Alaska Airlines donates to Nepal relief; offers customers opportunity to join

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines has provided a $10,000 donation to Medical Teams International (MTI) to provide disaster relief in Nepal in the wake of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck April 25.

"For 35 years, Medical Teams International has provided aid around the world - and here at home, by sending teams of volunteer medical professionals and medical supplies to respond to disasters," Shaunta Hyde, Alaska's managing director of community relations, said in a statement announcing the donation. "We are proud to partner with this wonderful Northwest organization, and encourage our customers to join us in our support by donating their miles.”

Screen shot of Mileage Plan landing page

Mileage Plan members can donate accrued miles in increments of 1,000 miles by logging on to their account at AlaskaAir.com, clicking the Mileage Plan tab at the upper right, then the link to “Buy & Share Miles” under Mileage Plan Miles, as indicated by the red check marks on the screen shot to the right.

On the next page, the Buy & Share Miles page, scroll down to the panel titled “Donate Miles to a Worthy Cause” and click the “Donate Miles” button.

On the third page, "Donate Your Miles Online to These Great Causes," click the "Donate" button on the right, which will open a fourth page, the Charity Miles Donation Form shown below. On that screen, choose Medical Teams International from the charities listed.

Charity Miles Donation page

MTI provides critical help to people who are suffering all over the world through humanitarian and medical aid, providing medical and dental care, disaster relief and development assistance in many of the world's most vulnerable communities. A team of medical volunteers and MTI staff will depart Portland International Airport (PDX) bound for Nepal at 10:15 a.m., Pacific daylight time. The group will provide medical relief and supplies.

Alaska Airlines (NYSE:ALK) has provided substantial support to MTI including more than $250,000 in in-kind donations over the past three years. In addition, Alaska and its Mileage Plan members have donated millions of miles to MTI for medical and other relief missions, including 2.5 million miles donated in 2014, the airline said.

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