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It's safe to say that the coronavirus (COVID-19) is on everybody's mind right now. With the United States now surpassing every other country in the world on the total number of confirmed cases, all of us are wondering what we can do to help.
One of the best things you can do—aside from practicing social distancing—is to donate money to the American Red Cross. The Red Cross is on the frontlines of over 60,000 disasters every year, and the coronavirus crisis is no exception. It's dedicating its resources towards the COVID-19 response, helping to provide support for blood drives and critical relief services through trained Red Cross personnel.
American Airlines Partnership
American Airlines and the American Red Cross have had a long-standing relationship, and now the two are teaming up against the coronavirus pandemic. AA is now offering an incentive for its loyalty members to donate. For a limited time, American will award 10X AA miles per dollar for every donation of $25 or more.
The list of terms is pretty brief, but there are a couple of things worth noting:
- Donate between now and April 30, 2020
- Donations must be $25 or more
- You must provide your AAdvantage number to earn bonus miles
- Bonus miles will appear in your account 30-45 days after donation
There are a lot of things to like about this offer. In addition to the inherent benefit of providing crucial financial aid to a worthy cause, you'll also be receiving a roughly 15% return on your spending—depending on how you value AA miles.
Also, these deductions—after subtracting the fair market value of the miles received—are tax-deductible. Even if you don't itemize your deductions, the COVID-19 stimulus package lets taxpayers deduct $300 of charitable contributions starting in 2020.
Use the Right Card
Since we're all stuck at home for the foreseeable future, some may be struggling to reach the minimum spend requirement for a new credit card sign-up bonus. A donation to the Red Cross can be a great way to cross that threshold while earning a solid amount of miles.
However, if you're not currently trying to meet a minimum spend requirement, then it's best to use a good all-around/general-spend credit card. Some of our favorites include The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, the Citi® Double Cash Card, or the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
Final Thoughts
The American Red Cross is on the front lines of COVID-19, helping to maintain a sufficient supply of blood for patients as well as providing critical relief services where we need it most. It's great to see that—even amidst the undeniable financial turmoil that it's facing—American Airlines is continuing its partnership with the Red Cross to help those in need due to the pandemic.
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This is a great way to keep your miles from expiring. Use up Visa gift cards too.
Good Cause and good benefit. Out of curiosity, wouldn’t using a card that gives double points or miles for donations also give you those double points, in addition to the 10X Advantage miles?
A good way to help prevent miles from expiring and helping a good cause at the same time. Nice!
Is there a way to directly donate AA miles for COVID-19? Appears to be only 3 options for donation from their site Miles for Our Social Good, Miles for Our Well-Being and Miles for Our Heroes
Such a good way to support.
Good idea to motivate travellers to help donate in this unfortunate situation,
Glad,to see this on your blog. I received in email but mistakenly deleted. Is anyone else getting a bit flustered by all the COV updated from our airlines and credit cards and everything else???
Great incentive!!! In such difficult times people and companies need to come together to fight the pandemic and help those on the front lines. This initiative was expected to multiply among the other airlines.
Even without a bonus a Red Cross donation is a must do at this time. Thank you for highlighting this effort.
An actual blood donation is a must do as well. Folks aren’t going to blood drives because of the shelter in place orders, so the Red Cross has had to push for donations, unfortunately. (Confirm that you’re eligible to donate before you signup and head over, as a few subsets of folks aren’t for different reasons.)
A very good proposal. I hope someone does the same thing in my country.
I’m taking this as a sign that AA anticipates the economy bouncing back and thus the miles won’t suffer a devaluation any time soon. This is great news since I just got started in this game and I’d hate to see everything I’ve built over the past few months go to waste.
I really hope AA doesn’t devalue, too, but I’m not sure how this promotion demonstrates this. If anything the more they issue miles generously, the more I worry about the need for devaluation later.
Kudos to AA on this. Sure, there’s plenty of PR, etc here…but good for them to at least help encourage people.
Lots of good causes out there and with people not having jobs not sure how much people will want to be giving.
The US will definitely overcome the crisis.
Excellent proposal, I already made my donation. The Red Cross is a noble entity and we have to offer our contribution.
Donation + 10 + AA miles + new card bonus + tax rebates… not a bad combo.
It is a great way to top the account up, but nothing more.
Obviously there are many ways to help during this difficult time, and while I hope folks will “spread the wealth” between causes and charities, I have to say, it is nice for the “giver” to be rewarded/rebated for the donation.
this is a nice way to support and earn!
Does the points activity count toward restarting the 18 month (or however long it is with American Airlines (point expiration clock?
there is no reason why should not.
Donations have always worked for this purpose for me in the past.