Mileage Plus members donate US$3m to Gulf Coast
United Airlines has announced that its Mileage Plus frequent flyer programme members have aided emergency relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Katrina to the tune of more than US$3 million and 43 million loyalty miles.
The cash donations were made directly to charity partners (the American Red Cross, AmeriCares Foundation, and Operation USA). In turn, United Airlines awarded more than 19 million miles to these Mileage Plus members through a limited-time promotion that gave 500 miles to members who contributed US$50 or more to the charity partners.
Through the airline's Charity Miles programme, Mileage Plus members have already donated more than 700 million miles in total, including the 43 million miles to aid hurricane relief this month.
Practical aid too As a part of the relief effort, United has also sent humanitarian flights into New Orleans, delivering more than 100,000 pounds of supplies, including food and water from Second Harvest and personal care kits from the American Red Cross. Medical personnel were also flown to New Orleans, while outbound flights carried evacuees.
United is now resuming its New Orleans service (starting 4th October 2005), starting with two roundtrip flights and adding two more in November 2005. United's latest statement says the airline will continue to watch the situation in the Gulf region, coordinate humanitarian aid where required, and adjust air services as conditions allow.
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