Your Unused Miles Could Help California Wildfire Relief Efforts — What to Know

If you’re looking to help the thousands of people affected by the fires in Southern California, your unused miles could help. 

After making a $100,000 donation to two local non-profits (the LA Regional Food Bank and California Fire Foundation) United is offering to match donations of MileagePlus members. 

The airline says it will match up to five million miles and $150,000. Members of its rewards program can donate their miles here, and must be made by Jan. 31 at 11:59 p.m. for a minimum of 1,000 miles. Some of the groups available via the website include Airlink, American Red Cross, Airlink, Good360, World Central Kitchen, California Fire Foundation and Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

United Airlines also launched a campaign for MileagePlus members to donate cash, called Southern California Wildfires Support. Donations should be made to the organizations featured on this link.

Similarly, American Airlines announced that AAdvantage members who donate $25 or more using this link on its website to the American Red Cross will earn 10 AAdvantage miles per dollar. For example, a $100 donation translates to 1,000 miles and a $500 donation translates to $5000 miles. This offer is only available until Jan. 22. There’s a specific option on a pull-down menu one fills out while submitting the donation to designate the donation be used for California Wildfires, helping those affected by the 2025 fires in Southern California.

Through Jan. 17, Alaska Airlines’ CARE Miles program will match, up to five million miles, any mileage donation sent through American Red Cross’ Disaster Relief Pool. Donations should be made using this link. These miles are used, says the airline, to help transport medical staff and volunteers to Los Angeles County, where their assistance is needed to support victims. Donations from Mileage Plan members have a 1,000 miles minimum. For those with HawaiianMiles, these can be transferred 1:1 to an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account using this link.

In addition, Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines donated $100,000 to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation last week. Delta Air Lines announced a $1 million grant to the American Red Cross from The Delta Air Lines Foundation.