by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 4:54 PM ET, Tue August 29, 2017
To help ramp up support for victims of Hurricane Harvey's devastation, American and United Airlines are offering bonus miles to anyone makes charitable donations.
Members of United Airlines' Mileage Plus who go to the airline's fundraising page and give to the American Red Cross, AmeriCares, Airlink or Operation USA will receive between 250 and 1,000 bonus miles depending on the size of the donation. United said on its website that it will also match the first $200,000 raised through this campaign.
In addition, American Airlines announced that from now through September 24, AAdvantage members will earn 10 bonus miles for every $1 donated to the Red Cross. A minimum $25 donation is required.
According to American Airlines, even small donations to the Red Cross make a difference. For instance, a $20 donation provides breakfast, lunch and dinner. A $30 donation covers the cost of a cleanup kit and comfort supplies for a family of four. Those who can donate $150 provide travel, meals and shelter for one day for a disaster relief volunteer worker.
Those who don't have cash to donate can help in other ways, Time reported, including donating airline miles to the Red Cross. The miles are used to help transport volunteers and also victims. The organization accepts miles from a range of airlines, including American, Delta, Southwest and United.
Airbnb is also offering help, matching hurricane evacuees with homeowners willing to take them in. The service is listing spaces that welcome evacuees at no charge and all service fees are being waived.
Thousands of Texas residents have been rescued to date and many are still waiting to be picked up, CNN reported. The US Coast Guard told CNN yesterday that it was receiving upwards of 1,000 calls per hour.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Stuck at Sea During Hurricane Harvey[/READMORE]
Since midnight Sunday, the Houston Fire Department had received more than 2,300 calls, including 400 calls for rescue Monday afternoon, according to CNN. Four people have died as a result of the catastrophic storm.
United will award the following amount of miles to those making donations to help hurricane victims:
- Donate $50-$99 - Earn 250 bonus miles
- Donate $100-$249 - Earn 500 bonus miles
-Donate $250 or more - Earn 1,000 bonus miles
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