Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
FREQUENT FLYER GLOSSARY
What are miles donations?
Miles donation (also called donating miles to charity, charity miles or a charitable miles donation) is a term for miles given to a charitable organisation.
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Definition. Miles donation is a term for miles given to a charitable organisation.
- Gift and transfer options. American Airlines' AAdvantage programme pages list buying, gifting and transferring miles among the options. [2]
- United transfer rules. United's MileagePlus Rules state that accrued mileage is not property of the member and is not transferable except as set out in those rules; they name the Transfer Miles Program as one route and prohibit sale, barter or other transfer outside what United authorises. [5]
- Award redeposit. United's rules provide for redeposit of award miles when an award is cancelled or returned under the applicable rules, subject to a service charge; some awards are stated not to be eligible. [5]
How can miles move under programme rules?
United's MileagePlus Rules set out limits on how accrued mileage can move. Awards and benefits, including accrued mileage, do not constitute property of the member and are not transferable except as set out in those rules. [5] The rules say accrued mileage may be transferred to another MileagePlus account through United's Transfer Miles Program, and that members must comply with that programme's terms and conditions. [5] They also prohibit the sale, barter or other transfer of any mileage, certificates, PlusPoints, awards, benefits or status other than as authorised and/or sponsored by United. [5]
What happens if an award is cancelled or returned?
United's rules say that when an award is redeemed but then subsequently cancelled or returned in accordance with the applicable rules and/or ticketed fare rules at that time, the member's award miles taken in connection therewith will be redeposited into the member's account, subject to a service charge. [5] The rules add that some awards may not be eligible for redeposit of miles and will so state. [5]
Is donating miles the same as gifting miles?
No. A donation is a general term for miles given to a charitable organisation. American Airlines' AAdvantage programme pages list buying, gifting and transferring miles among the options. [2] United's MileagePlus Rules say accrued mileage may be transferred to another MileagePlus account through United's Transfer Miles Program, whose terms and conditions apply. [5] The rules also prohibit the sale, barter or other transfer of any mileage other than as authorised and/or sponsored by United. [5]
The member-to-member side is covered under gift miles.
Exceptions and limits
- Ways miles leave an account under United's rules. United's rules say accrued mileage stays in the account until it is redeemed for an award or otherwise forfeited under the rules (including the Contract of Carriage and fare rules), for prohibited conduct, under applicable law, on a member-requested account closure, on the member's death, or where a member fails to respond to repeated communications about the account. [5]
- Transfers outside the rules. United warns that mileage sold, bartered or otherwise transferred in breach of its rules may lead to remedies against the accounts involved, and that acquiring or using miles obtained that way can do the same. [5]
- Award cancellations and returns. United's rules provide that redeposited award miles may be subject to a service charge, and that some awards may not be eligible for redeposit. [5]
Sources
Sources checked on 18 October 2026.
- AAdvantage program overview, American Airlines, checked 18 October 2026
- MileagePlus Rules, United Airlines, checked 18 October 2026