The carrier is the Sarah Palin of the industry: Independent, unorthodox, flying by its own lights: This is Alaska Airlines. It should be called “Escape-from-Alaska Airlines” because its route system is all about getting out of the icebox to the lower 48, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
It’s that independent streak you can take advantage of to get yourself into the front cabin on more mainstream carriers. For Alaska doesn’t hew to alliance boundaries—it offers mileage redemption with a variety of airlines, in particular First Class with American, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas.
That means buying miles in Alaska’s Mileage Plan program is actually a gateway to almost anywhere in the world because Alaska does not impose an annual mileage purchase limit and sells miles for the bargainbasement price of 2.75¢ (limit 30,000 per transaction; unlimited transactions permitted). You can also transfer points into miles with Starwood or Diners Club.
Here’s how you can fly First Class from Los Angeles to Frankfurt on American Airlines using Alaska’s mileage program. Buy 125,000 miles for $3,437, enough miles for a free First Class ticket on American to Europe. Booking on American would cost you $17,709. Your savings: $14,272. Many other destinations offer similar savings, as the chart below shows.
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