I. Introduction: The Allure of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan has long been a favorite among savvy frequent flyers, and for good reason. It is consistently lauded for the high value of its miles, a unique and diverse network of airline partners (both within and outside the Oneworld alliance), and flyer-friendly policies like the ability to add stopovers on international award tickets.⁷ NerdWallet, for instance, has repeatedly named Mileage Plan as the Best Airline Rewards Program, citing its customer-friendly policies and reward structures.⁹

The objective of this guide is to delve into the strategies and “secrets” that allow members to earn and redeem Alaska miles with maximum effectiveness, turning everyday activities and travel into opportunities for dream trips. The program has undergone updates in 2024 and continues to evolve with changes rolling out into 2025, impacting aspects like award availability and partner pricing.⁷ Understanding these nuances is key to unlocking the full potential of Mileage Plan.

Historically, Mileage Plan’s strength stemmed from its strategic partnerships forged prior to joining the Oneworld alliance, coupled with its advantageous routing rules. While joining Oneworld has significantly expanded its global reach, it has also led to some standardization. Nevertheless, core value propositions, such as the renowned stopover policy, persist, offering continued avenues for outsized value. The “secrets” to maximizing Mileage Plan often lie in adeptly leveraging these remaining unique features while navigating the newer, more standardized rules.

II. Earning Alaska Miles: Beyond Just Flying

While flying is the traditional way to earn airline miles, a comprehensive strategy for accumulating Alaska Mileage Plan miles involves a multifaceted approach.

A. Flying Alaska and Partner Airlines

Naturally, flying with Alaska Airlines and its partner carriers is a primary method for earning miles. On Alaska’s own flights, mileage accrual is based on the actual distance flown and the fare class of the ticket purchased, with higher fare classes and premium cabins typically earning more miles.³

When flying with partner airlines, the number of miles earned can vary significantly based on the specific airline, the fare class booked, and critically, the channel through which the flight was purchased—booking directly on AlaskaAir.com versus the partner airline’s website can lead to different earning rates.¹⁰ One notable “secret” is that booking partner flights through the Alaska Airlines website (alaskaair.com) can sometimes result in a higher mileage yield. For instance, some partner flights booked this way earn 100% of the miles for the distance flown, a potentially more generous rate than if booked elsewhere.¹¹

B. Co-Branded Credit Cards

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card (for consumers) and the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Card, issued by Bank of America, are powerful tools for accelerating mileage earnings. These cards typically offer attractive welcome bonuses, enhanced mileage earning rates on Alaska Airlines purchases (often 3 miles per dollar) and on categories like gas, local transit, cable, and streaming services (often 2 miles per dollar), with 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.¹⁰

Beyond direct mileage earning, these cards come laden with valuable perks. The most celebrated is Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™, which allows the primary cardholder to book a companion flight on Alaska Airlines from just $99 plus taxes and fees (around $23) each year after meeting a specified annual spending requirement (typically $6,000 for newer cardholders).¹⁰ This benefit alone can provide savings that far exceed the card’s annual fee, making it a cornerstone of the card’s value proposition.²⁰ Other benefits include a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to six companions on the same reservation, priority boarding, and a discount on Alaska Lounge+ membership.¹⁰ Furthermore, cardholders with an eligible Bank of America account can receive a 10% bonus on miles earned from card purchases.¹⁵

C. Transfer Partners

Mileage Plan miles can also be accrued by transferring points from select partner programs:

• Bilt Rewards: Points transfer to Alaska Mileage Plan at a favorable 1:1 ratio.¹⁰ A particularly potent strategy is leveraging Bilt to earn points on rent payments—often a significant monthly expense—without incurring transaction fees, and then transferring these points to Alaska.
• Marriott Bonvoy: Points transfer at a 3:1 ratio. A bonus of 5,000 Alaska miles is typically awarded when transferring 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, effectively making the ratio 60,000 Bonvoy points to 25,000 Alaska miles.¹⁰

D. Shopping and Dining Portals

Alaska Airlines offers dedicated online portals that allow members to earn miles on everyday activities:

• Mileage Plan Shopping: By starting online shopping trips through this portal, members can earn miles at hundreds of participating retailers.⁷ A key tip is to watch for seasonal bonus promotions or offers based on spending thresholds, which can significantly amplify mileage earnings.
• Mileage Plan Dining: Linking a credit card and dining at participating restaurants, bars, and clubs can also yield Alaska miles.¹⁰

E. Hotel, Car Rental, and Other Partners

Mileage Plan partners with a variety of hotel chains and car rental agencies, allowing members to earn miles for stays and rentals.⁷ This can be an effective way to accumulate miles, especially if not pursuing elite status or points with a specific hotel or car rental loyalty program.

F. Buying Miles

Alaska Airlines frequently offers promotions to buy Mileage Plan miles, often with substantial bonuses (e.g., 40-60% bonus miles).¹⁰ While purchasing miles speculatively is generally not advisable, it can be a strategic move if a member is short a small number of miles for a specific high-value award, particularly for international first or business class travel on partner airlines.²³ If the total cost of purchasing the needed miles is significantly less than the cash price of the desired premium ticket, this “secret” can provide access to luxury travel at a comparative discount.

Diversifying earning strategies is crucial for the rapid accumulation of Alaska miles. The co-branded credit cards, with flagship perks like the Companion Fare, offer value that extends far beyond simple mileage accrual. Innovative partnerships, like that with Bilt Rewards, provide unique, fee-efficient avenues to earn miles on substantial regular expenses.

III. Redeeming Alaska Miles: The Sweet Spots and Strategies

Earning miles is only half the equation; redeeming them wisely is where the true value of Mileage Plan shines.

A. Understanding Alaska’s Award Charts (Post-2024 Changes)

Effective March 2024, Alaska Airlines implemented changes to its award structure. For flights on its own aircraft, Mileage Plan utilizes distance-based award charts.⁷ For partner airlines, a more unified system based on distance and region of travel was introduced, replacing many of the previous individual partner charts.⁷

It is critical to note that these published charts typically display starting award rates, contingent on “saver level” availability.⁷ Actual mileage costs can be higher if saver seats are not available. The shift to a more standardized partner award chart framework aimed to bring consistency but also led to the dilution or elimination of some previously well-known “super sweet spots” that arose from unique individual partner agreements. Flexibility in travel dates and destinations remains key to finding the best value.

B. The Power of Stopovers on International Awards

One of Mileage Plan’s most celebrated and enduring “secrets” is its generous stopover policy on international partner awards. Members can include one free stopover on a one-way international award ticket booked with a single partner airline.⁷ This effectively allows a traveler to visit two distinct destinations for the mileage cost of a single award to the final destination. For example, one could fly from the United States to Asia with an extended stopover in a city like Tokyo (if flying Japan Airlines), or travel from the US to Australia with a stopover in Fiji (if flying Fiji Airways).⁷ These stopovers are typically booked using the multi-city search tool on the Alaska Airlines website. This feature significantly enhances the value and versatility of Mileage Plan miles for international explorers.

C. Partner Award Sweet Spots

Despite program changes, several attractive redemption opportunities persist, particularly for premium cabin travel on partner airlines. (All examples are subject to availability and potential future chart adjustments.)

• Business/First Class to Asia:

• Japan Airlines (JAL): Historically a strong option for Business Class to Japan and onward connections throughout Asia, with one-way awards from around 60,000 miles. First Class has also been a target, though availability is scarce and mileage costs may be increasing.²⁵
• Cathay Pacific: Another highly-regarded partner for travel to Asia, especially Hong Kong. Business Class awards have historically started around 50,000 miles one-way, though finding saver availability has become more challenging.²⁵
• Korean Air: Offers good connectivity to Korea and other parts of Asia. Round-trip Business Class awards have been noted around 105,000 miles.²⁵
• Starlux Airlines: A newer partner providing a high-quality Business Class experience to Asia, with awards from around 75,000 miles one-way.²⁵
• Business Class to Europe:

• Awards can start as low as 45,000 miles one-way for shorter transatlantic routes (e.g., US East Coast to Western Europe, on flights between 1,501 and 3,500 miles).⁷
• Finnair: A good option for travel to Northern and Eastern Europe via its Helsinki hub.²⁹
• Business Class to South America:
• Flights on American Airlines or LATAM can start from 35,000 miles one-way for routes like New York to Lima.⁷
• Flights to Hawaii/Mexico on Alaska Airlines:
• Economy awards to Hawaii can start from 15,000 miles one-way, and to Mexico from 10,000 miles one-way from the contiguous US.⁷
• Short-Haul Flights:
• Partner awards for flights up to 1,500 miles can start at 7,500 miles. Within the Americas, flights under 700 miles on partners can be as low as 4,500 miles.⁷
• Fiji Airways to Australia/New Zealand with a Fiji Stopover: A popular redemption allowing for two destinations in the South Pacific.²³

A useful tip when redeeming on partners is to prioritize those that may not be easily accessible through other major airline alliances or those that historically have had lower fuel surcharges when booked via Alaska Mileage Plan.²⁶

D. Booking Strategies

• Book Early: For highly sought-after premium cabin awards on partners like JAL and Cathay Pacific, booking as far in advance as possible (often 11-12 months out when schedules open) is generally recommended.²⁶
• Check Last-Minute: Conversely, airlines sometimes release additional award seats close to the departure date.²⁶
• Call Alaska: Some partner awards, or complex itineraries with stopovers, may not be bookable online and require calling Alaska Airlines reservations.²⁶
• Utilize Search Tools: Third-party award search tools like Seats.aero can be helpful in identifying award availability across various dates and routes.⁸
• Beware of “Phantom Availability”: A common frustration is “phantom availability,” where the Alaska website displays award seats that are not actually confirmable at checkout, particularly with partner airlines.³⁰ If an award booking fails at the payment stage, it is advisable to call Alaska Airlines to verify the availability and attempt to book via an agent.

IV. Lesser-Known Perks and Program Uniqueness

Mileage Plan possesses several features that contribute to its distinctive value proposition:

• Historically Low Fuel Surcharges on Many Partners: While not universal (e.g., British Airways can have high surcharges ²⁶), Alaska has often passed on lower fees for many international partner awards compared to other programs.
• Generous Change/Cancellation Policy: Mileage Plan awards generally have no fees for changes or cancellations, with miles redeposited. A partner award booking fee (around $12.50 per ticket) may apply and is typically non-refundable after 24 hours.⁷
• Mileage Plan Unlocked: This platform allows members to redeem miles for unique experiences, such as VIP concert tickets, sporting events, and private dining, offering an alternative to flight awards.²² Elite members reaching certain milestones may receive discount vouchers for these Unlocked redemptions, further enhancing their value.²²
• Earning Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) on Award Flights (New for 2025): A significant recent development is that, starting in 2025, Mileage Plan members will earn one EQM for every mile flown on award tickets redeemed through Mileage Plan, regardless of cabin or partner airline.³² This is a rare and valuable perk in the airline industry, allowing frequent redeemers to also make progress towards earning or maintaining elite status. This change makes redemptions “count” towards status, a powerful incentive to consolidate both earning and redeeming activities with Alaska Airlines and a strategic move to retain high-value members who redeem heavily.

The combination of valuable miles, a diverse partner portfolio, the unique stopover policy, and now the ability to earn EQMs on award travel makes Mileage Plan a multifaceted and potentially highly rewarding program for travelers who invest the time to understand its nuances.

V. Navigating Program Changes (2024/2025)

The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is a dynamic program, subject to ongoing adjustments. Key recent and upcoming changes include:

• Shift to Distance-Based Partner Charts (March 2024): This has brought more consistency to partner award pricing but may have altered some of the most extreme “sweet spot” values that existed under previous individual partner agreements.⁷
• American Airlines Award Pricing: Awards on American Airlines reportedly moved to a more dynamic pricing model in late 2022.¹⁰
• Sunsetting of American Airlines Systemwide Upgrade Vouchers: Alaska will discontinue offering American Airlines systemwide upgrade vouchers (previously a perk for some top-tier Alaska elites) in 2025.⁴

Given these and other potential future modifications, “secrets” and optimal strategies can evolve. Continuous learning and staying updated on program announcements are essential for maximizing Mileage Plan. Loyalty programs constantly adapt due to airline partnerships, financial objectives, and competitive pressures in the industry.

VI. Conclusion: Your Path to Maximizing Alaska Miles

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan continues to offer compelling value for informed travelers. The key to unlocking its full potential lies in a diversified earning strategy—leveraging co-branded credit cards, transfer partners, and shopping/dining portals in addition to flying—and smart redemption tactics. Focusing on premium cabin awards with Alaska’s unique array of Oneworld and non-alliance partners, strategically utilizing the generous international stopover policy, and taking advantage of newer perks like EQM-earning on award flights are cornerstone strategies.

While the program evolves, its core strengths provide a solid foundation for achieving remarkable travel experiences. Flexibility, diligent research, and a willingness to explore the intricacies of partner awards will pave the way to turning Alaska miles into unforgettable dream trips.

Top Alaska Mileage Plan Sweet Spots (Examples)

Region/Partner	Cabin Class	Typical Mileage Range (One-Way, Starting At)	Key Tip/Secret
Japan Airlines (JAL) to Asia	Business	60,000+ miles 25	Book 11+ months out or last minute; look for multi-city stopover options.
Cathay Pacific to Asia	Business	50,000+ miles (historically) 25	Saver availability can be very limited; lower surcharges than some alternatives.
Finnair to Europe (via HEL)	Business	50,000+ miles 29	Excellent for Northern/Eastern Europe; check new distance-based charts.
LATAM Airlines to South America	Business	35,000+ miles 7	Good value for routes like NYC-LIM.
Fiji Airways to Australia/NZ	Business	55,000+ miles 23	Maximize value with a free stopover in Fiji.
Partner Short-Haul (e.g., <700mi Americas)	Economy	4,500+ miles 7	Useful for positioning flights or intra-regional hops.
Alaska Airlines to Hawaii	Economy	15,000+ miles 7	Good value from West Coast.

Note: Mileage rates are “starting at” and subject to saver award availability and program changes. Always verify on AlaskaAir.com.