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Alaska ends intra-Asia stopovers, devalues Singapore Airlines redemptions within region

Oct. 16, 2019
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2 min read
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Alaska ends intra-Asia stopovers, devalues Singapore Airlines redemptions within region
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If you're a fan of Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan and use the program for intra-Asia travel, listen up because I have some bad news for you.

On Alaska's award chart webpage, you'll now find the following at the bottom of the page when you select flights within Asia: "Stopovers are not available on intra-Asia award redemptions." This includes Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Hainan Airlines.

Before these changes, you could book award flights within Asia with Alaska miles and add a free stopover, including one-way award tickets. There were some restrictions, however, including the inability to combine partners on a single award ticket. It does appear that stopovers for itineraries originating from the U.S. haven't been affected.

Additionally, as The Shutterwhale reports, Alaska has devalued intra-Asia redemptions on Singapore Airlines without notice.

The airline used to charge 25,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles for a one-way business-class flight between Singapore and China on Singapore Airlines. Now, it will cost 60,000 miles (or 2.4x more) for the same flight.

Alaska has partnered with Singapore since 2017. Just last week, Alaska added the ability to redeem miles on Singapore-operated flights. Amazingly, it even applied to Singapore’s business class and first-class Suites. TPG's Nick Ewen, at the time, was able to find Singapore business-class availability between Singapore and Hong Kong for just 25,000 miles one-way. TPG staffers were even able to find first-class tickets on some shorter routes, like Singapore (SIN) to Hong Kong (HKG) on the A380 for just 35,000 miles.

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Here's the new award chart for intra-Asia flights on Singapore Airlines booked with Alaska miles:

We've reached out to Alaska and will update when we have more information.

Featured image by Getty Images

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • $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.