American and United Airlines Launch Separate Sweeps

American Airlines and United Airlines are each using sweepstakes to drum up customers and charitable donations.

American, in a regional promotion, offers Chicago residents the "You, Your Friends and a Plane" sweeps. The winner can invite up to 99 friends and virtually take over an entire plane. The plane will depart from O'Hare International Airport and the winner and his/her guests will choose a weekend in Las Vegas, Miami, New York or Los Angeles.

Chicago residents can enter the sweeps through Nov. 29 at www.aa.com/yourplane.

The sweeps benefits AA's Miles for Kids in Need program. For every online entry, a donation of 25 AAdvantage miles (up to 1 million miles) will be made to the charity, which provides free travel to ill children and their families.

"It's a great way to kick off the holiday season, and a wonderful opportunity to support Miles for Kids in the important work it does," said Dan Garton, American's executive VP-marketing. American handles in-house.

Separately, United Airlines is offering a sweeps to promote its UnitedEscapes program. The sweeps, which began Oct. 31, will end Dec. 31. "Escape From it All" awards travel packages to three consumers.

Winners can build a UnitedEscapes package to Hawaii, Las Vegas or Paris. The prize will include round-trip air, hotel and car rental. The vacation lengths vary with each destination or vacation package chosen.

The sweeps will be promoted on www.united.com and also through third party banner ads.

"The UnitedEscapes program enables travelers to build their own travel package for that last minute getaway," said Susan Quick, United Airlines marketing director.

Visitors can register at www.united.com/escapessweeps for a chance to win. Winners will be announced in Jan. United handles the sweeps in-house, fulfillment is taken care of by ePrize, Farmington Hills. MI.