If you’re a frequent traveler with Alaska Airlines, you might be familiar with their rewards program called Alaska Mileage Plan. This program offers a variety of ways to earn and redeem miles, and in this blog post, we’ll focus on the latter. Specifically, we’ll discuss the best ways to redeem Alaska Mileage Plan miles for maximum value, whether you’re looking to book flights on Alaska Airlines or their partner airlines. Keep reading to learn how to get the most out of your Alaska Mileage Plan redemption!
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Credit Cards To Earn Alaska Airlines Miles
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card and Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card are two credit cards offered by Bank of America. Both cards offer various benefits, including earning miles for purchases, free checked bags, and discounted companion fares. The Visa Signature card offers additional perks, such as a signup bonus and a discounted Alaska Lounge membership, while the Business card provides tools for managing employee expenses and earning rewards on business purchases. Both cards have an annual fee and require good to excellent credit to qualify.
Marriott offers several credit cards that provide various benefits to cardholders. The best Marriott credit cards include the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, and Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card. These cards offer a range of perks, such as earning Marriott Bonvoy points on purchases, free hotel nights, elite status, and travel benefits like TSA PreCheck fee credits.
Additional Ways to Earn Alaska Miles
Alaska Airlines provides travelers with several opportunities to earn Alaska Airlines miles, including through credit cards, shopping portals, travel partners, and flights. By shopping via the Alaska Airlines Shopping Portal or dining at participating restaurants, you can earn miles with ease. Additionally, by flying Alaska Airlines or crediting partner airline flights to your Alaska Mileage Plan account, you can earn miles and potentially benefit from partner airline programs. Alaska also partners with car rental companies and hotels, which allows you to earn miles while you spend. Lastly, you can earn miles by booking a cruise or vacation package with Alaska Airlines. By taking advantage of these opportunities, you can earn miles that can be redeemed for award flights or other travel options.
Basic Alaska Miles Redemption Rules
Alaska Mileage Plan is a rewards program that offers great redemption opportunities. However, there are a few rules to be aware of. Alaska Airlines is a part of the oneworld alliance but has several partners beyond that. You can use your Mileage Plan miles to travel with partners such as American Airlines, Qantas, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and others. The airline’s website has all the information on partners, and award redemption partners can be booked online at alaskaair.com. If you have a complicated itinerary or are having issues with the website, you can call Alaska’s Mileage Plan partner award desk at 800-252-7522.
Alaska Mileage Plan has different award pricing for each partner airline. They no longer publish award charts for each partner airline but rather have a unified award chart that shows the lowest cost for traveling between certain regions. The award pricing on partners hasn’t changed since individual award charts were eliminated.
One of the best things about the Alaska Mileage Plan program is that you are allowed a stopover on a one-way award ticket when traveling between regions. This is possible regardless of which partner you redeem with. If you book a roundtrip as two one-ways, this means you can potentially get two stopovers on a roundtrip ticket.
There are a few things to be aware of when redeeming Alaska miles. First, award pricing is different for each partner airline, and you can only redeem for travel in select regions. Second, you can’t mix and match partners on an award ticket, but rather, you can only travel with one partner. However, you can always fly Alaska Airlines to the gateway on the same award ticket to start an award reservation, assuming there’s saver award availability. Third, there are discrepancies in Alaska’s award inventory. They sometimes do not have access to the same award availability as other partner airlines.
There are a couple of fees associated with redeeming Alaska Mileage Plan miles. There’s a $12.50 partner award booking fee charged each way per passenger and applies to all new partner award bookings. Also, if you book by phone, there’s a $15 service fee, which is waived for MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K members. Alaska Mileage Plan no longer has any change or cancellation fees for award tickets, which gives you lots of flexibility to change your bookings. However, the $12.50 partner award booking fee cannot be refunded. Additionally, Alaska Mileage Plan passes on carrier-imposed surcharges for travel on some partner airlines. Specifically, these apply for travel on British Airways, Hainan Airlines, and Icelandair.
Best Alaska Mileage Plan Redemptions
1. Cathay Pacific US to Africa
Redeeming Alaska Airlines miles for flights on Cathay Pacific is a great way to experience luxury travel. With just 62,500 miles, you can book a one-way business class flight from the US to Africa on Cathay Pacific. Alternatively, for just 70,000 miles, you can book the same flight to Asia in Cathay Pacific first class, which is an experience that is truly one-of-a-kind.
Some possible flights you can book with these miles via a stopover in Hong Kong include Chicago-O’Hare to Johannesburg or San Francisco to Cape Town.
2. Japan Airlines US to Japan
If you’re looking to book a luxurious flight to Japan, redeeming Alaska Airlines miles for flights on Japan Airlines is an excellent option. With 70,000 miles, you can book a one-way first-class flight from the US to Japan on Japan Airlines, which is an experience that is truly unforgettable. With world-class amenities and impeccable service, you’ll enjoy a flight like no other. Additionally, if you prefer business class, you can use 60,000 miles to book the same Japan Airlines flight to Japan.
Some of the flights you can book with these miles include Dallas/Fort Worth to Haneda, Los Angeles to Haneda, and New York-JFK to Haneda.
3. Qantas US to Australia
If you’re planning a trip to Australia, then redeeming Alaska Airlines miles for Qantas flights is a great way to experience premium travel at a reasonable cost. With just 55,000 miles, you can book a one-way business class flight from the US to Australia on Qantas. If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury experience, then consider using 70,000 miles to book a Qantas first-class flight to Australia, but note that finding award space may be more difficult.
Some of the Qantas flights you can book with these miles include Los Angeles to Brisbane, Dallas/Fort Worth to Sydney, and Dallas/Fort Worth to Melbourne.
4. Singapore Airlines US to Asia
Despite belonging to different airline alliances (Alaska Airlines is part of oneworld while Singapore Airlines is part of Star Alliance), the two airlines have a partnership. Alaska Mileage Plan has access to a significant amount of Singapore Airlines’ premium cabin long-haul award space, which is unusual as Singapore Airlines has historically blocked such space for partner programs. The redemption rates for one-way flights on Singapore Airlines through Alaska Mileage Plan are 100,000 miles for business class and 130,000 miles for first class between the United States and Southeast Asia, which may not be considered spectacular but still presents some great opportunities for travelers.
5. Fiji Airways US to Fiji
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan offers a fantastic opportunity to redeem your miles for flights to the South Pacific with Fiji Airways. With just 55,000 miles, you can book a one-way business class flight from the United States to Fiji, or even to New Zealand. To book your flight, simply visit the Alaska Airlines website and search for Fiji Airways flights. From there, you can select your preferred route and travel dates, and use your miles to book your ticket. Some popular routes include Los Angeles to Nadi and San Francisco to Nadi with a connection to Auckland. Whether you’re looking to relax on a tropical island or explore the stunning landscapes of New Zealand, redeeming your Alaska Airlines miles for a Fiji Airways flight is an excellent option to consider.
Alaska Airlines FAQS
What are the redemption options for Alaska Mileage Plan miles?
Alaska Mileage Plan miles can be redeemed for a variety of options, including:
- Flight Awards: You can redeem Alaska Mileage Plan miles for flights on Alaska Airlines and its partner airlines. Redemption rates vary depending on the destination, travel class, and availability.
- Upgrades: You can use Alaska Mileage Plan miles to upgrade your existing reservation to a higher class of service on Alaska Airlines.
- Hotel Stays: You can redeem Alaska Mileage Plan miles for hotel stays at select properties worldwide.
- Car Rentals: You can use Alaska Mileage Plan miles to rent cars from select partners.
What are the rules for redeeming Alaska Mileage Plan miles with partner airlines?
Alaska Mileage Plan allows members to redeem their miles for travel on partner airlines, subject to certain rules and restrictions. Here are some general rules for redeeming Alaska Mileage Plan miles with partner airlines:
- Award availability: Award availability on partner airlines can be limited and may vary depending on the airline and route.
- Mileage requirements: The number of miles required for partner airline awards varies by airline, route, and class of service.
- Booking: Partner airline awards must be booked through Alaska Airlines. Members can either book online or by calling Alaska Airlines reservations.
- Fees and taxes: Partner airline awards are subject to fees and taxes, which vary by airline and destination.
- Stopovers and open-jaws: Depending on the partner airline, stopovers and open-jaws may be allowed on award tickets.
- Changes and cancellations: Changes and cancellations to partner airline awards are subject to fees and restrictions, which vary by airline.
How much does it cost to redeem Alaska Mileage Plan miles for travel?
The cost of redeeming Alaska Mileage Plan miles for travel varies depending on several factors such as the destination, route, airline, class of service, and availability.
Alaska Airlines uses a region-based award chart, and the number of miles required for redemption depends on the region you are traveling to and from.
The cost of redeeming Alaska Mileage Plan miles for partner airline travel can vary widely and is subject to partner airline award charts and availability.
Alaska Airlines also offers a range of redemption options for hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses. The cost of these redemptions can vary depending on the partner and the specific redemption option.
Can Alaska Mileage Plan miles be used for upgrades on Alaska Airlines flights?
Yes, Alaska Mileage Plan miles can be used for upgrades on Alaska Airlines flights, subject to availability and certain rules. Upgrades can be requested using a combination of miles and cash or using miles alone. The number of miles required for an upgrade depends on the route, fare class, and availability. Upgrades are subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or for all fare classes. It’s also important to note that upgrades are generally only available for Alaska Airlines-operated flights, not partner airlines.
What are the fees associated with redeeming Alaska Mileage Plan miles?
When redeeming Alaska Mileage Plan miles, there are certain fees that may apply, including:
- Taxes and fees: When redeeming miles for a flight, you’ll still have to pay taxes and fees, which can vary depending on the route and airline.
- Change and cancellation fees: If you need to change or cancel your award ticket, there may be fees associated with doing so.
- Close-in booking fees: If you book a flight within 21 days of departure, there may be a close-in booking fee.
- Partner airline fees: When redeeming miles for travel on a partner airline, there may be additional fees that apply, such as fuel surcharges.
Alaska Airlines Miles Conclusion
In conclusion, the Alaska Mileage Plan is a valuable loyalty program for travelers who fly with Alaska Airlines and their partner airlines. With various redemption options such as flights, hotels, car rentals, and more, members can use their accumulated miles to make their travel experiences more enjoyable and affordable. The program’s partnership with several airlines and hotels worldwide opens up a range of possibilities for travelers to redeem their miles globally. Overall, Alaska Mileage Plan is a loyalty program worth considering for those who frequently travel with Alaska Airlines and their partners. With the program’s flexibility and numerous redemption options, members can earn and redeem miles to make their travel experiences more rewarding.
Have you ever redeemed Alaska Mileage Plan miles for travel or other rewards? What was your experience like? Do you have any tips or tricks for maximizing the value of your miles? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below or feel free to reach out to me via my contact page.
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