How to Use Frequent Flyer Points In Your Giving Program

If your business involves regular travel, chances are you’ve accumulated a healthy stash of frequent flyer points. What many don’t realise is that those points are more than perks, they’re a valuable asset that can be used for good.

Whether it’s helping a charity get to where they need to go or funding a cause that matters to you, your unused points can create meaningful impact. In this article, we’ll explore practical and creative ways to use your frequent flyer points to give back.

1. Donate Points to Charities Directly

Many major frequent flyer programs, like Qantas Frequent Flyer or Virgin Velocity allow you to donate points directly to partner charities. This is one of the simplest ways to convert unused rewards into real-world impact.

Causes include:
- Emergency relief
- Youth mentoring and education
- Health and cancer care
- Animal protection

Pro tip: Set a calendar reminder to review your points every few months, especially if they are with a program where they may expire. Even small balances can make a big difference.

2. Book Flights for Charity Partners or Volunteers

If you work closely with a nonprofit, consider using your points to cover travel costs for their staff, guest speakers, or volunteers. This can ease budget pressure for organisations that operate with limited funds.

Examples:
- A charity leader travelling to a national conference
- A volunteer flying to support a regional outreach event

- A family member of a person in need to reach their relative
- A guest speaker attending your business event or workshop

This kind of support is practical, appreciated, and often difficult for nonprofits to fund on their own.

3. Fund Travel for Impactful Experiences

Use your points to support experiences that align with your business values, like sending a team member on an overseas volunteering mission, or funding travel for a purpose-aligned initiative.

These trips can:
- Strengthen employee engagement and purpose
- Provide authentic content for sharing your giving story
- Deepen your relationship with nonprofit partners

Think of it as combining ‘purpose’ with ‘people development’.

4. Create a “Points Bank” Pledge

Start a shared giving initiative by encouraging your team, or even your customers to pool their points toward a single cause. For example:

- 100,000 points = one flight for a sick child to receive treatment
- 200,000 points = travel for a charity team to deliver aid in a remote region of Australia

With a clear goal, this can become a rallying point that brings your workplace or community together.

5. Offset Business Travel with Purpose

If your team travels frequently, balance the environmental or ethical cost by using a portion of those earned points to give back. You can set a simple rule:

- For every 10,000 points earned, 1,000 are donated to a nominated charity
- Use half of all points earned in Q4 to fund a giving initiative

This approach turns everyday business activity into a force for good without changing how you operate.

Final Thoughts

Frequent flyer points are often overlooked as a vehicle for impact. But when used strategically, they can unlock experiences, access, and funding that many nonprofits simply can’t afford on their own.

You don’t need to wait until you’ve earned a million points. Start small, start intentionally and you’ll be surprised how much good you can do just by putting your unused travel rewards to work.

This is general guidance. Want to know more? For tailored support on embedding giving into your business model, book a consult here - it’s how we give back.