We’ve often advised joining the loyalty program of Alaska Airlines, even if you’ll never fly on it, because it is one of the few airlines that sells unlimited miles (see FCF Aug. 2009), and it offers First Class redemption on a large number of major airlines including: American, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas. Just add a promotion such as the one going on right now—a 30% bonus on purchased miles—and you’ve got a major avenue into the First Class cabin on those partner carriers.
Here’s an example. A First Class ticket on American from Chicago to Shanghai costs 135,000 miles through Alaska’s mileage program. Taking advantage of the promotion means you only have to buy 104,000 miles, slightly less than most programs charge for a Business Class ticket (about 110,000 miles). That comes to $2,860, whereas booking a First Class ticket on American would cost about $20,045. The savings: about $17,000. We checked First Class award availability on this route and found space to be plentiful in both directions December through April.