Alaska changes how you earn miles as it prepares for entrance into Oneworld alliance
The much-anticipated entrance of Alaska Airlines into the Oneworld alliance happens this spring, on March 31, 2021.
Oneworld membership means the ability for Alaska customers to earn and burn miles across the alliance’s 13 member carriers -- in addition to the existing array of Alaska non-alliance partners.
However, come March 31, how you earn miles and get upgraded when flying on Alaska will also be changing.
On its website, Alaska quietly noted that "some fare classes and bonus levels will change" for travel on or after March 31. The complete list -- including a new award chart -- has now been unveiled.
This takes effect retroactively, so if you purchased a ticket with one of these fare classes by Feb. 23, 2021 for travel on or after March 31, your reservation will change (and so will your earnings).
First-class fare changes
Several weeks ago, we first saw changes to flights booked in Alaska's first-class cabin. That shift in fare classes is to closer align with Oneworld partners such as British Airways.
"F" class fares will convert to "J" and receive a 100% bonus; "P" class fares will convert to "D" and receive a 50% bonus. Flights booked in "I" class will receive a 50% bonus.
As you can see from the chart below, two fare classes will lose 25% of their mileage bonus, while the previous "F" fare (soon to be "J") will get a boost of 25%.
| Fare class (for travel before March 31) | Fare class now becomes (for travel on or after March 31) | Mileage bonus (for travel before March 31) | Mileage bonus (for travel on or after March 31) |
|---|---|---|---|
"F" | "J" | 75% | 100% |
"P" | "D" | 75% | 50% |
"I" | "I" | 75% | 50% |
N/A | "C" | N/A | 75% |
Implications on redeeming first-class awards
While two first-class fares get their bonuses cut by 25%, there is some good news when it comes to redeeming miles.
With these first-class fare realignments, it likely means cheaper British Airways Avios redemptions for Alaska first class. Essentially, first-class fare codes now become business class fare codes. While you need to call British Airways to book these awards, fewer miles for the same product is always a good thing.
Several years ago, American Airlines similarly realigned its fare classes so first-class on two-cabin flights booked into business instead of first.
Economy fare code changes
As you can see from the chart below, some economy fares are also changing how they're awarding bonus miles.
However, there are no major customer-facing changes as the fare classes are simply realigned and renamed. Notably, not a single economy fare code earns less than 100% of the base miles flown.
Instant upgrade change
Again, changes here are simply in accordance with the restructuring of fare classes, but there is one notable shift.
Previously, fully flexible economy awards booked into the "Z" class and were eligible for instant elite upgrades. Alaska isn't eliminating those awards, it's just changing the fare class to "Y."
The carrier confirmed that award tickets booked into "Y" class are not eligible to earn miles, but they are eligible for instant upgrades.
Bottom line
As Alaska is set to join Oneworld, some first-class and economy fare codes are changing, which impacts earning miles and elite upgrade prioritization.
Alaska says that it will convert tickets on February 24 for tickets purchased by Feb. 23, 2021 for travel on or after March 31. That means even if you purchased a ticket before today -- for travel on or after March 31 -- you will still be locked into the new mileage earning rates. However, Alaska notes that it will not affect previously upgraded flights or your place on the upgrade waitlist.
The Seattle-based carrier is one of only a handful of airlines that allow you to earn miles based on the distance flown. While Alaska has committed to that strategy -- instead of switching to a revenue-based earning structure -- changes to how you earn miles weren't off the table and appear to be happening now.
Thankfully, these changes are relatively minor and will facilitate ease of earning and redeeming across the Oneworld alliance come spring.
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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. (Partner offer)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.