7 Reasons to choose Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan Loyalty Program

Mileage Plan is the loyalty program ofoneworld member Alaska Airlines. There have been many changes to the program in recent years since the airline joined the alliance. Importantly, there are several differences between it and other airline programs. This can make it an attractive option for miles and status earning, much more comprehensive than just for regular Alaska Airlines flyers.

1 Take advantage of distance-based earning and redeeming

Earning this way can be more lucrative, but more airlines are dropping it

Mileage Plan still operates using distance-based methods for earning miles and, to a certain extent, redeeming them for award tickets. All flights (including those onAlaska Airlines) earn miles based on the distance flown and the booking code. Flight length determines award pricing, although, since 2024, this has become variable, with only a starting guide rate published.

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Several years ago, almost all airlines operated miles and points this way. More and more have now switched to a revenue-based earning system that awards points or miles based purely on the price paid. This is generally considered less rewarding, especially for economy tickets and lower-priced or promotional premium cabin tickets.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Alaska Airlines is one of the more usefuloneworld airlines for maintaining distance-based earnings. Many other member airline programs have switched to full revenue-based for earning, spending, or both, including:

• American Airlines AAdvantage
• British Airways Executive Club
• Iberia Plus
• Finnair Plus

2 Benefit from oneworld alliance membership

Earn and redeem miles with other airlines, and share benefits across theoneworld alliance.

Alaska Airlines is a full member of theoneworld alliance afterjoining in 2021. As such, miles can be earned from all alliance member airlines and redeemable on all airlines; this is particularly relevant for American Airlines’ frequent fliers. They can choose to use either program, depending on how mileage earning, redeeming, or status earning suits them.

Elite status with Mileage Plan will give mutual benefits across the alliance as well. Mid-level members can useoneworld Sapphire status to get advance seat bookings, additional luggage allowance, and business class lounge access. Top-level elite status bringsoneworld Emerald status, which adds first class airport and lounge benefits.

Related

A Complete Guide To Elite Status In The Oneworld Alliance

Ruby, Emerald, and Sapphires are the tiers to strive for.

3 Use more than just oneworld partners

Mileage Plan has more additional partners than mostoneworld loyalty programs.

Alloneworld member airlines loyalty programs allow earning and redeeming across all other alliance members. Some airlines also offer additional non-oneworld partner airlines. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan andCathay Pacific’s Cathay programstand out for offering excellent options here.

Read more about oneworld alliance member airlines

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan includes the following additional partner airlines for both earning and redeeming – many of which are full members of the other alliances:

• Aer Lingus
• Air Tahiti Nui
• El Al
• Hainan Airlines
• Icelandair
• Korean Air
• LATAM
• Ravn Alaska
• Singapore Airlines
• Starlux Airlines

Photo: Jarek Kilian | Shutterstock

Several other airlines are available for earning only – including Cape Air, Kenmore Air, Mokulele Airlines, Porter Airlines, and Southern Airways Express.

These additional partners allow increased earning opportunities for members and some great options to redeem that would not be possible with other programs. LATAM, for example, opens up many options in the South American region, which is lacking with the oneworld alliance. Singapore Airlines, Hainan Airlines, and Korean Air do the same for Asia.

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4 Lower award pricing and lower charges

Mileage Plan offers excellent value on many routes

There can be significant differences in pricing for the same award flights booked through different loyalty programs. Mileage Plan offers excellent value compared to some otheroneworld programs here. This varies by route, but there is excellent value for both the shortest and the longest routes. Some examples include:

In an unusual move these days, Mileage Plan decreased the rates on many award routes in March 2024. According to the airline, 60% of partner nonstop routes in economy class and 64% of routes in business class will start at a lower price point thanks to the new distance-based structure. The shortest routes are also exceptionally good value. Awards start from 4,500 miles – lower than almost all other programs.

Related

Alaska Airlines Rolls Out New Award Charts

Minimum redemption thresholds have lowered to start at just 4,500 miles, and additional partner flights are being opened worldwide.

In addition to lower mileage rates, Mileage Plan has among the lowest taxes and additional charges. The program adds a small fee for most partners of around (currently $12.50) and no fuel surcharges for most airlines (British Airways is a notable exception).

5 You can add stopovers to award tickets

A very rare yet valuable benefit

Mileage Plan allows members to add a stopover as a hub city on any partner award ticket. As long as the total mileage band is unchanged, the award price will be the same (starting rate). This is very unusual among loyalty programs these days and can open up some excellent value award options.

Photo: Hafit Irawan | Shutterstock

It’s also rather useful, especially on longer routes with partner airlines. For example:

• A stopover on a route from the US to Europe could involve a British Airways or American Airlines flight to London, a stopover in London, and then an onward flight later to any European destination.
• A flight to Asia could include a long-haul flight to Hong Kong or Singapore, a stopover there, and a continuation to another regional Asian destination.
• A return flight could take advantage of the same stopover allowance but choose a different stopover city and routing.

Related

How To Spend Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan uses dynamic award pricing but still offers some good value partner awards.

6 Save with the Global Getaways program

Discounts on changing routes can be a great benefit

Mileage Planlaunched the Global Getaways programin early 2024, offering up to 50% discounts on award tickets. This sort of discount offer is very unusual among oneworld loyalty programs and can potentially offer excellent value.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

The routes on offer change regularly but can include any of the partner airlines. The first offer (up to the end of April 2024) was for economy and premium economy flights to several exotic / beach destinations – including Nassau, Nadi, Tahiti, Zanzibar, Maldives, and Bali.

Related

Award Flights To Fiji, Bali, Maldives, And More Now Up To 50% Off With Alaska Airlines

The carrier is rolling out Global Getaways with rotating categories for discounted award redemptions on partner airlines.

7 Easier to earn elite status

Higher leveloneworld status is simpler to earn than with many other loyalty programs

Mileage Plan generally has lower requirements for earning elite status than many other programs. Status is earned through elite qualifying miles, awarded using the same distance-based method as base miles. This already makes elite status earning easier and faster than with many other programs. Importantly, there is no minimum spending requirement, as has now been introduced with American Airlines’ AAdvantage program. Good earning boosts are also available through co-branded credit cards in several markets.

Related

How To Earn Alaska Airlines Elite Status

There are several ways for those looking to fast-track their elite status with Alaska.

In addition, the levels to reach the highest elite level are lower with Mileage Plan. To reach mid-level MVP Gold (equivalent to oneworld Saphire) requires 40,000 elite qualifying miles. To move up to MVP Gold 75K (equivalent to oneworld Emerald) required 75,000 elite qualifying miles. The equivalent two levels with British Airways Executive Club, for example, require 600 Tier Points, jumping over double to 1,500 Tier Points.

Despite recent changes (particularly with regards to spending miles), Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan remains a great loyalty program with good benefits and mileage options across the oneworld alliance and more. Feel free to discuss how you value the program in the comments section below.