Alaska Airlines announced many changes for its Mileage Plan program last week. But what caught my eye was the change that will allow Mileage Plan members to earn 1 elite-qualifying mile for every mile flown on award travel, including travel on partner airlines.
Although United Airlines and Delta Air Lines allow members to earn toward elite status on award tickets, they limit earnings to flights they operate. However, Alaska would allow elite-qualifying earnings on all Mileage Plan awards, including those operated by its Oneworld partners.
I fly on Oneworld airlines frequently, sometimes on paid fares but often on award tickets. Although I have American Airlines elite status, I don’t get any elite earnings when I fly on AAdvantage award tickets.
As such, I’m considering whether to switch my Oneworld loyalty from American — where I’ve held Platinum Pro status or higher since 2016 and will likely reach AAdvantage lifetime status within the next year — to Alaska. After all, it would only take me three or four long-haul, round-trip economy award tickets each year to maintain a Mileage Plan status similar to what I currently have with American, plus the benefit of earning on award tickets sweetens the deal for me.
Even if you aren’t interested in switching to Alaska, this is a good reminder to reassess whether your loyalty programs are still best for you. It’s easy to keep using the same programs out of habit — and you may forgo benefits temporarily while you switch — but it’s still worth considering your options.
To learn more about the Alaska Mileage Plan changes and airline elite status, check out these stories:
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