American AAdvantage has long had a partnership with Stand Up To Cancer, which is a fantastic charity. At the moment, donating to Stand Up To Cancer can be particularly lucrative.
In this post:
Earn AAdvantage miles on cancer research donations
American AAdvantage ordinarily offers 10x miles when donating to Stand Up To Cancer. Between August 15 and September 30, 2024, these donations can be much more rewarding:
- When donating $25 or more, you can earn 25x AAdvantage miles per dollar donated
- When donating $25-10,000 using an American AAdvantage Mastercard issued in the United States, you can earn 50x AAdvantage miles per dollar donated
While there’s no cap on the number of donations on which American will offer 25x miles, the 50x miles is only available for the first $3 million in eligible donations. I imagine the website will be updated if/when that cap is reached.
Note that the miles earned through this offer are AAdvantage redeemable miles, and wouldn’t count as Loyalty Points.
This is a rewarding opportunity to do good
If you have an eligible credit card, you could essentially be buying American AAdvantage miles for two cents each. Is that a rate at which I’d proactively pick them up? No, probably not. However, it’s a great opportunity if you want to acquire miles while also doing good, and it’s even lower than the cost at which American usually sells AAdvantage miles. Cancer research is of course a worthwhile cause.
Personally I value AAdvantage miles at ~1.5 cents each, so as far as I’m concerned, you’re getting a 75% “return” on your donations in the form of miles. Other people will value miles differently, and can do their own math.
Some people may wonder if these donations are tax deductible. You’ll want to consult your tax professional, but the terms state the following:
For charitable deduction purposes, each mile is valued at 3 cents per mile. The receipt of miles may reduce the tax deductibility of your contribution.
A valuation of three cents per mile would put the reward at higher than the donation amount (for those earning 50x miles). I suppose you could dispute the value of miles, but still, most wouldn’t be looking at getting a significant tax benefit here.
Bottom line
At the moment, you can earn up to 50x AAdvantage miles when donating to Stand Up To Cancer. This is a way to acquire AAdvantage miles for two cents each while doing good, so it’s something worth considering. I plan to make a donation, and encourage others to as well.
Is anyone getting a donation receipt which can be used as "contemporaneous written acknowledgment " so that the value of the miles can be deducted from an itemized tax return?
Follow up donation receipt notes that:
Described bonus miles are expected to be posted to your account by December 19, 2024.
Still a worthy cause, but tough to wait up to 4 months for the miles!
Couple of data points
The service charge/fee is not mandatory it is optional
You can uncheck it and not pay the fee
It looked mandatory when I first saw it
Also the business AA Master card is ok to earn the 50 points per dollar as well
as their non business cards
Cheapskates. If they were truely supporting cancer they could have made it 3 = $1 and money would have flooded in.
Didn't post that right, but you know what I mean. Just landing, typing too fast.
Donated a $100 - you did get charged an additional 4.9% service fee for $104.90.
Plus it gives you the option to put in your company name and they check if they match contributions.
How much was the multiplier a few years ago when a similar but better deal came along that lots of people used and was quickly shut down?
Thanks for the heads up. Just donated.
At 2 cents a mile without LPs included, I don't see the case unless you are passionate about cancer research.
It's comical they are claiming they are worth 3-cents per point when you are buying them for 2-cents and they still have a business to run in hopes of funding cancer research.
Thank you so much for this information. This is very helpful and I plan on donating.