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Alaska Airlines offering free flight to new CA members, discounts for all

March 01, 2021
3 min read
Alaska Airlines offering free flight to new CA members, discounts for all
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Alaska Airlines has been working hard to build its presence on the West Coast, and the carrier hasn't appeared to slow down much during the pandemic.

Now, Alaska is hoping to boost awareness around its recent expansion by offering new Mileage Plan members an opportunity to book a one-way or round-trip flight within California for just the cost of taxes and fees — starting at $15 each way.

Currently, the carrier's nonstop intra-California routes include:

  • Los Angeles (LAX): Fresno (FAT), San Francisco, San Jose (SJC), Santa Rosa (STS)
  • San Diego (SAN): Fresno, Monterey (MRY), San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Rosa
  • San Francisco (SFO): Los Angeles, Orange County (SNA), Palm Springs (PSP), San Diego

This promotion is limited to the first 25,000 eligible California residents to sign up for a new Mileage Plan account at this dedicated page by March 3, 2021.

The promo is limited to new members — according to the airline, " Duplicate Mileage Plan accounts created for one individual will be deactivated. Creation of duplicate accounts may result in suspension of your Mileage Plan account."

The discount may apply to any of Alaska's intra-California flights. (Screenshot courtesy of GCMap.)

After you're enrolled, expect to receive a discount code on March 5, 2021 which you can then use by 11:59pm PT on March 7 to book an intra-California trip for travel Mondays through Thursdays between March 29 and May 26, 2021. The "R" fare class must be available in order to score a discount on any given flight between March 29 and March 30, while "G" class is required beginning March 31.

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Alaska also has an offer for existing Mileage Plan members — flyers can save up to 30% on flights to or from California (excluding Hawaii) by entering code SAFETYDANCE into the discount code field. Exclusions apply, as outlined on this page.

Alaska's Mileage Plan program is set to get even more rewarding when the carrier joins American Airlines in the Oneworld alliance later this year. All members will be able to earn and redeem miles with Oneworld airlines, such as American, British Airways and Cathay Pacific, while elite flyers will be able to enjoy their benefits while flying AA and other Oneworld carriers as well.

It's especially easy to earn Alaska status at the moment, as well — the carrier is currently offering a match for Delta, Southwest and United elites, giving flyers until April 15, 2021 to request status all the way up to top-tier MVP Gold 75K, with perks valid through the end of 2021.

Featured image by (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
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  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
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Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
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Rewards Rate

3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

    Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles
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  • Annual Fee

    $250
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees