If you happen to’re a loyal Alaska Airways Mileage Plan member, buckle up. The provider has simply introduced a brand new award chart set to take impact in March 2024. Alaska leaders are touting this as a significant enhancement, however our preliminary analysis exhibits that it is a combined bag in comparison with present award charges — particularly in the event you’re seeking to ebook Alaska companions in 2024.
“Mileage Plan has lengthy been recognized for providing nice worth on world redemptions with entry to a number of the most aspirational premium merchandise and locations,” Brett Catlin, vp of loyalty, alliances and gross sales at Alaska Airways, stated in a press launch. “We’re excited to supply a extra easy award proposition whereas doubling down on the alternatives our friends must discover superb values.”
So, what “superb” adjustments is Alaska Airways making to its Mileage Plan award chart?
Associated: One of the best web sites for looking Oneworld award availability
Alaska Airways Mileage Plan declares award redemption adjustments
In March 2024, the Mileage Plan award chart can have a brand new distance-based construction and shall be divided into three region-based charts: the Americas; Europe, Center East and Africa; and Asia-Pacific. The chart will present redemption charges that may range 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 not included as separate areas (as they’re on the present award chart). As an alternative, flights to or from these areas will comply with the above pricing.
Europe, Center East and Africa
The subsequent area is Europe, the Center East and Africa (EMEA). The costs under apply to flights inside these three areas and for flights from the U.S. to any of those 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 | 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.
Day by day Publication
Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day publication
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
| 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 rather a lot to unpack right here, so let’s take a more in-depth take a look at a number of the areas.
Flights inside the Americas
Underneath the present award chart, most award flights inside the Americas are 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 at present begins 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.
Nevertheless, many longer flights will see a rise:
- Financial system flights inside (or between) the contiguous U.S., Alaska and Canada overlaying 1,401 to 2,100 miles: Going from 10,000 miles to 12,500 miles (a 25% enhance)
- Financial system flights inside (or between) the contiguous U.S., Alaska and Canada overlaying 2,101 to 4,000 miles: Going from 12,500 miles to 17,500 miles (a 40% enhance)
- Financial system flights from the U.S. to Hawaii overlaying 2,101 to 4,000 miles: Going from 15,000 miles to 17,500 miles (a 16.67% enhance)
It is a related story for flights from the U.S. to South America (that are operated by companions LATAM and American Airways). At the moment, financial system awards from the U.S. to any South American vacation spot begin at 20,000 miles, however as of March 2024, these shall be even decrease:
- Underneath 1,401 miles in size: 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 all Alaska’s prime candy spots goes up. Beginning in March, long-haul flights on LATAM overlaying between 4,001 and 6,000 miles, which at present begin at simply 45,000 miles every method, will climb to 50,000 miles — a rise of 11.1%.
Worldwide flights
It is a related 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 in style routes which are altering.
Fiji Airways
Underneath the present award chart, you’ll be able to fly from the U.S. to Nadi Worldwide Airport (NAN) for simply 55,000 miles in enterprise class. Amazingly sufficient, that value additionally applies in the event you join by way of Fiji to Australia or New Zealand.
Nevertheless, 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
Nevertheless, the beginning value of nonstop financial system tickets from the U.S. to Fiji will drop barely — to 37,500 miles.
Japan Airways
The present award charges for nonstop flights from the U.S. to Asia on Japan Airways fall at 35,000 miles, 50,000 miles and 60,000 miles for financial system, premium financial system and business-class award tickets (respectively).
For the brand new chart, solely sure flights to Tokyo — from both Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Aiport (SEA) and Vancouver Worldwide Airport (YVR) shall be priced the identical or decrease (30,000/40,000/60,000). Nevertheless, 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 in the event you add a connecting flight and your complete distance exceeds 7,000 miles, you may get ran into the following pricing band.
Starlux Airways
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 top quality. Whereas availability within the provider’s premium cabins stays very scant, virtually each Cathay gateway within the U.S. (apart from SFO) will see elevated award charges beneath 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 award charts, Alaska can also be teasing a lot of extra updates to the Mileage Plan program:
- Elevated associate award stock: Alaska has lengthy allowed you to make use of extra miles to ebook some associate award tickets (although these will be fairly dear). The provider has dedicated to opening up “elevated award stock on 10% of associate routes” to additional broaden this function.
- New associate award gross sales: Beginning in 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. Nevertheless, the provider is engaged on providing “mileage redemption when combining two associate airways in a single itinerary on a one-way journey.”
- No change to stopover coverage: Alaska’s award ticket stopover coverage is without doubt 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.
After all, particulars are scant on the primary two objects, so it stays to be seen how widespread and helpful these updates shall be.
Our tackle the adjustments
The brand new award chart is a combined bag for Alaska vacationers. Usually talking, a distance-based award chart tends to profit those that ebook 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.
After all, 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. In spite of everything, there is no assure that you’ll discover an award ticket at that value on the date you wish to journey.
If you happen to’re sitting on a big stockpile of Alaska miles, remember to look rigorously at your upcoming 2024 journeys. Evaluate the present award pricing to the brand new, distance-based award charges, after which resolve if it is sensible to lock in your flights now earlier than the brand new pricing takes impact in March 2024.
Backside line
Alaska Airways Mileage Plan is overhauling its award chart subsequent 12 months, shifting to a distance-based mannequin overlaying three areas: the Americas; Europe, the Center East, and Africa; and Asia. This has led to some decreases in award costs, however a number of the provider’s candy spots would require extra miles when the adjustments take impact in March 2024.
Check out your plans for subsequent 12 months now to see in the event you ought to ebook award flights earlier than this pricing takes impact.
