Alaska Airlines recently unveiled enhancements to its Mileage Plan frequent flyer program, with changes that will run until the end of 2025. The changes are designed to reward frequent flyers while offering more flexibility and benefits.
To achieve status with Alaska Airlines, members must earn Elite Qualifying Miles or EQMs. These are awarded according to the distance flown.
Starting in 2025, Alaska Airlines is adding the possibility of earning EQM even on reward flights (paid in points). Miles will be credited for flights operated by Alaska Airlines and all its partners.
Between the four levels of MVP status, Alaska Airlines will add key milestones that allow members to receive benefits sooner. Privileges include bonus miles, in-flight Wi-Fi, upgrade certificates, VIP lounge passes and more.
In all, there will be 11 milestones that members can reach up to the ultimate 250K status.
Like British Airways and its oneworld multi-partner tickets, Alaska Airlines will soon be offering the possibility of combining several different carriers on a single reward ticket.
For example, a ticket could arrange flights on Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and British Airways to travel from the USA to Italy, with stops en route. Itineraries will be possible between the U.S. and Europe to start with, then expand to other regions and partners over the next year.
Like Air France and its Promo Awards, Alaska Airlines will be launching Global Getaways in 2025. Each quarter, featured destinations will benefit from a discount of up to 50% on the number of points required to book a reward ticket.
In September 2024, Hawaiian Airlines officially joined Alaska Airlines. For the time being, the two loyalty programs remain separate. Alaska Airlines is working on a new unified program to be launched mid-2025.
From now on, members can enjoy a number of advantages: miles can be transferred free of charge between Alaska and Hawaiian frequent flyer accounts at a 1:1 ratio, and flights from both airlines are available for purchase on both websites.
In March 2024, Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan program adjusted fare schedules for award flights. The changes mainly affected partner flights, with a new structure divided into major regions.
The fare structure for flights operated by Alaska Airlines has changed a little this year. It is still based on distance flown, but two new sections have been added: Hawaii and Mexico/Caribbean/Central America. For flights within the USA, Alaska and Canada, mileage prices start at:
For Hawaii, all distances combined, reward tickets start at:
For Mexico,Central America and the Caribbean, regardless of distance, reward tickets start at:
Since March 2024, it has been possible to book international short-haul flights and travel within the same region. There are three fare structures, as follows:
It is also possible to combine up to two different partners on the same ticket. Similar to Aeroplan reward tickets, one stopover (up to 14 days) is allowed on the outbound and return trip.
Fares are based on distance travelled in miles. These are flights from the United States to the region in question, or flights within the region itself.
The amounts shown in the following tables are from, and therefore the lowest prices in miles that we can find. It’s very likely that mileage prices will be much higher for popular dates and destinations, or if there is more than one carrier on the same ticket.
Alaska Airlines’ reward booking partners are all member airlines of the oneworld alliance:
In addition to the following companies:
Since September 2023, MBNA credit cards affiliated with Alaska Airlines have been completely withdrawn from the Canadian market. Former Alaska Airlines cards have been converted to MBNA Rewards cards.
Alaska Airlines is a transfer partner of the Marriott Bonvoy program. Marriott Bonvoy points can be converted into Alaska Mileage Plan miles at a rate of 3:1.
Plus, when you transfer more than 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, a bonus of 5,000 Alaska Mileage Plan miles is added.
For all flights operated by Alaska Airlines partner airlines, you can choose to earn miles in the Alaska Mileage Plan program rather than in the airline’s frequent flyer program. Simply provide your Alaska membership number when booking your ticket or checking in.
What’s more, Alaska Airlines partners with several airlines to help you earn miles every day. You’ll find all the ways to earn on this page.
Finally, it is also possible to buy Alaska Mileage Plan miles directly at a cost of US$0.032 (3.2 US cents) per mile. Promotions are frequent, so stay tuned if you’re considering buying miles in the future.
Savings are here: