Now through Jan. 22: Earn 10 AAdvantage miles per dollar when you donate to Red Cross wildfire relief
While tens of thousands of Southern California residents grapple with this week's unprecedented wildfires, the American Airlines AAdvantage program is encouraging frequent flyers to help by offering bonus AAdvantage miles on donations to the American Red Cross for a limited time.
Here's what you need to know about this new offer.
Earn 10 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent on Red Cross donations
You can now earn 10 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent on Red Cross donations when you give $25 or more through this page between now and Jan. 22. You can select where your donation goes: the California wildfires, general disaster relief, the Red Cross' overall efforts (where it's needed most) or local programs in your community.
Since TPG's January 2025 valuations peg AAdvantage miles at 1.65 cents apiece, that's an impressive 16.5% return — in addition to supporting a great cause.
AAdvantage miles are some of the hardest airline miles to earn — especially since AAdvantage ended its partnership with Bilt last year, meaning you can no longer transfer miles from any credit card programs.
The best credit cards for charitable donations
Don't forget that in addition to earning 10 AAdvantage miles per dollar, you can earn valuable rewards on the credit card you use to make your donation. We recommend paying with one of the best cards for donations, such as:
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 2 Capital One miles per dollar spent on all purchases.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees): Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases (or 1.5 Ultimate Rewards points if you also have a higher-end Chase card).
- Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees): Earn 2% cash back on purchases: 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay.
If you'd like to cover your donation with points or miles, your points can currently go further on charitable donations when you use Chase's Pay Yourself Back feature. Instead of the usual 1 cent per point, you can get a value of 1.25 or 1.5 cents per point at select charities, including the American Red Cross, across many Chase cards through March 31.
Bottom line
If you're feeling helpless watching the California fires rage across news screens, donating is an easy way to help — and it's even sweeter when you can maximize the rewards you earn. This is a great opportunity to earn more AAdvantage miles that you can then redeem for off-peak flights to Europe or luxurious business-class seats, among other options.
But don't wait. This offer is only available through Jan. 22 — and the sooner you donate, the sooner those funds can start having an impact.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.