Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Takes High Honors at 19th Annual Freddie Awards

The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan captured three first-place awards — more than any other U.S. carrier — Thursday at InsideFlyer magazine’s 19th Annual Freddie Awards. Based on votes cast by more than 440,000 frequent fliers, the Freddie Awards are among the most prestigious consumer-generated honors in the travel industry.

Alaska received first-place honors for "Best Elite-Level Program" for the second consecutive year, "Best Member Communications" for the fifth year and "Best Web Site" for the fourth year. Alaska also netted second-place awards for "Program of the Year," "Best Award" and "Best Award Redemption."

"We’re honored to receive so many Freddie Awards, and thank our frequent fliers for giving Alaska such a big vote of confidence," said Rick Rasmussen, Alaska’s director of loyalty marketing. "These honors reflect the unique relationship our employees build with our most frequent customers and the innovations we offer — such as one-way awards — to make travel easier and more flexible."

Alaska Airlines recently became the first major U.S. airline to offer one- way mileage awards, allowing customers to book one-way travel for half the mileage of round-trip awards. When traveling round trip, customers can combine different types of one-way tickets, including Saver and Peak Awards, coach and first-class awards, and purchased tickets.

The Freddie Awards were introduced in 1988 by InsideFlyer magazine publisher Randy Petersen. They are named after aviation pioneer Sir Freddie Laker who founded Britain’s first all-jet carrier, Laker Airways Limited, in 1966.

Mileage Plan members can earn and redeem mileage on more than a dozen airlines, including more major U.S. airlines than any other frequent flier program. The program offers additional opportunities to earn miles through an extensive network of partners, including the Alaska Airlines Visa credit and debit cards, Mileage Plan Shopping, Mileage Plan Dining, Safeway and more than 30 hotel and car rental partners worldwide.

Alaska Airlines and sister carrier, Horizon Air, serve 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico. This year Alaska Airlines celebrates its 75th anniversary, marking the airline’s growth from a single-aircraft operation in 1932 to one of the largest U.S. carriers. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

FCMN Contact: maria.koenig@alaskaair.com

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines