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Big news: Alaska Mileage Plan publishes new partner award chart
Katie Genter
Lead writer
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
Dec. 28, 2022
•
4 min read
Big news: Alaska Mileage Plan publishes new partner award chart
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In September, we learned that Alaska Mileage Plan would change how it displayed award charts later in the year. Alaska added the following note to its website back in September:
"Starting late December, the way you view award charts online is changing. We’ll have a simplified award chart to show you where award levels start based on which regions you’re traveling from and to. With this change, similar to awards on Alaska, partner award levels may vary depending on multiple factors including route, distance, or demand. You’ll continue to be able to enjoy great value for your miles. As always, the best way to view pricing and availability for the routes you’re interested in flying is to search for your specific travel dates and destinations."
Now with just a few days left in 2022, the new award charts are live. Here's the North American award chart currently visible on the Alaska Mileage Plan award chart page:
The contiguous U.S., Alaska and Canada starting rates aren't higher than what we'd previously seen for Alaska-operated awards (see the chart in our article about Alaska Airlines' first-class award changes in early 2022). And Alaska had already started pricing American-operated awards based on distance.
There isn't a maximum price listed. So, the award rates you'll see when doing live award searches should start at the rates listed and expand from there.
Related: Maximizing redemptions with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
As a frequent award traveler, I'm worried more about the international award chart. Alaska's award charts previously let you input an origin and destination region before showing you the rates (listed as starting rates for some carriers). Rates varied by operating airline, with some charging much lower rates than others for travel between the same regions.
Now, the award chart listed online is much less useful. Here's the international award chart:
Yes, that's it. Now Alaska's award chart page only lists starting award rates for flights originating in the U.S. or Canada. If you want to originate elsewhere, the website says, "For award levels to and from points outside of the US and Canada, search for your desired destination and dates to view pricing."
According to the terms under the new award chart, the "‘starting at’ amount represents the estimated minimum award prices on one or more of our partner airlines." The terms also state you can't stopover on awards "within international regions (e.g. intra-Asia or Intra-Europe)."
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On the bright side, the starting rates for some of the best Alaska Mileage Plan sweet spots seem unaffected. I'm hopeful that Alaska grew tired of adding new partners to its award charts and that we won't suddenly start seeing higher award pricing for some of our favorite partners.
In some quick award searches, I found you can still fly business class on Cathay Pacific from New York to Hong Kong for 50,000 miles.
You can still fly business class on Fiji Airways from the U.S. to Australia for 55,000 miles.
And you can still book business class on LATAM from Miami to Buenos Aires for 45,000 miles.
Maybe these award rates will remain and Alaska Mileage Plan just changed how it displays its award charts, but there's no guarantee.
Regardless, these changes mean Alaska Mileage Plan has unlocked the ability to charge higher award pricing for partner awards that used to have a set award rate. And that's likely not good for award travelers. If you have a stash of Alaska miles, consider redeeming them soon to lock in some of the program's best award tickets.
Featured image 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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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 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. (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.