These days airlines use different types of award charts such as distance-based, zone-based, and dynamic. With their big computers crunching numbers like ice on the Iditarod.
But it’s not all bad news. Let’s take Alaska Airlines, for example. In March 2024, they’re switching from zone to distance charts, creating some big change in the process. Simply put, some prices will be higher, and some will be lower.
Alaska’s Chart Flip: The Highlights
At first glance, the signs are positive. Alaska said that beginning next March (no specific date), 64% of their Business Class routes will be at a lower price point.Also announced:
- There will be no penalties for changing or canceling flights (thank you, Lockdown hangover). If you cancel your ticket, your miles will go back into your account and any taxes paid will be refunded.
- The airline has pledged to open up more partner availability on 10% of its routes. A small give but we’ll take it.
- Awards will continue to include a free international stopover.
- Starting in March 2024 the new Alaska Airlines award chart shows that (and note that the fine print says, “Awards starting at”), all partner awards will start at the same level. That’s a welcome change considering current prices for some partner airlines are much higher than others.
Some Sample Cost Changes by Airline/Region plus Wins and Losses
Flying American using Alaska miles
To Asia: Business Class from Dallas to Shanghai is about 70% more. So that’s a LOSS. American may be as much as 29% less.To Europe: First Class from New York to London is about 22% less, that’s a WIN (for you). Alaska looks to be 11% less than what American charges for its own flights.
To Europe: Business Class from Dallas to London is about 4% less, while flying Los Angeles to London is about 22% more. That’s a WIN and a LOSS, respectively. Comparing that to American’s pricing from Dallas, Alaska is 32% less, and from Los Angeles, Alaska is 26% less.
To South America: First Class Miami to São Paulo on American is about 12% less. That’s a WIN. Compare that to American’s pricing and Alaska is just a bit less. However, we have seen AA previously offer award seats to South America in First Class for as low as 56,000 one-way and 113,000 round-trip.
To South Pacific: First Class from Los Angeles to Sydney on American is about 86% more. That’s a BIG LOSS. Compare that to American’s pricing, American is 42% less with this strategy.
To South Pacific: Business Class from Los Angeles to Sydney on American is about 55% more. That’s a BIG LOSS. Compare that to American’s pricing, American is 24% less.
Flying British Airways using Alaska miles
To Europe: First Class from Los Angeles to London is about 50% more. That’s a BIG LOSS. British Airways, an Amex, Capital One, and Chase points-to-miles transfer partner is 19% less.To Europe: Business Class from Chicago to London is about 4% less. That’s a small WIN. Compared to British Airways’ cost, Alaska is 39% less.
Flying Cathay Pacific using Alaska miles
To Asia: First Class from Los Angeles to Hong Kong is about 86% more, it’s a BIG LOSS. Cathay Pacific, Amex, Capital One, and Citi points-to-miles transfer partner is about 4% less.To Asia: Business Class Chicago to Hong Kong is about 70% more. That’s a BIG LOSS. Alaska is about 23% less than Cathay’s own cost.
Flying Iberia using Alaska miles
To Europe: Business Class from Boston to Madrid is about 22% less, while flying from Los Angeles to Madrid is about 22% more. That’s a WIN-LOSS. Compare that to Iberia’s special deal, an Amex and Chase points-to-miles transfer partner, from Boston is 32% less, and from Los Angeles is 37% less.Flying Japan Airlines using Alaska miles
To Asia: First Class from Los Angeles to Tokyo is about 57% more. That’s a BIG LOSS for travelers. Japan Airlines using American special strategy, the cost is 28% less.To Asia: Business Class from Dallas to Tokyo is about 40% more. That’s a LOSS (cue sad-faced emoji). Japan Airlines Using American miles, the cost is 14% less.
Flying Qatar Airways using Alaska miles
To the Middle East: Business Class from Boston to Doha may be about 20% less, while flying from San Francisco to Doha is about 2% less. That’s WIN-WIN. Compare that to Qatar’s cost from both Boston and San Francisco, Boston is the same cost as Alaska and San Francisco and is 21% less using Qatar miles, an Amex and Citi points-to-miles transfer partner.Charts About Award Charts
Routes that will cost the same or less – burn your miles now or later
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Routes that will cost more – burn your miles now
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You Can Still Find Value
When should you buy miles?
In short: when published premium fares are high, say $3,500+ for Business and $4,500+ for First Class international tickets. Published international First and Business Class fares are often at their highest when booked inside the 50-day advance-purchase window, when you don’t have the minimum-stay requirement, or when special fares are not offered on your route.
Still Save Up to 93% Off Premium Flights
Alaska Airlines loves a mileage sale. Whether you have the miles or need to buy them, that’s the time to buy them. Alaska frequently has mileage sales at 1.8 cents each. Until the new chart takes effect in March 2024, you can typically save 45% to 89% during these sale periods, which occur every couple of months or so.Insider tip: Alaska Airlines often offers close-in First Class availability for Japan Airlines flights. We’ve seen as many as three First Class seats available within seven days of departure using Alaska miles. It’s easy to book online with Alaska Airlines and if you’re looking to book close in, you can score big.
Make sure that award space is available before committing to the purchase. With Alaska you can buy miles on the phone while making the reservation online.
Examples of High-Value First Class Flights
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[table_opt id="6918" style="gray-header" header_rows="2" width="default" alignment="thcenter" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter" responsive="no" /]Things to consider:
- This strategy is not recommended for low-cost routes or on specific connections where there are a lot of miles involved.
- When Alaska does not show award space, the carrier may have it at a higher level due to dynamic pricing.