Changes continue to slowly permeate — some people may use the word erode — the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan frequent flier loyalty program; and the latest changes were not accompanied by any official announcement, as the pricing of award travel for a seat in the first class cabin on flights which are operated by Alaska Airlines between several regions will require redeeming as much as 25,000 additional Mileage Plan miles each way.
Award Tickets Increase in Price Effective March 1 2022 For First Class Seats Between Several Regions on Alaska Airlines
Effective as of Tuesday, March 1, 2022, the maximum amount of Mileage Plan miles which will be required to redeem for a seat in the first class cabin on an award ticket will increase to as high as 95,000 Mileage Plan miles on some flights, as indicated in the chart below.
| From the Continental United States, Alaska, and Canada to or from: |
Jump: Trips Between 1,401 Miles and 2,100 Miles Until Monday, February 28, 2022 |
Jump: Trips Between 1,401 Miles and 2,100 Miles Effective As Of Tuesday, March 1, 2022 |
Leap: Trips Longer Than 2,101 Miles Until Monday, February 28, 2022 |
Leap: Trips Longer Than 2,101 Miles Effective As Of Tuesday, March 1, 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Continental United States, Alaska, and Canada | 25,000 Mileage Plan Miles — 60,000 Mileage Plan Miles Each Way | 25,000 Mileage Plan Miles — 70,000 Mileage Plan Miles Each Way | 30,000 Mileage Plan Miles — 70,000 Mileage Plan Miles Each Way | 30,000 Mileage Plan Miles — 95,000 Mileage Plan Miles Each Way |
| Central America | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 30,000 Mileage Plan Miles — 70,000 Mileage Plan Miles Each Way | 30,000 Mileage Plan Miles — 95,000 Mileage Plan Miles Each Way |
| Hawaii | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 40,000 Mileage Plan Miles — 80,000 Mileage Plan Miles Each Way | 40,000 Mileage Plan Miles — 95,000 Mileage Plan Miles Each Way |
| Mexico | 30,000 Mileage Plan Miles — 60,000 Mileage Plan Miles Each Way | 25,000 Mileage Plan Miles — 70,000 Mileage Plan Miles Each Way | 30,000 Mileage Plan Miles — 70,000 Mileage Plan Miles Each Way | 30,000 Mileage Plan Miles — 95,000 Mileage Plan Miles Each Way |
Final Boarding Call
On its own, the aforementioned changes to the Mileage Plan award chart might seem to be much ado about nothing…
…but this latest news comes only eight days after news that award pricing on flights which are operated by American Airlines in the United States and Canada may vary depending on demand — meaning that the amount of Mileage Plan miles which will be need to redeem for an affected flight could be more or less than what is stated in the award chart — to be effective as of Tuesday, March 1, 2022 while the current award prices will continue to be available.
At least one month of quiet notice was given pertaining to this change — unlike on Thursday, March 31, 2016, when Alaska Airlines gave no advance warning or notice whatsoever of the devaluation of premium class award travel on flights which were operated by Emirates Airline.
This leaves members of the Mileage Plan program wondering what will be the next perceived negative change — as well as when it will occur…
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.
