Summary
- Award redemption charts are changing, simplifying the method, and lowering minimum thresholds for Alaska Airlines-operated and partner flights.
- 60% of partner nonstop economy routes begin at lower mileage points, with recent charts available globally by the top of the month.
- Simplified partner redemptions offer more flexibility, and the premium economy starts at 6,000 miles a technique, down from 12,500.
US carrier Alaska Airlines is starting to roll out its recent award redemption charts. The minimum redemption threshold has been lowered, and redemptions across nearly all of flights featuring airline partners are being simplified.
Consolidating the award chart map
Alaska Airlines is certainly one of the few remaining US carriers that publishes an award redemption chart based on distances. Previously, there have been several Mileage Plan charts depending on the destination and operating carrier. This has now been reduced to Alaska Airlines-operated flights and people operated along with its airline partners.
![A traveler speaking with agents at an Alaska Airlines Lounge desk.](https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/lng_040223_sea-d-lounge-reopening1130-1.jpg)
How To Get Alaska Airlines Lounge Access In 2024
Rules have been updated since last yr.
The changes were first announced last yr, with news that short-haul awards will start as little as 4,500 miles each way (down from 7,500). In response to the airline, 60% of partner nonstop routes in economy class and 64% of routes in business class will start at a cheaper price point because of the brand new distance-based structure. In a press release seen by The Points Guy, Brett Catlin, Vice President of Loyalty, Alliances, and Sales at Alaska Airlines, emphasized the simplicity of the brand new program:
“As a Mileage Plan member, our guests need to travel the world with ease and convenience,
“That is why we’ve got made some changes to our award pricing and inventory, to present them more options, simplicity, and great value for his or her miles. Whether or not they need to explore a brand new destination, visit a loved one, or take a calming vacation, they’ll now find more award availability and suppleness for his or her travel plans.”
Photo: Alaska Airlines
The brand new award charts are currently appearing for North American customers and will likely be available worldwide by the top of the month.
What number of miles do you would like?
The brand new charts are divided into three regions: the Americas (now including Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Central America); Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and Asia-Pacific. The charts provide the bottom redemption cost for every sector length, but individual flight redemption prices vary significantly. Rewards may even now be possible for flights that don’t have any Alaska-operated segment, including Intra European and Asian routes.
One significant improvement is the simplification of booking with Alaska’s airline partners. Along with the complete suite of oneworld alliance members, the carrier has agreements with 17 other airlines. Partner redemption pricing can be shifting to be calculated as one-way sectors so guests can mix and match which airlines they’re flying. It will allow passengers so far more flexibility when it comes to which destinations they’ll reach on a single ticket across multiple carriers.
There’ll further be a lift within the variety of premium economy award seats available, with redemption prices starting at just 30% greater than economy (6,000 miles a technique) and lower than half the previous redemption minimum of 12,500. Redemptions in business class can be found from 9,000 miles each way, down from 20,000.
![Alaska Airlines aircraft at Seattle Tacoma International Airprot SEA shutterstock_1574673760](https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/alaska-airlines-aircraft-at-seattle-tacoma-international-airprot-sea-shutterstock_1574673760.jpeg)
Alaska Airlines Flight Map 2024: The Airline’s Top Routes & Destinations
Alaska Airlines’ three busiest hopes are on the west coast and are separated by relatively short distances.
While Alaska Airline’s Mileage Plan is notable for not having blackout dates for redemptions, there are still just a few caveats. Award flights with each an origin and destination wholly outside the USA have to be booked not less than 72 hours before departure. All flights also include taxes and carrier-imposed fees that start from $5.60 per person each way.
More to are available 2024
Further program enhancement includes access to extend award inventory on 10% of partner routes covering greater than 370 global destinations. This yr, Alaska can be expected to introduce its promised global partner award sales, which change quarterly and have special pricing of “As much as 50% off specific partners, routes, or destinations.”
The airline will proceed to supply its free stopover program. The addition of simpler partner redemptions allows passengers to spend as much as two weeks in an Alaska or partner hub to or from their final destination. This has long been a favourite of frequent flyers to mix several cities on one trip, so it’s a relief to see this system will remain.
![Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330](https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_1789805618-2.jpg)
What Does The Hawaiian-Alaska Airlines Deal Mean For Frequent Flyers?
Members of the combined frequent flyer program will have the ability to earn and redeem miles on a greater alternative of carriers and routes worldwide.
One destination potentially set to turn out to be the airline’s second-largest hub is Honolulu. Speaking on the J.P Morgan Industrials Conference today, Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci noted how vital loyalty is to the potential merger with Hawaiian Airlines and connecting its frequent flyers to the US East Coast and beyond:
“We imagine there’s an enormous opportunity for us and for Hawaiians to have one loyalty card of their wallet for his or her one-stop must take them out of continental U.S. and in addition internationally with our 25 global partners that we’ve got partnerships with.”
Photo: Alaska Airlines
Minicucci confirmed the carrier is currently compiling information for the Department of Justice, which it expects to deliver in May. Allowing the subsequent update on the merger from the department to reach in June.