Can I Use Alaska Miles on Other Airlines
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is without a doubt one of the best miles and points programs.
1 of the biggest reasons is that they have a ton of sugariness spot redemptions and a lot of the taxes and fees that y'all accept to pay are very minimal.
You also tin can search and book flights online with a lot of partners which makes things very easy. And lastly, yous tin take advantage of stopovers on one way flights.
In this article, I'll give you twenty of the all-time uses for Alaska Airline Mileage Programme miles.
I focused largely on first class and business class redemptions since those are where the well-nigh value is merely in a lot of cases chief cabin redemptions can be lucrative on those same routes as well.
Earning Alaska Airline miles
Alaska Airlines is not a partner with a major transferable programme such as Hunt Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, or Citi ThankYou Points.
Nonetheless, they are a partner of Marriott Bonvoy and you tin can transfer your Bonvoy points at a ratio of iii to ane and receive a 5,000 bespeak bonus for every 60,000 points you lot transfer over.
And then 60,000 Marriott points would translate into 25,000 Mileage Plan miles.
This means you can use cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless to supplement your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan balances.
But there are also 2 great options to become with from Bank of America. There is the personal Alaska Airlines credit card and also the business version.
You tin can notice these cards with bonuses around forty,000 points so information technology's not terribly difficult to earn around 70,000 to eighty,000 miles pretty speedily.
If you combined those earnings with a Marriott card you lot could quickly exist working with over 100,000+ Alaska Airline miles. And every bit you'll see below, that amount of miles could take you pretty far.
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Alaska Airlines booking fees
When you make an Alaska Airlines booking, in many cases yous can avoid high surcharges. But yous will have to pay certain types of fees in some cases.
Get-go, there is a $15 fee for booking over the phone. You should be able to book nearly partners online but some will take to exist booked over the phone.
At that place too is a $25 fee for booking partner awards.
If y'all need to alter or abolish your booking later 24 hours, you lot take to pay a $125 change/cancellation fee.
Your miles volition be redeposited and you will be refunded whatsoever taxes/fees on the honor booking except for phone booking fees and the partner award fee.
All-time uses of Alaska Airline miles
Red china Pacific Get-go Class (US to Asia)
- 70,000 miles one-way
China Pacific first class is widely regarded equally i of the peak first class experiences in the globe. It's an ultra-luxurious flying feel with a super spacious seat and arguably the almost comfy bed in the sky.
The suites are non fully enclosed merely take partitions that extend out pretty far offer tons of privacy. When dining, yous can choose to join a companion and eat right across from each other while in the sky.
Speaking of the dining feel, yous'll enjoy fine champagne, caviar, and some other amazing dishes during your flying.
The kickoff class cabin is too very intimate with only vi suites located at the front of the airplane.
Tip: Try to sit in "Aisle A" For maximum privacy.
If y'all are flying out of Hong Kong International Drome (HKG), you can experience the highly reviewed lounge known equally The Pier. It'southward an elegant lounge with quality dining, a beautiful bar area, twenty-four hour period beds, a spa, and really nice showers.
Related: Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong review
Commencement Class on JAL (US to Asia)
- seventy,000 miles ane-manner
Nippon Airlines start form is another i of the superlative outset form products.
Just like Cathay Pacific first class, the suites are not fully enclosed. All the same, they are quite spacious. You'll enjoy peak civilities like ETRO assiduities kits, Bose headphones, and comfy pajamas.
The dining and drinking feel on JAL first class will exist elevation notch. In the past, they accept served upward Cristal champagne and Salon 2007, the latter of which goes for $600 a bottle.
Tip: If you are flight from Japan, consider flight out of Haneda (HND) instead of Narita (NRT) for Reddish Suites.
The Red Suites are located in the Japan Airlines commencement class lounge at HND and are very private. The experience is almost like a Japan Airlines AvGeek (aviation geek) museum, complete with features similar an adult game room, shoe shining, and champagne sake room.
If you don't want to shell out for starting time class or if you tin't find availability, you can get to Asia for just 60,000 miles in JAL business course and around $30 in fees.
Singapore Airlines Get-go Course (US to Asia)
- 130,000 miles one-way
Ane of the all-time changes that came to the Alaska Airlines mileage programme is that y'all tin volume kickoff class on Singapore Airlines.
If you're flying from the contiguous The states to Southeast Asia, you can redeem at 130,000 miles 1 manner. But y'all may want to look into flying between other destinations where y'all can enjoy the Singapore Suites.
Singapore Suites are definitely 1 of the tiptop three first class products currently bachelor and some might even put them at number ane. Y'all'll bask a ridiculously spacious suite along with some of the all-time service y'all will probably e'er meet anywhere.
And then in that location is the champagne and dining. You'll be offered premium champagne similar Dom Perignon and Krug forth with elaborate dishes and fine caviar.
Red china Pacific Business organization Grade (US — Asia)
- l,000 miles one-way
If you want to conserve your points a lilliputian chip meliorate, consider flight business class on Mainland china Pacific from the United states to Asia. At 50,000 points ane way, it is one of the best sweet spots to get to Asia in business grade 1-way.
In my feel, the Cathay Pacific business form product is pretty solid. Information technology offers a off-white amount of privacy with a privacy shield that extends out a little fleck and has a fair corporeality of legroom with fully lie flat seats.
I would definitely experience okay with crossing the Pacific in Cathay Pacific business course.
Emirates Concern Class (The states — Asia)
- 105,000 miles one way
Flying Emirates in business class to Asia is going to be an expensive trip at 105,000 miles ane mode. And so this is not the way to go for people trying to conserve their miles.
However, some people may want to effort out the highly respected business grade on Emirates and brand a trip through Dubai out of it. Fees for this route could exist as depression every bit $29 so it'due south not quite every bit bad as it seems.
So if you are in the aspirational crowd, you might want to give this redemption consideration.
Cathay Pacific Concern Course (Intra-Asia)
- 22,500 miles one-fashion
If yous need to travel within Asia, using your Alaska miles can be i of the best ways to get around. At only 22,500 miles one style, it's definitely a sweet spot. So if you lot needed to get between say Hong Kong and Bangkok, you lot could fly on Cathay Pacific.
Merely annotation that stopovers are no longer allowed on intra-Asia flights.
People's republic of china Pacific First Class (US — Eye East)
- 70,000 miles one-manner
One of the all-time ways to wing first course on Red china Pacific could be flying between the U.s. and the Middle East because seventy,000 miles is a steal. Having a layover or stopover in Hong Kong would also be awesome.
Fifty-fifty though it is quite the long distance from the US to Hong Kong to the Middle East, I would exist okay with flying such a long-haul in first class on Cathay Pacific any day of the calendar week.
British Airways Outset Class (US — Heart E)
- eighty,000 miles ane-style
If yous are planning a trip to the Middle E, your natural inclination might be to use Alaska miles on Emirates. But there is a sweet spot if you cull to book kickoff class on British Airways at only fourscore,000 miles.
First class on British Airways doesn't get a whole lot of respect to be honest. Notwithstanding, I feel that it is a tad bit underrated.
It may not accident you away like some of the top airline products out at that place but I retrieve it is notwithstanding expert plenty to woo someone not completely spoiled by the likes of things like the Etihad Apartment.
The major drawback to booking British Airways outset class is that y'all will accept to fly through London and pay some massive surcharges and fees. So while the mileage requirement is very low be prepared for some heaven-high fees.
For example, for the one-way flight from SFO to DXB via LHR, your fees could be a minimum of $930!
Emirates First Class (US — Eye Due east)
- 150,000 miles i-fashion
If you don't mind shelling out miles then Emirates First Class could be a good use of your points.
The Emirates showtime class experience is something that you will never forget. It's known for its amazing showers in the sky and the popular in-flight bar which is 1 of the best bars in the sky.
But it's too a nifty hard product with a fully enclosed suite and in my feel: top-notch service.
Some might not fifty-fifty think well-nigh spending so many points on a redemption but Emirates is a saucepan list experience that some people will experience okay splurging on.
The good matter about going with Alaska miles is that your fees will be very minimal although Emirates did recently lower their fees across several bookings. For case, I saw i-way flights with fees every bit low as $xx for showtime course!
Related: Etihad vs Emirates First Class on the A380
American Airlines business class (Us — South America)
- xxx,000 miles one-fashion
If y'all desire to head down to northern Southward America which would include countries like Columbia and Peru, using Alaska miles on American Airlines business form is a great sweetness spot.
Fees for these redemptions are as low as $34 and then information technology's a very cheap redemption all around.
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LATAM business class (The states — Due south America)
- 45,000 miles one-fashion
If you want to head to southern Southward America, meaning places like Brazil or Chile, the toll goes up to 45,000 miles one-manner in business form but information technology'due south still a pretty great offer.
If yous don't mind shelling out more miles, you could caput down in first class on American Airlines with 57,500 miles i way and fees as low as $19!
LATAM business organisation class (Intra-South America)
- 25,000 miles one-manner
If you want to go around Southward America comfortably in business concern class, so using Alaska miles tin can be a smart selection. Once again, yous'll exist flying on LATAM.
Sometimes flights within South America can be quite expensive, especially in business form so you lot can also net a lot of value with your miles this way.
LATAM business class (Easter Isle — Due south America)
- 35,000 miles one-mode
If you want to explore the mysterious island of Easter Island and all of the cool ruins, Alaska miles are a cracking selection.
You might also call back nearly using a different program like British Airways Avios for this road as it is i of the best sugariness spots available for Easter Island.
Qantas business course (US — New Zealand)
- 55,000 miles ane-way
If you lot want to caput down to New Zealand and explore things like Hobbiton and the glowworm caves, using your Alaska miles on Qantas is a super efficient way to get there.
A business organisation form redemption will only require 55,000 miles i manner which is a peachy sugariness spot.
Availability may be an event with this redemption and then it could crave a lot of persistence.
Qantas first class (US — New Zealand)
- 70,000 miles 1-mode
Qantas is known for having a pretty solid first class production and for just 15,000 more miles, you could fly down to New Zealand in offset class. One time over again, availability can exist tough.
Aer Lingus business class (US — Europe)
- 60,000 miles one-way
If you know anything about using miles and points to get to Europe, yous know that the fees tin be outrageous sometimes.
Even so, if you lot utilize your Alaska miles to fly on Aer Lingus your fees can be under $20 on a one-way flight from JFK to DUB!
60,000 miles is not super cheap only considering that the fees tin exist then low it tin can exist a adept selection for people who don't want to come out of pocket when flying to Europe.
Alaska Airlines (Flights across the US)
Using Alaska miles can be a dandy style to get around the The states. The prices will change depending on the distance and specific fare you take (the highest prices difficult for refundable awards).
Here are some prices y'all can look:
- Main cabin less than 700 miles: 5000 to 30,000
- First form less than 700 miles: fifteen,000 to twoscore,000
- Primary cabin 701 miles to 1,400 : seven,500 to 30,000
- Beginning grade 701 miles to ane,400: 25,000 to 60,000
- Primary cabin i,401 miles to 2,100 miles: 10,000 to twoscore,000
- First form 1,401 miles to 2,100 miles: 25,000 to 60,000
If you book a first class flight, just like on other airlines, you won't have to worry about paying for your checked baggage for your outset couple of bags. And something unique well-nigh Alaska Airlines is that they will grant you lounge access even on domestic commencement class flights.
Besides, if you lot are an Alaskan resident you may want to look into a Club 49 membership that can save you in dissimilar means.
American Airlines business concern class (Flights across the US)
- 25,000 miles one way
If yous desire to fly effectually the US in first form and so using Alaska miles on American Airlines can be a great selection. The price is not heavily discounted simply it is pretty standard at 25,000 miles one way.
Cathay Pacific First Class (US to Canada)
- 35,000 miles
If yous are not planning on making the long-haul trip over the Pacific to Hong Kong but you still want to experience the awesome first class feeling on Red china Pacific consider using your Alaska miles to fly from Vancouver to New York for only 35,000 miles.
Information technology'southward not going to give you lot the total experience where you will be dozing off for hours just for many people this is a great way to test out or only experience one of the all-time first class products while not having to go out North America.
Update: This route is no longer available.
American Airlines concern grade (US — Mexico)
- 27,500 miles ane manner
Alaska Airlines has a tiered laurels construction for flights down south to Mexico from the US. Depending on the blazon of fare booked and the length of your trip, your price will fluctuate.
But you lot tin can detect flights in first/business concern course for some corking rates like 27,500 miles and only around $44 in fees even when flying from destinations like Northern California to San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico.
If you are okay with flying chief cabin, you can become downwardly there for but 10,000 miles!
Alaska Airlines FAQ
What are the Alaska Airlines booking fees?
There is a $xv booking fee for bookings fabricated over the phone and also a $25 fee for all partner awards.
Where can I transfer points to Alaska from?
Alaska is a transfer a partner of Marriott but they are not a transfer partner of a major flexible rewards program similar Chase, American Limited, or Citibank.
Can I volume a stopover on a one-style flight?
Aye, Alaska Airlines allows yous to book a stopover on a one-way flight.
What are the Alaska airline partners?
American Airlines
Aer Lingus
British Airways
Cathay Pacific
Condor
EL AL Israel Airlines
Emirates
Fiji Airways
Finnair
Hainan Airlines
Icelandair
Nihon Airlines
Korean Air
LATM Airlines
Qantas
Singapore Airlines
Last word
As you tin tell, Alaska Airlines has some pretty amazing redemptions to offer. The but drawback to the program is that it can be difficult to accumulate miles outside of the Alaska credit cards. Withal, if you lot can rack up some miles then you lot have some of the best sweet spot redemptions to take reward of along with low fees.
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Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and creator of the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned full-time credit bill of fare rewards/travel good and has earned and redeemed millions of miles to travel the globe. Since 2014, his content has been featured in major publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, US News, and Business Insider. Find his full bio here.
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Source: https://www.uponarriving.com/alaska-miles-best-uses/