Top 5: The Best Ways To Leverage Your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles (2024)

Many see Alaska Airlines as a region-focused carrier. However, it is the tenth-largest airline in the US and has a competitive mileage program. The airline enables its mileage members to use miles in various ways. From award flights and hotels to in-flight extras and magazine subscriptions, mileage members can get great value for their mile earnings. This article explores the best ways to use Alaska Airlines miles.

1 Flights with Alaska Airlines

Must be booked through Alaska Airlines

Redeeming Alaska Airlines miles for its flights is the best way of utilizing miles. With a small portion of fees and taxes, passengers can book award travel directly at Alaska Airlines. The airline operates its own aircraft to numerous destinations in the contiguous US, Canada, Hawaii, Central America, and the Caribbean.

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The airline also offers money and miles offers, enabling members to substitute cash for flights. It offers discounts of up to $200 with 20,000 miles for the Contiguous US, Alaska, and Canada. Flights booked with miles will incur a small security fee and may also be subject to a call center booking fee. Economy travels across North and Central America on wholly operated Alaska Airlines flights can be done for as little as 5,000 miles.

2 Flights with partner airlines

Award flights to over 1,000 destinations worldwide

• Starting at 15,000 miles in Business Class
• Free international stopover
• No penalties for changes or cancelations
• No blackout dates for flights on Alaska

Flights to Asia

Flights from the US to Asia will cost mileage members 60,000 miles each way. Alaska partners with plenty of Asia-Pacific airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, and Japan Airlines. It is easier than ever to hop on an Alaska Airlines flight to one of the major US airports to connect to Asian destinations.

Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

Flights to the Middle East or Africa

The best value for Alaska miles can be achieved through its use with partner airlines. Members can enjoy flights from the US to the Middle East onboard Qatar Airways Q-Suites - one of the highly coveted business cabins. Flights can be booked for as low as 85,000 miles each way.

Further connections to Asia and the subcontinent may require additional miles. For example, flights to the Seychelles islands start at 110,000 miles, with a free international stopover. There are numerous other flight possibilities and destinations.

3 Flight upgrades

15,000 miles to upgrade to First Class

• Only on Alaska Airlines-operated flights
• Also includes SkyWest operating on behalf of Alaska
• Upgrades are valid for each flight leg and do not include stopovers

One way to redeem Alaska Airlines miles is through flight upgrades. Mileage members can upgrade their flights to First Class cabins starting at 15,000 miles. Upgrades can be requested anytime after the booking has been made, up until 24 hours prior to departure. First Class passengers receive luxury seats, extra legroom, priority check-in and boarding, and complimentary beverages.

Photo:Robin Guess | Shutterstock

Upgrades are only available on Alaska-operated flights. According to Alaska Airlines,

“Mileage upgrades are valid on flights operated by Alaska Airlines and by SkyWest operating on behalf of Alaska Airlines. Mileage upgrades are booked in "U" Class and are subject to availability. Upgrades do not include stopovers, and exclude award travel, Saver fares, and industry discounts.”

One caveat is that miles can only be used to upgrade to first class, not premium class.

4 Hotels for miles

Mileage members can select from over 400,000 properties worldwide

• A dedicated hotel platform
• Earn more miles while redeeming miles on hotels
• Members can use a combination of cash and miles

Alaska Airlines provides a dedicated platform for members to choose and book from over 400,000 properties worldwide. Members can earn up to 10,000 additional miles per reservation to be used in future transactions. The number of miles required for a stay varies based on the location and days.

Photo: Alaska Airlines

According to Alaska Airlines,

“Whether you're planning a quick weekend escape or a long vacation for the whole family, you can now use miles to book hotel stays with Alaska Airlines Hotels, powered by Rocketmiles. You can pay for your entire stay with miles or use a combination of miles and cash. Plus, Alaska Airlines credit cardholders can redeem using fewer miles.”

5 Alaska Extras

A range of experiences and events

• In-flight WiFi
• Select restaurants and food places
• Select shopping outlets
• Sports and music events

Are you left with a few miles that are not good for a flight or hotels? Alaska Extras opens up many activities and experiences that can be used for miles. Members can purchase onboard Wi-Fi for as low as 750 miles. The Extras platform allows members to select the miles they want to spend.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

Extra products, including restaurants and cafés, shopping stores, and select merchandise, can be filtered based on the miles criteria. Sports and music events can also be purchased through miles. Members can always purchase more miles to top up their balance.

What are your thoughts on several ways to redeem Alaska Airlines miles? Have you used the airlines’ miles recently? Share your experience in the comments section.