New sale opens discount premium flights with Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and many other carriers
That previously un-allianced rebel, Alaska Airlines, is at it again, offering up another golden miles sale through May 23 that’s of particular value to flexible travelers.
So your first thought might be, where do they fly? But that would be wrong. Let me explain.
The idea is not to use the miles on Alaska’s flight network, which is rather limited, but instead to cash them in for flights on Alaska’s partners: Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways and 18 other carriers — for up to 87% off premium flights. The miles can also be used for itineraries that don’t kick off in the U.S., and even for amazing round-the-world deals.
Alaska’s Baked-In Offer
Alaska is offering a bonus of up to 60% on mile purchases, which is about as good a bonus as it gets with this program. The promo brings the cost down to 1.85¢ per mile, including taxes. Sometimes different Mileage Plan members are targeted for different bonuses, so you’ll have to log into your account to see what bonus you’re eligible for. The maximum purchase per transaction is 100,000 miles, but there’s no limit on the number of transactions you can make. Alaska Mileage Plan non-elite members can purchase up to 150,000 miles per calendar year, which includes miles gifted to you. But that limit doesn’t include the bonus miles. Alaska Mileage Plan elite members can purchase as many miles as they want.
If you need more miles and need to get around mileage-purchase limits, most airlines allow you to redeem miles from your account for someone else’s travel. Aha. So open an account for your mom, brother, or hairstylist, pouff it up with miles, and then use them for your trip.
Be Ready for a Klondike Gold Strike
Two things to note: sales are only open to Mileage Plan members residing in North America and who have been in the program for at least 10 days. For example, American has a 30-day waiting period. Some airlines, including British Airways and Qantas, require you to sign up for their mileage program to check award space online. Alaska does not, so you can check availability for your dates before investing in any miles if you’re buying them for a particular trip. If you’re really keen to dig for nuggets, open an account with Alaska’s Mileage Plan, so when miles go on sale, you’ve already met the waiting-period requirement and you’re ready for the next gold strike.
[aside headline="Gold Diggers: Alaska’s Mileage Redemption Partner Airlines" alignment="aligncenter" width="big" headline_size="default"]Aer Lingus, American, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Condor, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Hainan Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, LATAM Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Ravn Alaska, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, Singapore, and SriLankan Airlines.[/aside]
87% Savings to Asia in First Class
OK, watch this: Using Alaska miles, Cathay Pacific First Class from the U.S. to Asia is 140,000 miles round-trip. The lowest published fare from New York to Hong Kong is $19,857 round-trip. Booking a partner award during this mileage sale through Alaska reduces the price to $2,653 round-trip (including taxes and about $67 in award tax), a staggering, shiny savings of $17,204 or 87%. Note that to check availability on Cathay Pacific you will have to call (800) 252-7522. Plus, availability is limited — no “booking backwards” with this one.
Japan Airlines First Class from the U.S. to Tokyo also takes 140,000 Alaska miles round-trip. The lowest published fare from Los Angeles to Tokyo is $20,171 round-trip. So, booking a partner award through Alaska during this sale reduces the price to $2,642 round-trip (including $239 in taxes), a savings of $17,529, or 87%.
Save 34% to Asia in Business Class
Using Alaska miles, Singapore Airlines Business Class from the U.S. to Asia is 160,000 miles round-trip. The lowest published fare from Los Angeles to Tokyo is $4,413 round-trip. Booking a partner award during this mileage sale through Alaska reduces the price to $2,891 round-trip (including taxes of about $120), giving you a savings of $1,522 or 34%. See FCF’s recent Sweet Redeems alert for Singapore Airlines Business Class mileage availability using Singapore miles, which is loosely indicative of availability with Alaska miles, although less.
Save 30% to Europe in First Class
British Airways First Class from the U.S. to Europe takes 140,000 Alaska miles round-trip. The lowest published fare from Seattle to London is $6,270 round-trip. So, booking a partner award through Alaska during this sale can reduce the price to $4,370 round-trip (including taxes), a savings of $1,900, or 30%.
Save 31% to Europe in Business Class
Finnair Business Class from the U.S. to Helsinki takes 140,000 Alaska miles round-trip. The lowest published fare from Dallas to Helsinki is $3,853. So, booking a partner award through Alaska during this sale reduces the price to $2,646 round-trip (including $60 in taxes), a savings of $1,207, or 31%.
Save 50% to the Middle East in Business Class
Qatar Business Class from the U.S. to Doha takes 170,000 Alaska miles round-trip. The lowest published fare from Chicago to Doha is $6,391 round-trip. So, booking a partner award through Alaska during this sale reduces the price to $3,221 round-trip (including $80 in taxes), a savings of $3,170, or 50%.
Save 57% to the Pacific in Business Class
Fiji Airways Business Class from the U.S. to Fiji takes 110,000 Alaska miles round-trip. The lowest published fare from San Francisco to Fiji is $4,917. So, booking a partner award through Alaska during this sale reduces the price to $2,092 round-trip (including $60 in taxes), a savings of $2,825, or 57%.
When to Buy Miles
Get them when published premium fares are high: $3,500+ for Business and $5,500+ for First Class international tickets, as a general rule. Published international First and Business Class fares are often highest when booked on short notice, the perfect time to use miles.
If you don’t fly often and are looking to buy miles for a specific trip with firm dates, make sure there’s availability BEFORE YOU BUY ANY MILES.
Another Reason to Dig This Gold Rush
We said it before but it really must be reiterated — Alaska boasts a generous stopover rule for its partner awards, allowing a free stopover in the partner’s hub city. Many other carriers don’t allow stopovers at all with mileage awards. Even better, you get one stopover for a one-way ticket (which is gold enough) and two stopovers on a round-trip.
Use this opportunity to book round-the-world tickets cheaply.
By the way, American and Qantas are also partners but because they don’t have nonstop Business or First Class awards available at the moment, we haven’t highlighted them.
Related Reads:
Beginner’s Guide to Playing the “Buy Miles to Fly In Style” Strategy