Secrets to finding great value in award miles
Anyone who flies should open an account with their airline’s loyalty program; it’s free, and even infrequent travelers might someday accumulate enough credit for an award flight, especially if they take advantage of the many ways to earn miles besides flying, such as staying at hotels, renting cars, using a credit card, or even sending…
The savage beauty of winter in Iceland
During the deepest darkest parts of winter most people dream of a vacation somewhere warm and tropical. But me, I dream of clear cold days and dark long nights in one of the northernmost countries in the world. I’m not alone either. While Iceland’s high season still centers around its brief summer, more and more…
How to book a stopover on your next award
Would you rather relax on the beach or explore an urban jungle? With stopovers, you can do both on your next award trip. You’re all set to redeem your Mileage Plan miles – but wait! Did you know that Alaska Airlines allows you to include a free stopover on many award tickets? They allow you…
How to make the most of a stopover in Iceland
Iceland is a tiny island surrounded by icy ocean; its nearest neighbors are icebergs and whales. Given that, it would be easy to miss Iceland completely, except that the country is perfectly placed midway between the United States and Europe. This makes it a perfect stopover for those journeying across the Atlantic. And, if you’re…
Customer Q&A on Mileage Plan earn rates change for American Airlines flights
Beginning Aug. 1, 2016, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members will accrue miles at a new rate when they fly on American Airlines flights. As the AAdvantage program shifts to a revenue-based loyalty program, accruals on American for Alaska frequent fliers will change to better match American’s new program. The miles a flier accrues will be…
Treat yourself: More upgrades with Alaska Airlines’ new Premium Class
Now, it’s easier than ever to treat yourself to a little something extra. Today Alaska Airlines customers have the option to upgrade to its new Premium Class section, providing more opportunity for customers to upgrade to an elevated onboard experience.
Alaska Mileage Plan enhancements and changes to Delta relationship
Today Alaska Airlines announced a few major changes to its Mileage Plan. First, the Seattle-based airline is upping the loyalty game by making its award-winning Mileage Plan more generous with the announcement of four flier-friendly enhancements. Second, its relationship with Delta Air Lines will end April 30, 2017. So what does all this mean for…
Welcome to Mileage Plan: Let’s take a tour
With the merger of Alaska Airlines and Virgin America complete, two award-winning airlines are joining forces to provide a great customer experience. This week, Virgin America Elevate members are being invited to activate new Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan accounts and convert points to earn and redeem rewards across both networks. You can take your Elevate…
2016 year in review: Mileage Plan by the numbers
Last year was a big year for Alaska Mileage Plan members. While the airline was busy adding new benefits, members were literally flying around the world. Over the course of 12 months, Alaska’s frequent fliers said goodbye to foreign transaction fees on their Alaska Airlines Visa Signature cards and enjoyed new perks including lower prices…
How to maximize your Alaska Mileage Plan elite status
Some travelers earn elite status by accident, a byproduct of traveling for work. Other people are tempted by the possibility of upgrades and bonus miles and do everything they can to qualify. Whichever camp you fall into, Alaska Mileage Plan has some unique benefits that go over and above the competition. By familiarizing yourself with…
How I got started as a frequent flyer
Scott and sister on an award trip to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific in 2015 Although I’ve been writing my travel blog for several years, it surprises many people to learn that I first became interested in frequent flyer programs when I was a graduate student in neurobiology. It was the first time I had this much freedom to set my…
Alaska’s new Elite Leave protects your status during parental leave
Ask any new parent and they’ll tell you – the newborn period is rough. You’re tired, you’re stressed, and you probably have a mountain of paperwork to complete. If you’re a new parent who’s a frequent flyer, you may also find yourself a tad nervous about what’s going to happen to your elite status while…
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