Alaska Airlines devalues Japan Airlines awards without notice, increasing award rates by up to 100%
Kyle Olsen is a points and miles reporter at TPG. Since the age of 16, he has been pursuing elite status, visiting 75 countries across six continents. His passion for travel began with his own business which he started at age 13. He is now an expert at maximizing points, miles, and elite status across all major programs.
March 14, 2023
•
3 min read
Alaska Airlines devalues Japan Airlines awards without notice, increasing award rates by up to 100%
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Alaska Airlines isn't showing any TLC to its Mileage Plan members.
After publishing different award rates for each of its partners in December and spiking award rates and taxes on some partner flights in January, the airline is back at devaluations.
Now, Mileage Plan has increased Japan Airlines award rates by up to 100%, as View from the Wing first reported.
As with each of these changes, Alaska hasn't given advance notice to its Mileage Plan members, which is troubling since Alaska promised TPG when it joined the Oneworld frequent flyer alliance that it would “strive to give at least 90 days’ notice if changes are coming to any current partner awards.”
This is what you need to know about the most recent Japan Airlines changes.
New award rates
Here's a look at some of the award changes affecting both inbound and outbound flights from Japan.
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| Destination | Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Coast | 35,000 miles (no change). | 60,000 miles (no change). | 85,000 miles (18% increase). |
| Midwest and East Coast | 45,000 miles (29% increase). | 80,000 miles (33% increase). | 100,000 miles (43% increase). |
| Asia | 25,000 miles (43% increase). | 50,000 miles (100% increase). | N/A. |
While none of these changes are favorable, inter-Asia business-class redemptions have been disproportionately devalued.
Up until this round of changes, Alaska Airlines offered the nine-hour hop from Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) to Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) for just 25,000 miles in business class.
Now, this flight, in addition to other Japan Airlines destinations like Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK), will cost 50,000 miles in business class.
Related: How to redeem miles with the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program
Bottom line
Alaska Airlines has increased award rates on Japan Airlines without notice. Now, you'll need to redeem some 100,000 miles one-way to travel from the Midwest and East Coast to Japan in first class.
We've been longtime fans of Alaska's award rates, but with recent devaluations, we recommend checking award rates on other Oneworld partners (like Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and American Airlines AAdvantage) before redeeming Alaska miles.
Featured image by JAMES MATSUMOTO/SOPA IMAGES/LIGHTROCKET/GETTY IMAGES
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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- 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.
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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.
- 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.
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- See Rates & Fees