Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, the loyalty program of Alaska Airlines, is currently offering a promotion where members can purchase miles with a bonus of up to 60%. Different Mileage Plan members are being targeted with various offers, which range from a maximum bonus of 40% up to 60%.
Purchasing miles, especially with a bonus, can be a good way to top up your mileage balance in order to redeem them for an award flight or other reward.
How does the promotion work?
The promotion offers Mileage Plan members the opportunity to purchase miles with a bonus based on their targeted offer, and you’ll need to log into your account to see what promotion you have been offered.
The lowest offer is tiered as follows:
- A bonus of 30% for purchasing between 3,000 and 9,000 miles,
- A bonus of 35% for purchasing between 10,000 and 14,000 miles
- A bonus of 40% for purchasing between 15,000 and 100,000 miles.
On the other hand, the highest offer is tiered as follows:
- A bonus of 40% for purchasing 3,000-24,000 miles
- A Bonus of 50% for purchasing 25,000-44,000 miles
- A bonus of 60% for purchasing 45,000-100,000 miles.
To find out the specific bonus offer targeted to your Mileage Plan account, you’ll need to log into your account and check the details.
The promotion started on July 17, 2023, and will run until August 20, 2023. It can take up to 72 hours for purchased miles to post to your account, but generally, this process is complete within a day.
Is buying Mileage Plan miles worth it?
The value of purchasing Mileage Plan miles depends on your individual travel needs and redemption preferences. Before deciding to buy miles, it’s essential to consider the cost of the miles and the potential value you can get from redeeming them for flights or other rewards.
Mileage Plan miles can be used for award flights on Alaska Airlines and its partner airlines. If you have a specific trip in mind and find award availability, purchasing miles with a bonus can be a cost-effective way to secure a flight, especially if the cash price is high or the flight is in a premium cabin.
However, it’s crucial to compare the cost of purchasing miles to the price of a revenue ticket. Sometimes, the cost of buying miles, even with a bonus, can be higher than purchasing a ticket outright. Therefore, it’s essential to crunch the numbers and evaluate the redemption options before making a decision.
Don’t just redeem miles for Alaska Airlines Flights
One of the reasons Mileage Plan is such a popular airline loyalty program is that Alaska Airlines has a wide range of partner airlines which whom can use your miles for award travel redemptions.
As a member of the Oneworld alliance, you can use Mileage Plan miles with eligible Oneworld partners, as well as a number of non-alliance partners that Alaska Airlines has secured partnerships with.
Oneworld alliance redemptions partners: American Airlines, Finnair, Qantas, Sri Lankan Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Fiji Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Jordanian.
Non-alliance redemption partners: Aer Lingus, Hainan Airlines, Ravn Alaska, Air Tahiti Nui, Icelandair, Singapore Airlines, Condor, Korean Air, STARLUX Airlines, EL AL Israel Airlines, and LATAM Airlines.
How much is an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan mile worth?
The value of an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan mile can vary depending on how you redeem them. On average, Mileage Plan miles are valued at around 1.5 to 2 cents per mile. However, this value can fluctuate based on factors such as flight availability, ticket prices, and class of service.
It’s worth noting that Alaska Airlines has a region-based award chart, which means the number of miles required for a particular flight is determined by the distance and region. This provides transparency and allows members to determine how many miles they need for specific redemptions.
How does this promotion compare to previous offers?
In June, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan offered a promotion where members could purchase miles with a bonus of up to 50%. While the current promotion with a maximum bonus of 60% is slightly more generous, it’s important to note that bonus mile promotions typically range from 30% to 60%.
Also, remember the specific offer you receive depends on your Mileage Plan account status and targeted offer.
Do Mileage Plan miles expire?
One of the advantages of the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is that miles do not expire as long as there is account activity within a two-year period. Account activity can include earning or redeeming miles, using the Alaska Airlines credit card, or engaging with partner programs.
If your account becomes deactivated due to inactivity, you have the opportunity to reactivate it and reclaim your miles by contacting the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan within one year of deactivation.
Is Mileage Plan a Mileage or Revenue-Based Program?
Unlike some other loyalty programs, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan operates primarily as a mileage-based program. The number of miles earned is determined by the distance flown and the fare class purchased.
This means that even if you book a ticket at a discounted rate, you will still earn a substantial amount of miles based on the distance traveled. This makes the program attractive for those who frequently fly long distances, as the mileage accrual can quickly add up.
Conclusion
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan’s current promotion offering bonus miles of up to 60% presents an opportunity for members to purchase miles for future award flights or other rewards.
Whether buying Mileage Plan miles is worth it depends on individual travel plans, redemption preferences, and the cost of the miles compared to revenue tickets.
