You can now redeem Alaska miles on Royal Air Maroc — but here’s why you shouldn’t
It's already been over nine months since Alaska Airlines joined Oneworld, and alliance-wide redemptions are still unavailable. These redemptions were supposed to go live last summer, but that's since been delayed to early 2022.
Still, Alaska has been gradually making redemptions available on more partners. In July, Alaska added redemptions on Qatar Airways, with Iberia following in December.
Now, there's another Oneworld partner you can redeem your Alaska miles on — Morocco's flag carrier, Royal Air Maroc. However, the redemption rates are steep and suggest that a devaluation of the Mileage Plan program could be imminent.
Redeeming Alaska miles for Royal Air Maroc flights
Royal Air Maroc awards are bookable online through Alaska's website. Each Alaska partner has its own award chart, and Royal Air Maroc is no different. Unfortunately, the award chart is much less valuable than most other partners.
You can find these award charts on Alaska's website. To give you an idea, here are the one-way award rates for travel on Royal Air Maroc between eligible regions:
- North America to Africa: 50,000 miles in economy, 100,000 miles in business class
- North America to Europe: 60,000 miles in economy, 120,000 miles in business class
- North America to the Middle East: 65,000 miles in economy, 150,000 miles in business class
- Africa to Europe: 17,500 miles in economy, 35,000 miles in business class
- Africa to the Middle East: 32,500 miles in economy, 70,000 miles in business class
- Africa to Africa: 20,000 miles in economy, 45,000 miles in business class
Keep in mind, Alaska doesn't allow you to mix airline partners, though you can add Alaska flights to a partner itinerary. Also, you can add a free stopover in Royal Air Maroc's hub, Casablanca (CMN), on long-haul itineraries between regions.
Although the taxes and fees on these awards are low and a free stopover is nice, overall, these rates aren't a good deal.
Take North America to Europe rates, for example. If you were to redeem your Alaska miles for an American Airlines award between these regions, you'd pay as little as 22,500 miles for economy and 57,500 miles for business class. Compare that to 60,000 miles for Royal Air Maroc in economy and 120,000 miles for business class.
For an even more extreme example, remember that you can book $10,000+ Cathay Pacific or Japan Airlines first class flights between North America and Asia for just 70,000 miles — much less than what you'd pay for Royal Air Maroc in business class.
Even if you're set on flying Royal Air Maroc, you can do much better by booking through other programs. For example, American Airlines AAdvantage charges 22,500 to 30,000 miles for economy awards between North America and Europe (including Morocco) and 57,500 miles for business class.
Meanwhile, Etihad Guest charges a flat 22,000 miles in economy class and just 44,000 miles in business class for all nonstop Royal Air Maroc flights over 2,000 miles in length. Etihad is a 1:1 transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One and Citi ThankYou.
Related: Fly to Morocco in business class for just 44,000 Etihad miles
Is an Alaska devaluation coming?
Unfortunately, this news only strengthens my suspicions that a devaluation of the Mileage Plan program is coming.
Alaska's newest redemption partners generally have poor redemption values compared to Alaska's original partners. For instance, Iberia awards between the U.S. and Europe cost 35,000 miles in economy and 75,000 miles in business. While not as steep as Royal Air Maroc, these rates are still higher than flying American or British Airways. Similarly, the redemption rates for Qatar Airways awards are higher than through other programs, like AAdvantage.
Although Alaska has said that it would give at least 90 days' notice if changes are coming to any current partner awards, it seems inevitable that it will want to closer align redemption rates. Offering first-class awards to Asia for less than a business class award to Europe won't make sense in the long run once borders reopen.
Another issue is that many charts now only show starting award prices, meaning Alaska could devalue redemption rates without notice.
Related: The latest on Alaska's Oneworld partnership
Bottom line
Alaska started offering mileage earning on Royal Air Maroc as soon as it joined the Oneworld alliance. Today's news is that you can now also redeem on the airline. Unfortunately, the redemption rates are not attractive and could suggest a devaluation is coming to the program.
Right now, there's no update on when exactly alliance-wide redemptions will become available other than "early 2022." TPG will keep you updated on any developments.
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| 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
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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.