Richardson resident Allen Walton, 38, didn’t expect much when he posted on X Tuesday, offering to help anyone who couldn’t afford a plane ticket home for Thanksgiving.
Within hours, his inbox filled with messages, pleas for help from strangers. By Wednesday afternoon, he had already booked four flights for people who contacted him, using his own points and miles.
An entrepreneur who runs an e-commerce business called SpyGuy, Walton said he began doing this almost a decade ago after hearing a podcast named Abroaders with a segment encouraging people with extra miles to help others travel home for the holidays.
“I thought it was really cool,” he told The Dallas Morning News in an interview Wednesday. “I just kept doing it every year.”
One request stood out: An American man living abroad in South Korea hadn’t seen his family in 10 years.
Walton wasn’t sure he’d be able to find a seat for a last-minute international trip. He stayed up late waiting for the traveler to respond so he could book the ticket as soon as possible. He was able to find one.
Karen Walton, 38, said she wasn’t surprised when her husband told her years ago that he had booked flights for strangers during the holidays.
“When he first told me, I thought it was incredibly generous,” she said. “But honestly, it was completely in line with who he is.”
Walton said he no longer travels as much after having three children, which leaves him with more miles than he needs.
“It adds up,” he said. “I probably have over a million miles.”
This year’s effort to pay it forward almost didn’t happen.
Walton’s family lost their home in a fire last year, and he wasn’t able to offer flights then. His house remains in disrepair, but he decided to post again anyway.“I almost didn’t post it because sometimes nobody responds,” he said.
Karen said she watched him debate whether to help this year. “Even after everything we’ve gone through, he still thinks about helping other people,” she said. “Most people would pull back, but he didn’t.”
Jeff Pecaro, 40, who has been friends with Walton since 2014, said his reaction to this year’s post was even stronger than the first time Walton told him he was giving away flights.
“Most people use their miles to upgrade their own flights and post photos from business class,” he said. “Allen takes the same resources and asks, ‘How can I get someone home?’ That tells you everything about who he is.”
He said Walton’s personality often hides his accomplishments. “If you met him, you’d never guess he’s running a successful business or sitting on millions of miles,” he said. “He’s incredibly laid-back, funny and has zero ego about anything.”
Walton vets requests to make sure they’re legitimate, he says. He checks account history, past posts and public information before booking a flight.
“With brand-new accounts, you can’t verify anything,” he said. “So I look for a little history.”
The offer has gained far more likes and comments than actual requests, he said, and almost everyone who has reached out has received a ticket.
Walton said he hopes to repeat the effort for the Christmas holiday. Several people with even more miles than he has have contacted him to help, he said.
“I’m a real person,” he said. “I try to do this every year. And now I think more people want to join in.”
Richardson man uses his travel miles to fly strangers home for Thanksgiving
