Man uses thousands of air miles to fly strangers home for Christmas

A kind-hearted frequent flier is offering to help those in need get home to their families for Christmas using his spare air miles.

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Peter Shankman estimates he has flown 350,000 miles this year while travelling the world as an entrepreneur, author and professional keynote speaker, building up a large stash of air miles. After doling them out to friends and family, he thought he would try and help some people out who can't afford a flight home for the holidays.

Can't afford to go home for the holidays? Maybe I can help you out. (Again.)

In a post on image-sharing site Imgur, Peter explained: "I'd like to send at least two, (hopefully three or four or more) Imgurians home for the holidays this year, because I like making people smile."

The flights must be internal in the US and available on a United Airlines flight. To get a chance at their Christmas dreams coming true, users must create a post on Imgur saying why they, or a nominated person, needs a flight.

The popular website has pitched in to help Peter in his quest to help people out this Christmas, creating a new category Home for the Holidays especially for posts from those needing help.

"I believe that if you've had any modicum of success, you have a responsibility to give back," Peter told us. "This way seems to work."

So how will the winners be chosen? Well, that's up to the Imgur community, who will 'upvote' their favourite posts. The most popular ones win.

It isn't the first time this wonderful man has done his fellow Imgur users a fantastic favour. Last year he used his air miles to help three users get to their families.

Other Imgur users have also started to join in the admirable endeavour. After the post above, user @watdapho bought this father a ticket home to his family for Christmas.