Regardless of being smaller than the Massive Three legacy carriers, Alaska Airways has gained reputation amongst American vacationers due to its loyalty program, Mileage Plan.
As a member of Oneworld, this system presents quite a few high-value partnerships with airways like American Airways, British Airways and Cathay Pacific. Moreover, it has nonalliance partnerships with airways corresponding to Icelandair, Singapore Airways and LATAM, offering a variety of choices for incomes and utilizing miles.
Furthermore, Alaska Airways acquired Hawaiian Airways in a joint merger, and the service is planning a main overhaul of its Mileage Plan program in 2025. Whereas some particulars have been unveiled, together with new milestone perks and status-earning choices, extra program particulars might be introduced throughout the subsequent six to 9 months.
This information will talk about the ins and outs of how one can at the moment redeem Alaska miles, particulars on its elite standing program and extra.
Alaska Airways Mileage Plan overview
Mileage Plan is Alaska Airways’ frequent flyer program. You earn Alaska miles by flying with Alaska or its accomplice airways. This system additionally presents extra incomes companions, corresponding to a purchasing portal, eating program and cobranded bank cards. When you accumulate miles, you possibly can redeem them for journey on Alaska or its companions.
Mileage Plan contains an elite standing program with 4 tiers: MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K. Every tier contains upgrades, most well-liked seating and bonus mileage earned on Alaska flights. Elite members additionally take pleasure in restricted advantages on Hawaiian Airways, American Airways and different Oneworld companions.
Associated: 6 nice advantages I acquired as an American Airways elite flying Alaska Airways
Alaska Airways companions
Alaska Airways is thought for its enormous suite of airline companions, which incorporates airways in Oneworld and different alliances.
Oneworld alliance companions
Alaska joined Oneworld in late March 2021. Because of this the airline is now a accomplice with these airways:
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- American Airways
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Fiji Airways (Oneworld Join)
- Finnair
- Iberia
- Japan Airways
- Malaysia Airways
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian Airways
- SriLankan Airways
Nonalliance airline companions
Alaska has partnered with airways outdoors Oneworld for years now. We’re hopeful these nonalliance partnerships will stay long-term now that Alaska is a Oneworld airline, however solely time will inform. Here is the complete record of Alaska’s different airline companions to earn and redeem miles with:
- Aer Lingus
- Air Tahiti Nui
- Condor
- Hainan Airways
- Icelandair
- Korean Air
- LATAM
- Oman Air
- Porter Airways
- Singapore Airways
- Starlux Airways
Associated: Alaska-Hawaiian merger will shield frequent flyer miles as a part of main DOT settlement
Alaska Airways elite standing
Alaska Airways has 4 elite standing tiers. In 2024, Alaska modified the way in which clients earn elite standing and not requires members to fly a minimal variety of Alaska flights. To qualify, you want to earn a set variety of elite qualifying miles.
| Standing tier | Required variety of EQMs |
|---|---|
| MVP | 20,000 |
| MVP Gold | 40,000 |
| MVP Gold 75K | 75,000 |
| MVP Gold 100K | 100,000 |
With Alaska and Hawaiian Airways’ merger, the carriers are additionally providing an elite standing match right now.
| In case you have: | You may be matched to: |
|---|---|
| Alaska Airways Mileage Plan MVP standing | HawaiianMiles Pualani Gold standing |
| Alaska Airways Mileage Plan MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K or MVP Gold 100K standing | HawaiianMiles Pualani Platinum standing |
| HawaiianMiles Pualani Gold standing | Alaska Airways Mileage Plan MVP standing |
| HawaiianMiles Pualani Platinum standing | Alaska Airways Mileage Plan MVP Gold standing |
Plus, for those who’re near qualifying for elite standing, the airways are providing members the chance to mix their elite qualifying miles to realize standing.
| Mixed EQM stability: | Standing you will get with Mileage Plan: | Standing you will get with HawaiianMiles: |
|---|---|---|
| 20,000 EQMs | MVP | Pualani Gold |
| 40,000 EQMs | MVP Gold | Pualani Platinum |
| 75,000 EQMs | MVP Gold 75K | Pualani Platinum |
| 100,000 EQMs | MVP Gold 100K | Pualani Platinum |
Although Alaska and Hawaiian plan to unite underneath one loyalty program in 2025, no particulars have been launched right now on the upcoming elite standing tiers, qualification necessities and/or advantages.
Learn extra about all of the advantages of Alaska Airways elite standing.
Methods to earn Alaska miles
Although incomes Alaska miles was tougher because the airline is just not instantly related to main bank card packages like American Categorical Membership Rewards and Chase Final Rewards, the service introduced a partnership with Bilt Rewards in March.
Plus, since merging with Hawaiian Airways, Amex members can now switch their Membership Rewards factors to HawaiianMiles after which switch these miles to Mileage Plan at a 1:1 charge. Nonetheless, in an interview with TPG, Brett Catlin, Alaska’s vp of loyalty, alliances and gross sales, hinted that this switch possibility will not be round within the foreseeable future.
“Our intent is to not have a transferable foreign money the place company can earn throughout competitor playing cards, to be completely trustworthy,” he famous.
Moreover, you possibly can nonetheless earn miles by flying with numerous airline companions. Alaska Airways additionally presents two cobranded bank cards, a purchasing portal and a eating rewards program that can assist you accumulate extra miles.
Earn miles when flying with Alaska Airways
Mileage Plan is an airline loyalty program, so naturally, you possibly can earn if you fly with Alaska Airways.
In contrast to different main U.S. airways, Alaska continues to award miles based mostly on the precise size of a flight. You may earn 1 mile per 1 bodily mile flown in normal financial system. Saver tickets earn 30% of the miles flown. A one-way flight from San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO) to John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) earns 2,586 miles in normal financial system, as that is how lengthy the flight is.
First-class tickets obtain a minimal 50% mileage bonus, leading to greater mileage earnings. For instance, a flight from SFO to JFK would earn 3,879 redeemable miles. Be aware that this bonus applies solely to paid first-class tickets, not upgrades. Elite members additionally earn bonus miles on all Alaska flights. As an example, an MVP Gold 75K member flying from SFO to JFK in top quality would earn 5,818 miles with their 125% bonus.
Bonus miles can accumulate shortly for frequent vacationers. Moreover, higher-fare financial system lessons supply bonus miles, though they could be dearer than normal financial system tickets. You possibly can seek advice from Alaska’s web site for extra details about incomes Alaska miles on Alaska flights.
Associated: The airline miles which are hardest to earn — and why you need them anyway
Credit score accomplice flights to Mileage Plan
You possibly can credit score accomplice flights to Mileage Plan, permitting you to earn each redeemable and elite qualifying miles. The miles earned rely upon the airline, flight size and fare class. To find out the incomes ranges, go to Alaska’s accomplice web page and find the incomes chart for the precise accomplice and fare class. Multiply your flight’s distance by the proportion within the “Miles earned (whole)” column.
For flights operated by accomplice airways with Alaska “AS” flight numbers, all flights observe the incomes construction beneath:
Nonetheless, beginning in 2025, Alaska is providing members who e book worldwide first- and business-class tickets on companions the chance to earn extra miles when reserving by way of Alaskaair.com. However beginning in 2025, for those who e book tickets by way of a accomplice web site, you’ll earn much less Alaska miles.
Take a look at the 2025 incomes charts right here.
Spend on an Alaska Airways bank card
Alaska Airways has two cobranded bank cards with Financial institution of America: a private card and a enterprise card.
These allow you to earn Alaska miles in your on a regular basis spending and supply stable welcome bonuses. The playing cards embrace different inflight advantages, together with an annual Companion Fare that helps offset their annual charges.
Alaska Airways Visa Signature® bank card: The Alaska Airways Visa bank card is Alaska’s private bank card. New cardholders should buy one Alaska Airways ticket and get one for simply the taxes and costs ranging from $23 ($0 fare), plus 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 or extra on purchases throughout the first 90 days of account opening. This card earns 3 miles per greenback spent on eligible Alaska purchases; 2 miles per greenback on eligible fuel, EV charging station, cable, streaming companies and native transit (together with journey share) purchases; and 1 mile per greenback spent in all places else. You additionally get a free checked bag on all Alaska flights and 20% again on inflight purchases.
Alaska Airways Visa® Enterprise card: The Alaska Airways Visa Enterprise card is solely the enterprise model of the non-public Alaska card. Get 50,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and costs from $23) after making $3,000 or extra in purchases throughout the first 90 days of opening your account. The cardboard earns 3 miles per greenback spent on eligible Alaska Airways purchases; 2 miles per greenback on eligible fuel, EV charging station, transport and native transit (together with journey share) purchases; and 1 mile per greenback spent on all different purchases.
Plus, for cardholders of the enterprise or private Alaska bank card, beginning Jan. 1, 2025, you’ll earn 1 elite qualifying mile for each $3 spent (as much as 30,000 EQMs annually).
Associated: Alaska Airways Visa Enterprise card overview: Good for frequent Alaska enterprise vacationers
Switch Bilt Factors
Bilt Rewards members can now switch factors to Alaska Mileage Plan at a 1:1 ratio. That is enormous information for award vacationers, as Marriott Bonvoy factors are the one different main transferable foreign money that transfers to Alaska Mileage Plan.
Alaska Airways cardholders can earn 3 miles per greenback spent (on as much as $50,000 yearly) when utilizing their Alaska Airways Visa bank card to pay lease by way of Bilt.
Switch HawaiianMiles to Alaska Mileage Plan
Following the merger of the 2 carriers, HawaiianMiles could be transferred to Alaska Mileage Plan at a 1:1 charge. Since Alaska is a part of Oneworld alliance, this opens up a slew of redemption companions, corresponding to American Airways.
Moreover, Hawaiian Airways is at the moment a switch accomplice of Amex Membership Rewards; Amex factors could be transferred to HawaiianMiles at a 1:1 charge. Nonetheless, as talked about earlier, it is protected to say that the Amex switch possibility will ultimately grow to be out of date.
If you have already got the Alaska bank cards in your pockets, chances are you’ll need to contemplate opening a Hawaiian Airways cobranded bank card. In the event you’re trying to safe a big sum of Hawaiian and/or Alaska miles, these Hawaiian Airways playing cards are at the moment providing the next welcome bonuses.
- Hawaiian Airways® World Elite Mastercard®: Earn 70,000 bonus HawaiianMiles after spending $2,000 on purchases throughout the first 90 days.
- Hawaiian Airways® Enterprise Mastercard®: Earn 50,000 bonus HawaiianMiles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 90 days.
The knowledge for the Hawaiian Mastercard and Hawaiian Enterprise Mastercard has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Different methods to earn Alaska miles
You possibly can earn miles utilizing the Mileage Plan Buying portal when purchasing on-line and the Mileage Plan Eating program when eating out.
On the purchasing aspect, Mileage Plan Buying awards bonus miles everytime you click on by way of the Alaska portal earlier than making an internet buy. It presents bonus miles with tons of of various retailers, together with Apple and Saks Fifth Avenue. Every service provider awards a special variety of miles per greenback spent, and charges can fluctuate continuously.
Be careful for purchasing portal offers provided by Mileage Plan Buying. It often runs limited-time bonuses the place you possibly can earn further miles by spending a particular sum of money.
Mileage Plan Eating is one other alternative to earn bonus miles. Create an account on the Mileage Plan Eating web site and hyperlink your bank cards. You may earn Alaska factors and miles out of your bank card by eating at collaborating eating places. Use a card that gives bonus factors on eating for max advantages.
The miles you earn rely in your Mileage Plan Eating membership tier. These embrace:
- Primary members: 1 mile per 2 {dollars} spent
- Choose members: 3 miles per greenback spent, earned after you enroll in e mail communications from Mileage Plan Eating
- VIP members: 5 miles per greenback spent, earned after you enroll in e mail communications and dine at collaborating eating places 11 instances in a calendar yr
You possibly can earn 500 bonus Alaska miles after your first buy. To qualify, spend $30 at a collaborating restaurant and overview it on the Mileage Plan Eating web site.
There are different methods to earn Alaska miles, corresponding to reserving rental vehicles and lodge stays with Alaska companions. You possibly can be taught extra about these incomes alternatives in our full information to incomes Alaska miles.
Methods to redeem Alaska miles
You should use your Alaska miles for flights on Alaska Airways and its accomplice airways. One of the best worth is usually discovered when redeeming on accomplice airways, particularly for worldwide first- or business-class flights.
Awards provided by Alaska Airways are dynamically priced. Your value for a particular award ticket varies by route and day.
You may typically discover the lowest-priced awards on brief flights — suppose Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA) to Portland Worldwide Airport (PDX) and Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX) to SFO.
On the airline’s web site, you will see award pricing for all of Alaska’s companions, relying on the area you’re touring to.
All accomplice awards at the moment are dynamically priced. As an example, American Airways award flights within the U.S. and Canada now solely have beginning costs after which “fluctuate relying on demand.”
You possibly can add stopovers to one-way award tickets
One of many nice benefits of reserving accomplice tickets with Alaska Airways is the flexibility so as to add stopovers to one-way award tickets. Reserving a ticket with a stopover prices the identical as a nonstop flight to your last vacation spot.
You possibly can have a stopover operated by Alaska Airways or a single accomplice in its hub metropolis.
For instance, you possibly can e book a ticket from JFK to London on British Airways, spend a number of days in London, after which proceed to Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) on British Airways. This could price the identical variety of miles as a flight from JFK to FCO, supplied the itinerary doesn’t fall into the next-highest band.
Associated: Methods to e book free stopovers with Alaska Airways Mileage Plan
Methods to e book Alaska Airways award tickets
You possibly can e book most award tickets on alaskaair.com. Log in to your account and enter your search standards on the house web page, guaranteeing you choose the “Use miles” possibility for award flights. Click on “Discover flights” to look and look at accessible choices within the middle of the display. In the event you discover a appropriate ticket, choose it and click on “Add to cart” to proceed with reserving.
For reserving stopovers, click on the “All search choices” hyperlink on the homepage and choose “multicity” underneath the “Flight kind” header. Enter your flights and seek for connecting tickets. All accessible choices might be displayed within the middle of the display. In the event you discover a fascinating itinerary, e book your ticket as regular.
Plus, Alaska introduced this month that Mileage Plan members will start incomes elite qualifying miles on award flights beginning Jan. 1, 2025.
Mileage Plan redemption candy spots
Now that about Mileage Plan, let’s discover some prime methods to make use of your Alaska miles.
- Enterprise class to Fiji and Australia/New Zealand: One-way business-class seats on Fiji Airways now begin at 75,000 Alaska Airways miles. You could possibly fly to New Zealand and Australia, with a stopover in Fiji for simply 10,000 miles extra.
- Home flights inside Australia: Alaska’s Oneworld accomplice Qantas operates many wide-body companies on the “golden triangle” routes between Sydney Airport (SYD), Melbourne Airport (MEL) and Brisbane Airport (BNE). These flights could be booked in financial system class beginning at 7,500 Alaska miles every manner for journeys of 1,500 miles or much less.
- Enterprise class to the UK: Whereas many flight routes from North America to Europe will fall throughout the 3,501-5,000-mile vary, corresponding to a flight from Miami Worldwide Airport (MIA) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) costing 55,000 miles in enterprise class, there are a number of routes from the East Coast to the UK that may solely price 45,000 Mileage Plan miles in enterprise class as they’re underneath 3,500 miles, such because the New York-to-London route.
- E book South America flights on LATAM: Regardless of having left the Oneworld alliance, LATAM maintains a partnership with Alaska Airways. By making the most of the free stopover, you possibly can e book flights like Miami to Lima’s Jorge Chavez Worldwide Airport (LIM) to Santiago Worldwide Airport (SCL), permitting you to expertise two vibrant South American cities in a single journey from simply 25,000 miles for financial system and 50,000 miles for enterprise class every manner.
Associated: Finest Alaska Airways Mileage Plan candy spot redemptions you possibly can e book
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