If you happen to’re a loyal Alaska Airways Mileage Plan member, buckle up. In November 2023, the service introduced a brand new award chart set to take impact in March 2024. Now, the most important award chart replace has begun, and the brand new pricing will begin rolling out Monday, March 11, by means of March 31.
Whereas Alaska leaders touted this as a serious enhancement, our preliminary analysis confirmed that it is a blended bag in comparison with earlier award charges — particularly for those who’re seeking to e-book Alaska companions in 2024. Nonetheless, the modifications do provide some notable simplicity that was beforehand lacking, with totally different companions having wildly totally different award charges when touring between the identical areas.
“As a Mileage Plan member, our company need to journey the world with ease and comfort,” Brett Catlin, vp of loyalty, alliances and gross sales at Alaska Airways, mentioned in a press launch. “That is why we now have made some modifications to our award pricing and stock, to offer them extra choices, simplicity, and nice worth for his or her miles. Whether or not they need to discover a brand new vacation spot, go to a liked one, or take a calming trip, they’ll now discover extra award availability and suppleness for his or her journey plans.”
So, what modifications did Alaska Airways make to its Mileage Plan award chart?
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Alaska Airways Mileage Plan 2024 award chart redemption modifications
Starting on March 11, Alaska Airways began rolling out its new award chart pricing modifications. The Mileage Plan award chart now has a brand new distance-based construction and is split into three region-based charts: the Americas; Europe, Center East and Africa; and Asia-Pacific. The chart exhibits redemption charges will differ based mostly on the gap being flown.
The Americas
The primary area is the Americas — which incorporates North America, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. These costs apply to flights flown between (or inside) these areas.
| Distance flown (miles) | Financial system (beginning at) | Premium financial system (beginning at) | Enterprise (beginning at) | First (beginning at) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower than 700 | 4,500 miles | 6,000 miles | 9,000 miles | 13,500 miles |
| 701 to 1,400 | 7,500 miles | 10,000 miles | 15,000 miles | 25,000 miles |
| 1,401 to 2,000 | 12,500 miles | 17,500 miles | 25,000 miles | 40,000 miles |
| 2,001 to 4,000 | 17,500 miles | 22,500 miles | 35,000 miles | 52,500 miles |
| 4,001 to six,000 | 25,000 miles | 32,500 miles | 50,000 miles | 75,000 miles |
| 6,001 and above | 30,00 miles | 40,000 miles | 60,000 miles | 90,000 miles |
Notice that Hawaii, the Caribbean and Central America are now not included as separate areas (as they’re on the present award chart). As a substitute, flights to or from these areas will comply with the above pricing.
Europe, Center East and Africa
The following area is Europe, the Center East and Africa (EMEA). The costs under apply to flights inside these three areas and to flights from the U.S. to any of those areas.
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| Distance flown (miles) | Financial system (beginning at) | Premium financial system (beginning at) | Enterprise (beginning at) | First (beginning at) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower than 1,500 | 7,500 miles | 10,000 miles | 15,000 miles | 22,500 miles |
| 1,500 to three,000 | 22,500 miles | 30,000 miles | 45,000 miles | 67,500 miles |
| 3,001 to five,000 | 27,500 miles | 35,000 miles | 55,000 miles | 82,500 miles |
| 5,001 to 7,000 | 35,000 miles | 45,000 miles | 70,000 miles | 105,000 miles |
| 7,001 to 10,000 | 42,500 miles | 55,000 miles | 85,000 miles | 130,000 miles |
| 10,001 and above | 55,000 miles | 72,500 miles | 110,000 miles | 165,000 miles |
Asia
The ultimate area is Asia — which incorporates Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Japan, Korea and the South Pacific. These costs apply to flights inside these areas, between these areas and EMEA, and between the U.S. and these areas.
| Distance flown (miles) | Financial system (beginning at) | Premium financial system (beginning at) | Enterprise (beginning at) | First (beginning at) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower than 1,500 | 7,500 miles | 10,000 miles | 15,000 miles | 22,500 miles |
| 1,500 to three,000 | 25,000 miles | 32,500 miles | 50,000 miles | 75,000 miles |
| 3,001 to five,000 | 30,000 miles | 40,000 miles | 60,000 miles | 90,000 miles |
| 5,001 to 7,000 | 37,500 miles | 50,000 miles | 75,000 miles | 110,000 miles |
| 7,001 to 10,000 | 42,500 miles | 55,000 miles | 85,000 miles | 130,000 miles |
| 10,001 and above | 65,000 miles | 85,000 miles | 130,000 miles | 195,000 miles |
There’s quite a bit to unpack right here, so let’s look nearer at a few of the areas.
Flights throughout the Americas
Underneath the earlier award chart, most award flights throughout the Americas had been already distance-based (excluding these to South America). For instance, an financial system award flight inside (or between) the contiguous U.S. and Alaska or Canada that’s lower than 700 miles began at 5,000 Mileage Plan miles. Within the new award chart (efficient March 2024), flights lower than 700 miles in financial system will begin at 4,500 miles. In the meantime, flights that cowl between 701 and 1,400 miles will retain a beginning value of seven,500 miles.
Nonetheless, many longer flights will see a rise:
- Financial system flights inside (or between) the contiguous U.S., Alaska and Canada protecting 1,401 to 2,100 miles: Going from 10,000 miles to 12,500 miles (a 25% improve)
- Financial system flights inside (or between) the contiguous U.S., Alaska and Canada protecting 2,101 to 4,000 miles: Going from 12,500 miles to 17,500 miles (a 40% improve)
- Financial system flights from the U.S. to Hawaii protecting 2,101 to 4,000 miles: Going from 15,000 miles to 17,500 miles (a 16.67% improve)
On the time of writing, there are nonetheless a number of months that characteristic each the earlier award pricing in addition to the rise. For instance, in September 2024, you’ll be able to e-book a one-way award flight in financial system from Seattle to Anchorage for 10,000 miles. If you happen to e-book a later flight, it should price 12,500 miles.
It is a comparable story for flights from the U.S. to South America (that are operated by companions LATAM and American Airways). Beforehand, financial system awards from the U.S. to any South American vacation spot began at 20,000 miles, however as of March 11, these might be even decrease:
- Lower than 1,401 miles: Beginning at 7,500 Alaska miles
- 1,401 to 2,100 miles: Beginning at 12,500 Alaska miles
- 2,101 to 4,000 miles: Beginning at 17,500 Alaska miles
Sadly, the award charges for one in every of Alaska’s high candy spots are rising. Beginning in March, long-haul flights on LATAM protecting between 4,001 and 6,000 miles, which presently begin at simply 45,000 miles every means, will climb to 50,000 miles — a rise of 11.1%.
Worldwide flights
It is a comparable story on the EMEA and Asia award charts, as some costs are dropping whereas others will see some notable will increase — particularly for premium-cabin redemptions.
This is a snapshot of some well-liked routes which are altering.
Fiji Airways
Underneath the present award chart, you’ll be able to fly from the U.S. to Fiji’s Nadi Worldwide Airport (NAN) for simply 55,000 miles in enterprise class. Amazingly sufficient, that value additionally applies for those who join by means of Fiji to Australia or New Zealand.
The brand new award chart will value these business-class awards as follows:
- U.S. to Fiji: 75,000 miles
- U.S. to Australia through Fiji: 85,000 miles
Nonetheless, the beginning value of nonstop financial system tickets from the U.S. to Fiji will drop barely — to 37,500 miles.
Japan Airways
The award charges for nonstop flights from the U.S. to Asia on Japan Airways fall at 35,000 miles for financial system, 50,000 miles for premium financial system and 60,000 miles for business-class award tickets.
For the brand new chart, solely sure flights to Tokyo — from both Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Aiport (SEA) or Vancouver Worldwide Airport (YVR) might be priced the identical or decrease (30,000/40,000/60,000). Nonetheless, flights from different U.S. gateways to Tokyo will begin on the following charges:
- Financial system: 37,500 miles (up 7.14%)
- Premium financial system: 50,000 miles (no change)
- Enterprise: 75,000 miles (up 25%)
Notice that for those who add a connecting flight and your whole distance exceeds 7,000 miles, you will get ran into the subsequent pricing band.
Starlux Airways
In 2023, Alaska added Starlux Airways as a redemption accomplice, with some wonderful redemption charges (that solely lasted about 24 hours). Nonetheless, you’ll be able to nonetheless discover some Starlux awards at 85,000 miles in enterprise class, like this routing from San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO) to Singapore Changi Worldwide Airport (SIN).
Underneath the brand new award chart, this flight would value out on the identical 85,000 miles.
Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has lengthy been an unbelievable candy spot with Alaska miles, with one-way award charges from the U.S. to Hong Kong Worldwide Airport (HKG) beginning at 30,000 miles in financial system, 50,000 miles in enterprise class and 70,000 miles in firstclass. Whereas availability within the service’s premium cabins stays very scant, nearly each Cathay gateway within the U.S. (other than SFO) will see elevated award charges below the brand new chart:
- Financial system: 42,500 miles (up 41.67%)
- Enterprise: 85,000 miles (up 70%)
- First: 130,000 miles (up 85.7%)
Associated: Greatest Alaska Airways Mileage Plan candy spot redemptions
Different updates
Past the brand new 2024 award charts, Alaska can also be teasing numerous further updates to the Mileage Plan program:
- Elevated accomplice award stock: Alaska has lengthy allowed you to make use of further miles to e-book some accomplice award tickets (although these will be fairly expensive). The service has dedicated to opening up “elevated award stock on 10% of accomplice routes” to additional develop this characteristic.
- New accomplice award gross sales: Beginning in April 2024, Alaska will launch limited-time promotions and particular pricing for particular routes, companions and/or locations.
- Upcoming flexibility with companions: As of now, you’ll be able to solely mix Alaska-operated flights with partner-operated flights on one-way award tickets. Nonetheless, the service is engaged on providing “mileage redemption when combining two accomplice airways in a single itinerary on a one-way journey.”
- No change to stopover coverage: Alaska’s award ticket stopover coverage is likely one of the most beneficiant on the market, permitting you so as to add a cease of as much as 14 days on one-way, worldwide award tickets. This isn’t altering with the brand new award chart.
Our tackle the Alaska modifications
The brand new award chart is a blended bag for Alaska vacationers. Usually talking, a distance-based award chart tends to profit those that e-book shorter, nonstop itineraries — since including a connecting flight will increase the gap you fly and thus has the potential to push you into the next pricing band. This logic seems to carry with Alaska’s new award chart.
Nonetheless, it is nice to see unified pricing, and for these exterior the U.S., will probably be a pleasant enhancement to have the ability to e-book awards between two worldwide locations throughout all of Alaska’s companions.
In fact, it is also value noting that utilizing “ranging from” in a printed award chart continues so as to add some notable uncertainty to reserving award tickets with Alaska miles. Whereas trying to find award availability, we have seen fluctuating costs. In any case, there isn’t any assure that you’ll discover an award ticket at that value on the date you need to journey.
For instance, checking Alaska’s award calendar for flights from Seattle to Anchorage in July, there are one-way flights between 12,500 miles and 30,000 miles. Subsequently, for those who’re versatile together with your journey days, we advocate looking Alaska’s award chart calendar, as it’s possible you’ll discover a cheaper redemption.
Backside line
Alaska Airways Mileage Plan overhauled its award chart, shifting to a distance-based mannequin protecting three areas: the Americas, Europe, the Center East, Africa and Asia. This has led to some decreases in award costs, however a few of the service’s candy spots will now require extra miles.
Nonetheless, this isn’t a hard and fast award chart and solely exhibits introductory mileage charges. Subsequently, we advocate checking Alaska’s award chart calendar to seek out the most cost effective redemption.
