Alaska Airlines Formally Announces New Mileage Partnership With El Al
Alaska Airlines is one of the most valuable mileage currencies in TPG's monthly valuations thanks to the diverse array of partners and valuable rewards it provides. Rather than being a part of an alliance, the carrier has inked deals with individual airlines for earning and/or redeeming Mileage Plan miles. And today, Alaska has formally announced a new partner.
Starting July 1, you'll be able to earn Alaska miles on flights operated by El Al. This is a terrific development for anyone with paid El Al flights to Israel, and it'll hopefully expand to award tickets in the future as well (though details aren't currently available for that possible side of the partnership). Assuming it does go live at some point, it'll represent a massive step forward for those looking to redeem points and miles to get to Israel. El Al hasn't always had the most up-to-date in-flight product, but the carrier's new 787 is a major step up in this regard.
Let's dive into the details of this partnership in its current form.
Earning Miles
The chart for earning Alaska miles on El Al-operated flights matches the one that was accidentally published last last week, and it applies to all paid fare classes, though naturally deeply-discounted economy tickets will accrue at a much lower rate based on the distance of the flight.
What's especially interesting is that the mileage-earning chart lists P class as an eligible Premium Economy fare, even though that's the fare bucket El Al uses for Premium Economy awards and upgrades according to ExpertFlyer.
The other award and upgrade classes aren't listed in the above chart and are thus not eligible for mileage accrual.
It's also worth noting that base miles and class of service bonuses will count towards elite status qualification, giving you yet another airline to help you earn or requalify for Alaska MVP elite status.
Redeeming Miles
This is (of course) the most anticipated aspect of any new partnership, and unfortunately we don't yet have any details on using Alaska miles on El Al. Instead, there's a cryptic message that indicates this will come in the future:
"Award redemption isn't available at this time, but will be at a later date."
The press release announcing the partnership specifically highlights the upcoming ability to redeem El Al's Matmid miles on Alaska flights. However, it doesn't even mention the other way around. We reached out to Alaska for confirmation on these items and were told that "Mileage Plan members will be able to redeem miles on El Al at a later date, to be announced," so as of now, you're limited to earning Alaska miles on El Al flights.
Once the redemption ability goes live, it'll be interesting to see how these award rates compare to Qantas Frequent Flyer, the other main option for booking El Al award flights. Qantas partners with both Citi ThankYou Rewards (1:1 transfer ratio) and Capital One (2:1.5 transfer ratio), giving US-based flyers a number of ways to book these flights using credit card rewards.
Here's a list of the current (or planned) US destinations to which El Al operates from Tel Aviv (TLV):
- Boston (BOS)
- Chicago-O'Hare (ORD), service slated to start in 2020
- Las Vegas (LAS), service starts June 14, 2019
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Miami (MIA)
- New York-JFK
- Newark (EWR)
- San Francisco (SFO)
Given that both Los Angeles and San Francisco are Alaska hubs (since its merger with Virgin America), you'd hopefully have a variety of ways to get from the US to Israel with just a single stop through this new partnership.
Since Qantas uses a distance-based award chart rather than region-based (like Alaska's), here's how nonstop, one-way awards between the above cities and Tel Aviv price with Qantas points:
| US Destination | Qantas Frequent Flyer |
|---|---|
| Boston (BOS) |
|
| Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) |
|
| Las Vegas (LAS) |
|
| Los Angeles (LAX) |
|
| Miami (MIA) |
|
| New York-JFK |
|
| Newark (EWR) |
|
| San Francisco (SFO) |
|
These are relatively high for one-way award tickets to the Middle East compared to other major loyalty programs, so hopefully Alaska's rates will be more affordable.
Bottom Line
Alaska Airlines is one of the most valuable airline currencies out there, and adding an additional partner is always a great development. While El Al isn't exactly a major carrier compared to some of Alaska's other international airline partners, the addition of El Al from an earning standpoint as of July 1, 2019 is a great development for US-based travelers.
However, it remains to be seen exactly how this new partnership will help with award travel to Israel, as redemption is not currently available. Fingers crossed it will open up a new, more affordable award option for these flights.
This article has been updated with confirmation from Alaska that award tickets will be available on El Al at a later date.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.