Delta and Alaska Airlines Are Breaking up Next Year
What a busy few days it's been for Alaska Airlines! Last Wednesday, Alaska Airlines finalized its merger with Virgin America — answering many of our questions in the process. Today, Alaska Airlines announced a slew of flyer-friendly changes to its Mileage Plan — both for earning and redeeming miles. Finally, unwilling to be the third wheel of the Alaska and Virgin America marriage, Delta has now announced its breakup from the new Alaska Airlines.
Currently, Alaska and Delta have a codeshare agreement, a mileage-redemption agreement and reciprocal benefits for each other's elites. Alaska elites can get priority check-in and boarding, free upgrades and preferred seating on Delta. Delta Medallion Members get the same benefits on Alaska Airlines flights.
However, that's soon to end. According to a press release from Delta this morning, the two carriers will end their partnership effective May 1, 2017. This means you'll no longer be able to fly a Delta flight on an Alaska plane (i.e. codeshare agreement), you won't be able to redeem Delta miles for Alaska-operated flights and you won't get any benefits from being a Delta Medallion Member when traveling on Alaska. While Alaska Airlines hasn't released a statement about this breakup, we assume that the reverse will also be true. The ties aren't completely severed though; Alaska and Delta will maintain an interline agreement, allowing customers smoother ticketing and baggage connectivity.
If you've already booked a codeshare flight post-May 1, you're going to be "grandfathered" into the current mileage-earning system. Delta notes that "SkyMiles Members will not be able to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by Alaska Airlines unless a ticket was purchased before Dec. 19, 2016."
Bottom Line
In some aspects, this breakup shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Delta and Alaska have been going at each other constantly over the last few years — with Delta downgrading Alaska as a partner, Delta adding more flights from Seattle and Delta going after flyers in Alaska's hometown of Seattle.
However, as part of the Alaska-Virgin America merger, Alaska agreed to drop some codeshare agreements with American Airlines — not Delta. So, it seemed possible that Alaska and Delta were going to stay frenemies going forward. Or, maybe Delta was just stringing Alaska along.
In any case, the Alaska-Delta fight has been entertaining to watch over the past few years. Considering how Alaska and Delta treated each other as partners, we can only imagine how the gloves will come off after the breakup.
Are you saddened by this breakup?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.