, Southwest Let Passengers Donate Miles to Soldiers on R&R; Other Airlines Consider Idea
By Wiley Hall Associated Press Writer
Published: Oct 22, 2003

BALTIMORE (AP) - Travelers will have an opportunity to donate some of their frequent-flier rewards to help troops on leave from Iraq reach their hometowns.

A congressman whose district includes Baltimore-Washington International Airport started "Operation Hero Miles" and asked airlines to help set up the pool of frequent-flier miles.

Delta Air Lines said Wednesday it would participate. Southwest Airlines, the No. 1 carrier at BWI, will let passengers donate tickets earned through the airline's reward system, said Christine Turneabe-Connelly, a Southwest spokeswoman.

Other airlines said they were considering the plan.

Last month, the Pentagon started giving soldiers two-week leaves in the largest R&R program since the Vietnam War. Some flew to Germany and others to BWI for free. The soldiers are responsible for flights the rest of the way to their destination, although major airlines have offered discounts.

Rep. C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger, a first-term Democrat, initiated the idea after the House left airfare out of the $87 billion package of aid for Iraq and Afghanistan. His congressional staff donated 67,000 of their frequent-flier miles, a spokeswoman said.

"So many people have come up with some very creative ways to support the troops. It's very gratifying," said Army Maj. Mike Escudie of U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Fla.

Delta donated 10 million miles to get its program started, spokeswoman Peggy Estes said. Any active service member in Iraq will be eligible for round-trip "Sky Miles" starting Nov. 1, she said.

---

On the Net:

Rep. C.A. Ruppersberger: http://dutch.house.gov

Delta Air Lines: http://www.delta.com

AP-ES-10-22-03 2201EDT

[TheOtherOne]

Sounds like a great idea!

[zencat]

Major bump for Delta and Southwest!

[Howlin]

Good job!

I just went downstairs and told my mother; she'll donate her Delta miles!

[TheOtherOne]

I am saving my United miles for a honeymoon trip, but I will gladly donate my Delta and SW miles - not many, but pooled with others should get somebody home.

[Brian S]

I hope Northwest joins in...

I have enough for a roundtrip that is as good as given, should they join in!

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Tell her I am emailing you my Skymiles account number right now!

[glorgau]

Tax deductible?

[Howlin]

I'm trying to find out how to donate them!

[Howlin]

I would think!

[TheOtherOne]

http://www.delta.com/home/press/tacindex.jsp?file=8013e0a7_content.html&tactype=Current&tacitem=Release&title=Delta%27s%20%22SkyMiles%20for%20Heroes%22%20Support%27s%20U.S.%20Military%20Rest%20%26%20Relaxation%20Program

[TheOtherOne]

As of Oct. 23, SkyMiles members may donate miles to the SkyMiles for Heroes campaign via Delta’s SkyWish program through Aug. 15, 2004. There is a 5,000-mile minimum donation. Donations can be made via e-mail at delta.bids@delta.com or fax at 404-773-1945. Donations can also be made via the U.S. Postal Service to: Delta Air Lines Inc., SkyMiles Service Center, Dept. 654, P.O. Box 20532, Atlanta, Ga. 30320-2532. SkyMiles members should include their SkyMiles account number, the amount of miles to be donated and note SkyWish SkyMiles for Heroes as their charity of choice. SkyWish donations are not tax deductible for Delta Air Lines or SkyMiles members.

[NonValueAdded]

Ping

[Ciexyz]

cool!

[TheOtherOne]

Sorry guys, not tax deductable. . . . yet

Back to work Dutch!

[Blueflag]

I sent Delta an email about it. I only have 163,000 new miles this year -- not sure I can spare any .... 8-)

[Howlin]

Delta's "SkyMiles for Heroes" Support's U.S. Military Rest & Relaxation Program
SkyMiles® members can donate miles; airline gives 10 million miles to kick off campaign

ATLANTA, Oct. 21, 2003 -Delta Air Lines’ (NYSE:DAL) SkyMiles members may donate miles to support the United States military's Operation Iraqi Freedom Rest and Relaxation (R&R) program, beginning Thursday, Oct. 23. Military personnel will use donated miles when returning home between Nov. 1, 2003 and Sept. 30, 2004.

This is one way for Delta to thank the men and women who are serving our country, said Rob Borden, Delta’s SkyMiles program director. By partnering with our SkyMiles members, we can make a larger impact and ultimately assist more military personnel.

Delta will contribute 10 million miles to the SkyWish SkyMiles for Heroes account to initiate the campaign. Miles donated by SkyMiles members will be added to this account. Miles contributed to this program cannot be designated for specific personnel. Active duty members of the U.S. armed forces stationed in Iraq will be selected by the Combined Forces Land Component Commander (CFLCC) to receive round-trip award tickets once a month. The SkyMiles donated will be exchanged for round-trip tickets for travel between Baltimore-Washington International Airport and destinations in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. As part of the R&R program, the government flies members of the military to Baltimore, and personnel are responsible for any additional domestic travel needed to reach their hometown.

As of Oct. 23, SkyMiles members may donate miles to the SkyMiles for Heroes campaign via Delta’s SkyWish program through Aug. 15, 2004. There is a 5,000-mile minimum donation. Donations can be made via e-mail at delta.bids@delta.com or fax at 404-773-1945. Donations can also be made via the U.S. Postal Service to: Delta Air Lines Inc., SkyMiles Service Center, Dept. 654, P.O. Box 20532, Atlanta, Ga. 30320-2532. SkyMiles members should include their SkyMiles account number, the amount of miles to be donated and note SkyWish SkyMiles for Heroes as their charity of choice. SkyWish donations are not tax deductible for Delta Air Lines or SkyMiles members.

Delta SkyMiles members earn miles by flying Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, Delta Connection, and Delta’s worldwide partners, including the airline’s SkyTeam partners. The program offers additional mileage-building opportunities through SkyMiles partners such as the Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express, AT&T telecommunication services, EarthLink™ Internet services, participating hotels, car rental companies, restaurants, floral purchases and financial, mortgage and realty services. SkyMiles may be redeemed for upgrades, Crown Room Club memberships and Award Travel to more than 400 worldwide destinations.

Delta Air Lines, the world’s second largest airline in terms of passengers carried and the leading U.S. carrier across the Atlantic, offers 5,883 flights each day to 447 destinations in 81 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Express, Delta Shuttle, Delta Connection and Delta’s worldwide partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. For more information, please go to delta.com.

Terms and Conditions: Award tickets may be redeemed for round-trip coach travel valid on published routings from BWI to the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. A portion of travel for some itineraries may be on the Delta Connection carriers: Atlantic Coast Airlines, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Chautauqua, Comair and SkyWest; or codeshare partner American Eagle. Promotion Period: Award tickets must be redeemed and travel must be completed between 11/01/03 and 9/30/04. Eligibility: Offer is nontransferable and valid only for members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty status in Iraq. Reservations / Ticketing: Reservations and ticketing must be completed 72 hours in advance. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or in all markets. Taxes / Fees: Passenger is responsible for all applicable taxes and/or government-imposed fees, which must be paid at the time of ticketing. Tickets are subject to the September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 maximum per round-trip. Miscellaneous: All Delta SkyMiles program rules and conditions apply. This offer is subject to change or withdrawal with 30 days advance notice. It is the responsibility of the passenger to be in possession of all necessary documentation (e.g. valid passport, visa where applicable) at the time of departure from origin. Delta reserves the right to deny boarding to passengers without the proper documentation. Blackout dates: November 26, 30; December 1, 19-21, 26.
Other restrictions may apply.

[Blueflag]

Thanks for posting the link.

I just donated 25,000 miles -- good for one round trip.

(think us this as a FReepathon)

[Blueflag]

us = of


geesh

[OldFriend]

Delta has been helping our servicemen from the very beginning. Nice to know they are still at it!!!

[Howlin]

A FYI and Pass It Along Ping!!!