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Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: Hidden Gem of the Emerald City
- 1. Hidden Gem of the Emerald City: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Scott Mackenzie | HackMyTrip.com Frequent Traveler University — April 27, 2014
- 3. Route Map “Alaska Airlines dominates the West Coast and Pacific Northwest…” • Hubs in PDX, SEA, and ANC • Multiple daily flights to every Hawaiian island • Award flights to Alaska for the same cost as the Lower 48 • Several non-stop routes to the Midwest and East Coast • Expanding to CUN, BWI, DTW, MSY, and TPA
- 4. Partners Delta Air Lines American Airlines
- 5. Elite Status
- 6. Elite Status MVP MVP Gold MVP Gold 75K Miles on Alaska Airlines 20,000 40,000 75,000 Miles on Alaska Airlines + Partners 25,000 50,000 90,000 Segments 30 60 90 • Fewer miles than most programs require • Can achieve status while flying multiple carriers – Need lots of miles from partners before it makes sense • MVP Gold has unique flight cancellation benefits
- 7. Elite Status: MVP • 50% bonus miles • 2 free checked bags • Priority check-in • Preferred seating • 48-hour upgrade window
- 8. Elite Status: MVP Gold • 100% bonus miles • 2 free checked bags • Priority check-in • Preferred seating • 72-hour upgrade window • Various fee waivers • Priority security line • Standby on full flights • Free same-day flight changes • Free flight cancellations • Free drink on board
- 9. Elite Status: MVP Gold 75K • 100% bonus miles • 2 free checked bags • Priority check-in • Preferred seating • 120-hour upgrade window • Various fee waivers • Priority security line • Standby on full flights • Free same-day flight changes • Free flight cancellations • Free drink on board • 50K bonus miles • Free MVP status for a friend • 4 Board Room day passes • Free digEplayer
- 10. MVP Gold Is the Sweet Spot Alaska Gold Delta Gold America n Platinum United Gold Miles required 40,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 Bonus award miles 100% 100% 100% 50% Free checked bags 2 2 2 3 Confirmed upgrades 4 No No No Same day change fee No No $75 No Ticket cancellation fee No Award cancellation fee No $150 $150 $100 • Cancel up to 60 days before departure and use your credit for a future flight • MVP Gold/75K can cancel at any time
- 11. Getting Upgrades with Status • ―U‖ fare class must be available for upgrade • All elite members can get free upgrades at booking – MVP Gold/75K: Y, S, B, M, H – MVP: Y, S, B
- 12. Getting Upgrades with Status • Four MVP Gold Guest Upgrades for MVP Gold 75K – Can use for anyone, even if not traveling with elite member – Some fares excluded: G, R, T • Avios awards can also be upgraded and earn miles – Must have Mileage Plan number in the reservation
- 13. Getting Upgrades without Status • Use 15,000 miles – Fare class purchased must still be Y, S, B, M, H • Upgrades at the gate range from $50-200 • Upgrade as a Delta Sky Miles elite member – Priority after all Mileage Plan elites
- 14. American Airlines • 1-2 free checked bags • Priority AAccess check-in • Priority AAccess boarding • Preferred and Main Cabin Extra seating Delta Air Lines • 1-2 free checked bags • Priority check-in • Zone 1 priority boarding • Preferred seating • Complimentary upgrades – Excluding JFK transcons Reciprocal Elite Benefits
- 15. Alaska Airlines Board Room • Only a handful of Board Room locations – ANC, SEA, PDX, LAX (SFO closing soon) • Many partnerships with other airport lounges – All Delta Sky Clubs – Many other lounges depending on location • Affordable renewals and discounts for elite members – $450/$375/$295 new membership – $350/$325/$295 renewals • Free access with Priority Pass Select (via Amex Platinum)
- 16. Alaska Airlines Board Room
- 17. Miles
- 18. Earning Miles • Alaska generally awards the same number of award and elite-qualifying miles • 100% miles for most fares • 125% miles for Y economy class fares • 150% miles for F and P first class fares • 500-mile minimum even without elite status • Earn 100-150% miles on American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and most partners
- 19. Redeeming Miles • Five award levels: – Coach (high and low) – Refundable coach – First – Refundable first
- 20. Great Values on Cathay Pacific One-Way Award Fares Coach Business First North America to Asia 30,000 50,000 70,000 North America to Australia/New Zealand 40,000 60,000 80,000 North America to Africa/India/Middle East 50,000 62,500 70,000 Map generated by the Great Circle Mapper – © Karl L. Swartz
- 21. Great Values on Emirates One-Way Award Fares Coach Business First North America to Asia 52,500 75,000 100,000 North America to India/Middle East 42,500 72,500 90,000 North America to Africa 47,500 77,500 100,000
- 22. Great Values on Fiji Airways Round-Trip Award Fares Coach Business North America to S. Pacific/Australia/New Zealand 80,000 110,000 Hawaii to S. Pacific/Australia/New Zealand 55,000 90,000 Map generated by the Great Circle Mapper – © Karl L. Swartz
- 24. Saving Money with Alaska Airlines • Companion fare costs about $118 – Applies to any itinerary in economy class on Alaska Airlines – Both passengers earn miles and qualify for upgrades – Earned after signing up for Alaska Airlines Visa and at each account anniversary • 5% discount on weekly fare specials – Must sign up for newsletters • Cheap upgrades at the gate, from $50-200
- 25. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature • 3X on Alaska Airlines and 1X on everything else • $79 annual fee • Typically 25,000-mile sign-up bonus upon approval • No free checked bag or priority boarding/check-in! Major benefit of card is the annual companion fare.
- 26. Companion Fare • Deposited as a coupon in your Mileage Plan account • May be used for round-trip, one-way, or multi-city travel • Can’t book first class, but flights are eligible for upgrades and to earn miles • TIP: Bank of America has a reputation for offering customers multiple credit cards
- 27. How Alaska Helps You Save Miles • Cheaper awards to Alaska – Considered part of the continental U.S. • Cheaper intra-state awards • Cheaper Avios awards to Hawaii – All Alaska Airlines flights to the islands are 12,500 points • Free stopovers on domestic one-way awards
- 28. Using Avios to Book on Alaska Airlines • Avios is a distance-based award chart – Greatest value in short, non-stop flights with no fuel surcharges
- 29. Using Avios to Fly to Hawaii • Only 12,500 points each way to Hawaii • Connect in BLI, PDX for 9,000 more • Connect in California for 15,000 more • Compare to 40,000 miles for most other airline programs Map generated by the Great Circle Mapper – © Karl L. Swartz
- 30. Using Avios to Fly to Hawaii • You must call to book! Phone in by 4 PM to be secure a spot in the queue.
- 31. Using Avios to Fly to Hawaii
- 32. Finding Alaska’s Award Space • Three economy class award levels, two for first class – Only the cheapest will be available to partners
- 33. Finding Alaska’s Award Space • Confirm partner award availability using American Airlines
- 34. Stopovers on One-Way Awards • Stopovers allow you to book a single award ticket for multiple future uses • Can fill in remaining itinerary with Avios awards or revenue tickets 20,000 Mileage Plan miles or 25,000 Avios points?
- 35. 52,500 vs. 90,000 Miles • EWR – SEA // SEA – OGG = 20,000 miles + $5 • OGG – SEA // SEA – SFO = 20,000 miles + $5 • SFO – SEA // SEA – DCA = 12,500 miles + $5 Map generated by the Great Circle Mapper – © Karl L. Swartz
- 36. Summary • Alaska Airlines’ own network is limited …but it is great if you happen to live or travel on the West Coast • Great partner relationships help Alaska fill any gaps – Knowing how to exploit partners is key to maximizing value – American Airlines and Delta Air Lines – British Airways, Emirates, Cathay, and Fiji • Earning elite status is relatively easy and more rewarding than with many competitors