Mileage Plan
Mileage Plan is the frequent-flyer program of Alaska Airlines. Members accrue program "miles" by flying Alaska Airlines and partner-operated flights, using co-branded credit cards, and booking vacation and hotel packages, among other methods. Mileage Plan miles can be redeemed for award flights on Alaska Airlines and partner carriers and provide eligibility for elite status with Mileage Plan.
History
[edit]In June 1983, Alaska Airlines introduced their frequent-flyer program, Gold Coast Travel. In 1987, Alaska Airlines acquired Jet America Airlines, which offered a frequent-flyer program that awarded credit by flight segments (number of flights taken), compared to Gold Coast Travel, where members earned credit based on the mileage of flights taken.[1] After acquisition by Alaska Airlines, participants of Jet America's frequent-flyer program were enrolled in Gold Coast Travel, and in September 1989, Gold Coast Travel was renamed Mileage Plan. Alaska Airlines also purchased regional commuter airline Horizon Air in 1986 and incorporated the carrier into Mileage Plan.
In 2016, Alaska Airlines acquired Virgin America, which offered a revenue-based accrual program, Elevate. On January 1, 2018, Elevate was discontinued, with all remaining accounts converted to Mileage Plan accounts.[2]
Oneworld Membership
[edit]In February 2020, Alaska Airlines announced its intention to join the Oneworld airline alliance in the summer of 2021.[3] This would add seven new airline partners, including Iberia, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines, and SriLankan Airlines. In October 2020, Alaska announced its Oneworld membership date had been moved to March 21, 2021.[4]
In December 2020, Oneworld member Qatar Airways established a mileage partnership with Alaska prior to the commencement of nonstop service from Seattle to Doha.
On March 31, 2021, Alaska Airlines officially joined the Oneworld alliance. Alaska temporarily suspended its partnership with S7 Airlines on March 1, 2022, in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[5]
In September 2024, Alaska Airlines' purchase of Hawaiian Airlines was finalized and closed, with the latter retaining its independent branding. A combined loyalty program was announced as forthcoming, with Hawaiian Airlines also projected to join Oneworld in 2026, after merging into one operating certificate.[6]
Alaska Airlines flights, including Horizon Air flights, have been bookable as part of Oneworld Global Explorer fares since 2008.[7]
Accrual Structure
[edit]On all scheduled Alaska Airlines flights, including flights operated by Horizon Air and SkyWest, members accrue one mile per mile flown. On flights under 500 miles, a minimum of 500 miles are awarded.[8] Miles can also be accrued by flying eligible flights on Alaska Global Partners.[9]
Beginning in 2015, most airlines in the United States switched to revenue-based accrual programs, where credit is awarded based on the fare paid. Alaska Airlines has previously indicated that retaining a distance-based accrual program is a competitive advantage over other carriers.[10] Among major carriers in the United States, only Frontier Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines also accrue one mile per mile flown. No other major airline offers a minimum accrual amount (e.g. 500 miles) for passengers lacking elite status.
Partner Airlines
[edit]Mileage Plan includes 31 partner airlines that comprise the Alaska Global Partners, with two additional partners pending.[11] Partner airlines include Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance members, as well as unaffiliated airlines.
The airline partners of Mileage Plan are:
| Alaska Global Partner | Airline Alliance | Partnership Commenced |
|---|---|---|
 Aer Lingus[12]
|
(none) | 2018 |
 Air Tahiti Nui[13]
|
(none) | 2022 |
 Aleutian Airways[14]
|
(none) | 2024 |
| American Airlines
|
Oneworld | 1999 |
 Bahamasair
|
(none) | 2023 |
 British Airways
|
Oneworld | 2001 |
 Cathay Pacific[15]
|
Oneworld | 2003 |
 Condor[16]
|
(none) | 2013 |
| Contour Airlines[17]
|
(none) | 2024 |
 El Al[18]
|
(none) | 2019 |
 Fiji Airways[19]
|
Oneworld Connect | 2009 |
 Finnair[20]
|
Oneworld | 2017 |
 Hainan Airlines[21]
|
(none) | 2015 |
 Iberia
|
Oneworld | 2021 |
 Icelandair[22]
|
(none) | 2015 |
 Japan Airlines[23]
|
Oneworld | 2016 |
| Kenmore Air[24]
|
(none) | 2023 |
 Korean Air[25]
|
SkyTeam | 2008 |
 LATAM Chile[26]
|
(none) | 1999 |
 Malaysia Airlines
|
Oneworld | 2021 |
| Mokulele Airlines[27]
|
(none) | 2023 |
 Porter Airlines[28]
|
(none) | 2023 |
 Qantas
|
Oneworld | 1984 |
 Qatar Airways[29]
|
Oneworld | 2020 |
 Royal Air Maroc
|
Oneworld | 2021 |
 Royal Jordanian
|
Oneworld | 2021 |
 S7 Airlines
|
Oneworld | 2021-2023[a] |
 Singapore Airlines[31]
|
Star Alliance | 2017 |
| Southern Airways Express
|
(none) | 2023 |
 SriLankan Airlines
|
Oneworld | 2021 |
 Starlux Airlines[32]
|
(none) | 2023 |
Future Partners
[edit]Oman Air is projected to be a partner when it becomes a full Oneworld member in 2024, and is currently a partner airline eligible for Mileage Plan award redemptions.[33][34]
Hawaiian Airlines' purchase by Alaska Airlines was closed in September 2024, with a combined loyalty program was announced as forthcoming. Airline status recognition, mileage balances, mileage accrual, and award redemptions are expected to be combinable, interchangeable, and reciprocal under Mileage Plan, and Hawaiian Airlines' 'HawaiianMiles' program in the interim.[35] [36]
Former Partners
[edit]Delta had been a mileage partner from 2004 until 2017, when it established Seattle as a hub city.[37] The partnership with Delta was preceded by a partnership with Northwest Airlines in 1995, prior to the merger of the two airlines.[38] Alaska Airlines was also a former mileage partner with other SkyTeam members, including Aeromexico, from 2013 until 2017, and Air France and KLM, from 2007 until 2018.[39][40]
Emirates ceased to be a partner in 2021, shortly after Alaska joined the Oneworld alliance. The two airlines had a mileage agreement starting in 2012.
Membership Tiers
[edit]Mileage Plan's elite tiers for frequent travelers are MVP, MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K. Members in elite tiers receive additional benefits compared to non-elite members, including complimentary upgrades to First and Premium Class, increased mileage accrual, priority check-in and boarding, discount or free lounge access, complimentary checked bags and other benefits.
Starting in 2024, Mileage Plan elite status is only earned through accrued EQMs earned on Alaska and/or partner flights. Members attain elite status according to the following EQM thresholds: [41]
| Qualification Method | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K | MVP Gold 100K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles earned on Alaska1 (and/or) Elite Qualifying Partner flights | 20,000 | 40,000 | 75,000 | 100,000 |
- Notes
- ^1 Includes flights operated by Alaska Airlines, Alaska Horizon Air, Alaska SkyWest.
There is no minimum spending requirement in order to receive elite status in Mileage Plan. Additionally, Members who fly 1,000,000 miles on Alaska Airlines are granted MVP Gold status for life.
Additional Benefits
[edit]Mileage Plan members are are eligible to check in one case of wine (up to 12 bottles) for free when flying domestically, if departing from one of 32 airports in California, Idaho, Oregon, or Washington.[42]
In March 2016, Alaska Airlines introduced a temporary, promotional award where Mileage Plus members could redeem 10,000 miles to cover the $85 cost of a TSA PreCheck screening application charged by the Transportation Security Administration.[43]
Club 49
[edit]Members who are residents of the State of Alaska, or military personnel permanently stationed in Alaska are eligible to participate in Alaska Airlines' Club 49 program.[44] Benefits include:
- Two complimentary checked bags on flights to or from Alaska, for participants and all passengers traveling on the same reservation
- Two Travel Now annual discounts for 30% off refundable one-way Y-class economy fares to, from, or within Alaska on Alaska Airlines, when booked within four days of departure
- Weekly fare sales via email for destinations within and outside Alaska
- Constituent Fare rates of a 30% discount for flights within the state to Juneau, to access the state legislature and state agencies, distributed at the start of the legislative session in mid-January
- The Freight For Less program, allowing participants to ship up to 100 pounds of freight within Alaska through Alaska Air Cargo for $49 plus tax.[45][46]
Huaka‘i
[edit]In late 2024, Hawaii residents will be eligible to join the Huaka'i program, providing benefits such as 10% off one inter-island booking per quarter, a free checked bag, and exclusive network-wide deals each month. Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard cardmembers will receive 20% off one inter-island flight per quarter, on top of the existing cardholder benefit of two free checked bags.[47]
Recognition
[edit]As of 2022, Mileage Plan has been the recipient of the U.S. News & World Report Best Airline Reward Program for seven consecutive years since 2015, based on an airline's overall evaluation of six criteria: ease of earning a free round-trip flight, benefits, network coverage, flight volume, award flight availability and airline quality ratings.[48]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Partnership suspended on March 1, 2022, in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[30]
References
[edit]- ^ in Service by Jet America Stops Losses: Move From Oakland to Orange County Pays Off
- ^ "Virgin America is now part of Alaska Airlines – Elevate members".
- ^ oneworld welcomes Alaska Airlines’ intention to join the alliance
- ^ Alliance countdown: Alaska joins oneworld in six months
- ^ Statement from Alaska Airlines
- ^ Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines: Two beloved brands. Taking you further.
- ^ Alaska and Horizon join oneworld's Global Explorer round-the-world fare
- ^ "Earning Mileage Plan miles on Alaska Airlines".
- ^ "Our airline partners that you can earn and use miles with to see the world".
- ^ Alaska Airlines announces new enhancements to Mileage Plan
- ^ "Our airline partners that you can earn and use miles with to see the world".
- ^ Alaska Airlines and Aer Lingus team up to give Mileage Plan members more flights to Europe
- ^ Paradise found! Alaska Airlines and Air Tahiti Nui announce new partnership
- ^ Book Aleutian Airways Flights on AlaskaAir.com and Earn Alaska Airlines Miles
- ^ Alaska Airlines Partners with Cathay Pacific Airways
- ^ Alaska Airlines adds Europe's Condor Airlines as Mileage Plan Partner
- ^ "Contour Airlines". www.alaskaair.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ EL AL Israel Airlines & Alaska Airlines celebrate expanded global partnership
- ^ Air Pacific Becomes Alaska Airlines Codeshare and Mileage Plan Partner
- ^ Alaska Airlines and Finnair announce frequent flyer partnership
- ^ Alaska Airlines adds Hainan Airlines as Mileage Plan Partner
- ^ Alaska Airlines and Icelandair Announce Codeshare and Frequent Flier Partnership Agreement
- ^ Alaska Airlines Welcomes Japan Airlines as newest Mileage Plan and Codeshare Partner
- ^ Kenmore Air
- ^ Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Partner With Korean Air
- ^ Passenger Alliances and Commercial Agreements
- ^ "Aloha, partner! Alaska Airlines welcomes Mokulele Airlines to Mileage Plan". 15 November 2022.
- ^ "Porter Airlines and Alaska Airlines announce key strategic partnership". 13 December 2023.
- ^ Qatar Airways Continues U.S. Network Expansion with Launch of Flights to Seattle on State-of-the-Art Boeing 777
- ^ "Statement from Alaska Airlines". March 2022.
- ^ Alaska's newest partner Singapore Airlines gives guests truly unique flying experience
- ^ Alaska Airlines launches partnership with STARLUX Airlines
- ^ "Oman Air to join oneworld".
- ^ "Oman Air".
- ^ Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines: Two beloved brands. Taking you further.
- ^ "Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers".
- ^ Alaska and Horizon to Partner with Delta Air Lines
- ^ TIMELINE – 1990S
- ^ Aeromexico
- ^ Our partnership with KLM ended on April 30th, 2018.
- ^ "Earning Mileage Plan elite status".
- ^ Wine Flies Free on Alaska Airlines
- ^ Alaska Airlines First to Offer Frequent Fliers Option to Redeem Miles for TSA Precheck® Membership
- ^ Only in Alaska. Exclusively for you.
- ^ "Alaska Airlines adds 'Freight for Less' to Club 49 benefits". 17 October 2017.
- ^ Club 49® frequently asked questions
- ^ Huaka'i by Hawaiian
- ^ U.S. News Reveals 2021-22 Best Travel Rewards Programs