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When you're a loyal member of the Alaska Airways Mileage Plan, buckle up. In November 2023, the service introduced a brand new awards chart to take impact in March 2024. Now, the foremost rewards chart replace has begun, and the brand new costs will likely be in impact from Monday, March 11 to March 31.
Whereas Alaska leaders touted this as an enormous enhance, our preliminary analysis confirmed it's a blended bag in comparison with earlier award charges — particularly in case you're trying to e-book Alaska companions in 2024. Nevertheless, the adjustments present some notable simplicity that was beforehand lacking, with completely different companions having wildly completely different rewards charges when touring between the identical areas.
“As Mileage Plan members, 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. “So we've made some adjustments to our awards pricing and stock to present them extra alternative, simplicity and nice worth for his or her miles. Whether or not they wish to discover a brand new vacation spot, go to a cherished one, or wish to take a calming trip, they’ll now discover extra award availability and adaptability for his or her journey plans.”
So, what adjustments did Alaska Airways make to its Mileage Plan award chart?
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Alaska Airways Mileage Plan 2024 Award Chart Redemption Adjustments
Beginning March 11, Alaska Airways started making adjustments to its new award chart pricing. The Mileage Plan rewards chart now has a brand new distance-based construction and is split into three region-based charts: Americas; Europe, Center East and Africa; and Asia-Pacific. The chart exhibits that redemption charges will differ relying on the space of the flight.
America
The primary area is the Americas – which incorporates North America, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. These costs apply to flights flying between (or inside) these areas.
| Distance lined (miles) | Financial system (ranging from) | Premium Financial system (Begin) | Enterprise (Startup) | first (starting) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Observe that Hawaii, the Caribbean and Central America are now not included as separate areas (as they’re on the present awards 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 from the US to any of those areas.
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| Distance lined (miles) | Financial system (ranging from) | Premium Financial system (Begin) | Enterprise (Startup) | first (starting) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 US and these areas.
| Distance lined (miles) | Financial system (ranging from) | Premium Financial system (Begin) | Enterprise (Startup) | first (starting) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 lots to unpack right here, so let's take a better have a look at some areas.
flights inside the US
Beneath the earlier award chart, most award flights inside the US have been already distance-based (besides South America). For instance, an financial system award flight lower than 700 miles inside (or between) the contiguous US and Alaska or Canada began at 5,000 mileage plan miles. Within the new award chart (efficient March 2024), flights with lower than 700 miles in financial system will begin at 4,500 miles. In the meantime, flights touring between 701 and 1,400 miles will retain the beginning worth of seven,500 miles.
Nevertheless, many long-haul flights will see a rise:
- Financial system flights inside (or between) the contiguous US, Alaska, and Canada vary from 1,401 to 2,100 miles: from 10,000 miles to 12,500 miles (a rise of 25%)
- Financial system flights flying 2,101 to 4,000 miles inside (or between) the contiguous US, Alaska, and Canada: from 12,500 miles to 17,500 miles (40% enhance)
- Financial system flights masking 2,101 to 4,000 miles from the US to Hawaii: from 15,000 miles to 17,500 miles (a rise of 16.67%)
On the time of writing, there are nonetheless a number of months to go along with the earlier rewards pricing enhance as effectively. For instance, in September 2024, you possibly can e-book a one-way award flight from Seattle to Anchorage for 10,000 miles in financial system. When you e-book a later flight, it would price 12,500 miles.
It's the same story for flights from the US to South America (that are operated by companions LATAM and American Airways). Beforehand, financial system awards from the US to any South American vacation spot began at 20,000 miles, however beginning March 11, these will likely 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, award charges for one among Alaska's prime candy spots are on the rise. Beginning in March, long-haul flights between 4,001 and 6,000 miles on LATAM, which at present begin at simply 45,000 miles every approach, will climb to 50,000 miles – a rise of 11.1%.
worldwide flights
It's the same story on the EMEA and Asia awards charts, as some costs are falling whereas others will see some notable will increase – particularly for premium-cabin redemptions.
Right here's a snapshot of some fashionable routes which might be altering.
Fiji Airways
Beneath the present award charts, you possibly can fly from the US to Fiji's Nadi Worldwide Airport (NAN) in enterprise class for simply 55,000 miles. Amazingly, this worth additionally applies whenever you join from Fiji to Australia or New Zealand.
These business-class awards will likely be priced as follows within the new award chart:
- US to Fiji: 75,000 miles
- From US to Australia by way of Fiji: 85,000 miles
Nevertheless, the beginning worth for nonstop financial system tickets from the US to Fiji will drop barely to 37,500 miles.
japan airways
Award charges for nonstop flights from the US to Asia on Japan Airways are 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, just a few flights to Tokyo from Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA) or Vancouver Worldwide Airport (YVR) will likely be priced the identical or decrease ($30,000/40,000/60,000). Nevertheless, flights to Tokyo from different US gateways will begin on the following charges:
- Financial system: 37,500 miles (7.14% extra)
- Premium Financial system: 50,000 miles (no change)
- Occupation: 75,000 miles (25% extra)
Observe that in case you add a connecting flight and your complete distance exceeds 7,000 miles, you'll transfer into the following pricing band.
Starlux Airways
In 2023, Alaska added Starlux Airways as a redemption accomplice with some wonderful redemption charges (which solely lasted 24 hours). Nevertheless, you possibly can nonetheless discover some Starlux awards for 85,000 miles in enterprise class, like this route from San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO) to Singapore Changi Worldwide Airport (SIN).
Beneath the brand new award chart, this flight will price the identical 85,000 miles.
Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has lengthy had an unimaginable candy spot with Alaska miles, with one-way award charges from the US to Hong Kong Worldwide Airport (HKG) beginning at 30,000 miles in financial system, 50,000 miles in enterprise class, and 70,000 miles Are. First-class. Whereas availability is far decrease within the service's premium cabins, practically each Cathay gateway within the US (besides SFO) will see award charges enhance underneath the brand new chart:
- Financial system: 42,500 miles (41.67% extra)
- Occupation: 85,000 miles (as much as 70%)
- 1st: 130,000 miles (85.7% extra)
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different updates
Along with the brand new 2024 awards chart, Alaska can be introducing a number of further updates to the Mileage Plan program:
- Enhance in Companion Rewards Record: Alaska has lengthy allowed you to make use of additional miles to e-book some accomplice award tickets (although these will be fairly costly). The service has dedicated to additional broaden this characteristic by opening an “enhanced award record on 10% of accomplice routes.”
- New Companion Rewards Sale: Beginning in April 2024, Alaska will start limited-time promotions and particular pricing for particular routes, companions and/or locations.
- Upcoming Flexibility with Companions: As of now, you possibly can solely mix Alaska-operated flights with partner-operated flights on one-way award tickets. Nevertheless, the service is engaged on providing “mileage redemption when combining two accomplice airways in the identical itinerary on a one-way journey.”
- No change in ban coverage: Alaska's award ticket stopover coverage is likely one of the most beneficiant, permitting you so as to add a stopover of as much as 14 days on one-way, worldwide award tickets. This isn’t altering with the brand new awards chart.
Our perspective on Alaska has modified
The brand new awards chart is a blended bag for Alaska vacationers. Basically, distance-based award charts profit those that e-book quick, nonstop itineraries – as a result of including connecting flights will increase the space of your flight and thus has the potential to push you into the next pricing band. Is. This logic appears to be in step with Alaska's new award chart.
Nevertheless, it's nice to see unified pricing, and for these exterior the US, with the ability to e-book awards between two worldwide locations throughout all of Alaska's companions can be a pleasant addition.
After all, it's additionally price noting that using “ranging from” in printed award charts continues so as to add some notable uncertainty to reserving award tickets with Alaska miles. When looking for rewards availability, we seen worth fluctuations. In spite of everything, there isn’t a assure that it is possible for you to to get an award ticket on the worth you wish to journey on the date you wish to journey.
For instance, checking Alaska's award calendar for flights from Seattle to Anchorage in July, flights vary between 12,500 miles and 30,000 miles one-way. So, in case you're versatile about your journey days, we advocate looking out Alaska's award chart calendar as you could discover cheaper redemptions.
floor degree
Alaska Airways Mileage Plan overhauled its award chart, shifting to a distance-based mannequin masking three areas: the Americas, Europe, the Center East, Africa, and Asia. This has led to some discount in award costs, however a number of the service's most well-liked locations will now require extra miles.
Nevertheless, this isn’t a set rewards chart and solely exhibits introductory mileage charges. Subsequently, we advocate checking Alaska's award chart calendar to search out the most affordable redemptions.